I’ve been off reviewing Walsall chip shops again as I’m finding it increasingly moreish. Here’s 4 more for your delectation.

Carol’s Chippy, 125 Franchise Street, Darlaston, Walsall.

There is a tradition in our family that dates back centuries. The weekend before your 49th birthday, you have to demolish fish and chips. Eager to keep my forefathers happy I left work at the Manor Hospital and headed for the conveniently located 39 bus stop. Said bus arrived shortly afterwards and before long I was in Darlaston and heading to a chip shop that I was a regular at when working nearby in the 1990’s.

As I approached the shop Andy Bush on Absolute Radio announced that The Clash would be on next, now as much as I like that band, I was peckish and didn’t want to wait around listening to whatever song it would be and as there was no queue I headed in. There is choice in this place. My God there is choice. Signs in the window. 3 TV screens with menus are inside and most of the remaining wall space has other menus or food pictures. I opted for the £6.60 medium cod box. Fish, chips and choice of sauce (gravy of course as it’s the law.

Service was quick and to my surprise the box was sealed with strips of sellotape. That’s never happened before but it must be a common part of the service as there was two tape dispensers on the counter.

By the time I’d got served, found a suitable wall for photo taking purposes, broken the sellotape, taken the picture and put my headphones back on I’d missed The Clash. With the two pubs on Franchise Street both now departed there was nothing to loiter around for so I ate as I walked. Trying to balance the box, eat and not spill any of the gravy in the very full pot made it feel a bit like It’s A Knockout as I ambled along but the food was epic. Really good. Chips divine and fish bang on.

A successful visit although it was sad that Carol wasn’t behind the counter but it has been 25 years since I last went in so she may have sold up. I got my fix of The Clash by playing Bankrobber when I got home.

Copper Fish, 1 Leamore Lane, Leamore Lane, Lemore, Walsall.

There is a tradition in our family that dates back centuries. The weekend after your 49th birthday you have to demolish fish and chips etc etc. Another straight from work jobbie this time jumping on the 32 to Leamore. The 31 was also in but I don’t like odd numbers so I ignored that one.

I met Dave by Farmfoods and we strolled over. I sent him in to the shop first to distract the staff whist I took a picture of the place. All good. There was a sign in the window proclaiming “We serve kebabs that you can trust”. I don’t have trust issues especially with food so there was no need to deviate away from plan A which was fish and chips.

I’d tried to do a bit of research about the menu earlier in the day but the most recent post on their Facebook was about The Queen dying. Now I’m a massive Royalist but even I was thinking “come on, it’s been months now. Let it go and post something about chips”. So I had no clues to the menu as I headed over but it’s a chip shop, so I knew I was on safe ground.

They do curry sauce and Chinese curry sauce which was exciting as you normally only get one option, but it wasn’t exciting enough to tempt me away from the gravy. I scanned the menu in search of material to write about and as I did that I missed the start of the conversation of the old lady next to me. I’m not an eavesdropper but I tuned in to the second part of her chat which was about how she always counts her chicken nuggets in McDonalds as she usually only gets 17 or 18 instead of the 20 ordered. Is Hamburglar now targeting nuggets instead of Ronald’s beef goodness? Either way it sounds like this lady needs to stick to kebabs that she can trust.

Service was quick and very friendly. The package was quite hefty which made me glad I’d done a manual handling refresher course at work the previous week. The total was £10.80. The bundle was wrapped in 4 sheets of paper which brought back happy memories of playing Pass The Parcel as an 8 year old. Chips were ok but the fish was really good. Nice first visit to the place this one.

Sandbank Fish Bar, 95A Elmore Green Road, Bloxwich.

It was National Fish & Chip Day. Well, it had to be done. Rob Harvey picked me up and off we set. Another first time visit this one so it was all very exciting.

Service was quick and the young lady serving was very friendly, enquiring about my day. I explained about it being National Fish & Chip Day and she said it was always that day when she was working. Good point. Me and Rob both had fish and chips but he caused outrage on my behalf by ordering a portion of mushrooms.

The fish and chips were both freshly cooked for us. Rob requested extra salt on his so the lady mentioned that she had marked mine with a star so I knew which was which. I liked this. I’ve not received a star since my school days. Actually that’s fake news. I was crap at school (no O levels Evo they call me), and I don’t recall ever earning a star at either of the shit holes I went to.

Anyway I digress. A comment on the one blackboard read “Keep calm and order fish & chips”. Box ticked. There is a small tv to keep you entertained but I couldn’t tell you what programme was being shown. There is also one chair so lads, let the missus sit and earn some gentleman points.

Our fishes were wrapped separately to the chips which was something I’ve not encountered before but we were soon sat on the car park to the side with the doors open and the sun smiling down on us. It was a big portion and I had to leave some chips but it was a very good visit, especially as Rob paid for my food.

We timed it well as by the time we had finished eating, the shutter had gone down on the shop. A very successful mission.

Chipmasters, 166 Wolverhampton Road, Walsall.

What do normal people do on the hottest day of the year so far? Go for a nice amble in country? Pub beer garden with friends? Or sit on sweltering buses in search of hot fried potato strips? Yeah I chose the latter. First up was Middleton’s in Darlaston but it was closed and not looking like it was reopening anytime soon. So back on the bus, I spent a great hour in the Central Library writing my new project whilst considering my options and when that place closed it was onto the 529.

The man in Chipmasters was very friendly and welcoming and he was regaling the other customer with anecdotes as I mooched around. First thing that caught my eye was a sign on the far end of the counter advising that due to current guidelines customers were requested not to stand by the counter. Trouble is you had to stand by the counter to read this. Another sign advised that carrier bags are 10p each which I’ve never known in a chippie before. 2 signs advised of a long established chip shop in Darlaston that was up for sale due to ill health. Middletons maybe?

The menu was pretty standard but included battered beef burgers which I’ve not heard off before and something I’m not sure I can cope with. The man serving took my order, called me Sir which was nice and explained it would be an 8 minute wait which I was more than happy with.

The food didn’t take long and as he wrapped it the man apologised for the delay but assured me that I knew it was fresh. He also explained that they don’t cook much fish in advance nowadays due to the cost of it and concerns that it won’t sell which is a very sad state of affairs. He did say that the mini fish has become very popular so they do have some of those ready to go.

I’ve got t be honest, I couldn’t really afford this mission yesterday but I was so keen to get a blog out that I went ahead with it. No gravy this time though to save money and I turned down a carrier bag. Aint paying 10p for one of those when I am under emergency tax wage restrictions.

I left, the storm was just beginning and I sat in the bus stop as thunder and lightning occurred. The chips were superb. Lightly battered, with those bits in the bottom and the fish was glorious. A great visit this, and the man serving was so good with his customer interaction I want to go back for more.