Top Fish 'N Chips

When a food craving rolls in, it has to be satisfied. So, when the palate began dwelling on fish and chips, it was time to recall some top spots for pub grub with a British fetish. I've told you about some of these places before but neglected to mention the traditional fish dish. Actually it may have landed in London via Spaniards fleeing the Inquisition over 500 years ago and is generally made here with cod or haddock. But one of my favorite Brit pubs in Bermuda uses a local rock fish or wahoo. The difference in many versions is the batter and spice. So where do I go when the craving strikes? C'mon along. – Jay Lloyd

DANDELION PUB

124 S. 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
thedandelionpub.com/

Can a Stephen Starr eatery really get down on the docks with a cockney pub to produce a true taste of real fish and chips? Sure it can - and go beyond. It's simply a matter of money. The presentation alone is a feast. The fish is cod, the batter is beer and the look is pure gold. Moist on the inside, a crunch on the outside sets off a perfect blending of flavors. The mug of chips (French fries) has the crisp and lightly salted flavors that keeps one hand hovering over chips and the other forking fish. At $20, it's high, but the surroundings and service make it all worthwhile.

THE WHIP TAVERN

1383 N. Chatham Rd.
Coatesville, PA 19320
thewhiptavern.com/

The Whip is located smack in the middle of Chester County horse country and is designed to emulate a true English country Inn. That means a full range of British beers and the closest rendition possible of the classic fish and chips. British beer is at the heart of the batter. A lemon slice is the garnish and the fish is Atlantic caught cod. True to tradition, you can get a side of mushy peas. Malt vinegar and tartar sauce are on the board and the chips have a crunch on the outside and well cooked innards. Smithwick's Irish and Guinness is on tap in Imperial pints and the bottled beer list is the size of a Harry Potter novel. The fish and chips are $10 at lunch, $16 at dinner.

MOLLY MAGUIRE'S

197 Bridge Street
Phoenixville, PA 19460
mollymaguiresphoenixville.com/

You can't get much more Irish than Molly Maguire's in Phoenixville unless you head for Dublin. The magical lilting brogues of the pub keepers help transport you to a place where battered cod is a time honored tradition. Molly's has been pieced together to have the look, atmosphere, food and outgoing friendliness that might be transported from the emerald isle - fish and chips included. A Harp lager stirs a light batter that covers generous carvings of cod. The fries have a boardwalk taste and slaw adds a little veggie to the plate. An ideal bit of comfy food. Light eaters can have one piece of fish for $9. A 2-piece plate checks out at $14.

WEGMAN'S PUB

Various Locations
wegmanspub.com/

Wegman's and its popular pubs changed life forever in the Delaware Valley. That includes our consumption of fish. Even before we get to the Pub, the variety of fresh fish, whole and filet in the Wegman's Market has brought a heightened awareness of seafood and its variations to more neighborhoods. Fish and chips has been a mainstay of the Pub menus ever since Wegman's arrived. Their offering at $15 is centered on fresh haddock with a Tempura batter. Perfectly golden it comes with the Pub's unique Tuscan fries that carries a tantalizing combination of herbs and spices, set off by sage and rosemary. The "chips" are a meal in themselves. There's a solid selection of rotating tap beers that always include Guinness and a dazzling array of bottles.

BROTHER PAUL'S

3300 Ridge Pike
Eagleville, PA 19403
brotherpaulspa.com/

Brother Paul's is an all-purpose pub just outside Collegeville. It's sports themed but you'll find happy hour groups, schmooze fests, young and old. It's a neighborhood tavern with a big local following and a beer list as long as your arm that includes an impressive grouping of Belgians. A lot of nibbling and dining goes on here and there's a well eyeballed spot on the menu for fish and chips. Theirs is a beer battered cod with a moist interior and a snappy, golden outer crust. The kick is in the spice that puts an extra bit of heat into the flavor. Accompanied by slaw, fries and tartar sauce with lemon garnish, is goes for $13.

Enjoy!