Burslem chippy tops the hygiene charts - but does its food do the same?
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A 102-year-old chippy has been left "delighted" after receiving the highest food hygiene rating attainable. May Street Chippy in Burslem was taken over by David and Sue Llewellyn, both 58, six months before covid hit.
David said the chippy was "on its knees" when they first took over, and had a food hygiene rating of just one. But now, the couple have turned the business around.
David said: "We took it over in October 2019. It's been difficult at the beginning.
Read: Chippy Friday: We got sausage and chips from St Mary's Fish Bar - here's our verdict
"It was on its knees when we took over - it only had a food hygiene rating of one. The people before had focused more on deliveries.
"We don't do deliveries. We could, but people would have long waits.
"We are here as a service to the general area. Things were picking up before covid, but then it came and we had to shut because I have COPD.
"It was difficult when we had just taken over. We didn't have any help from the government.
"We reopened on June 23 last year because we were skint. We put all the barriers up, restrictions of two people in the shop and all that.
"It was difficult because people weren't coming out, but it's doing well now." David had dreamed of opening a fish and chip shop after a lifelong career in electroplating.
He said: "The inspector came in and I had been getting on to the council to come in because it was still on a one. Everything they asked, we sailed through all of it.
"He said 'You were faultless.' We never had a chip shop before.
"We said we were both 55 and we thought what to do. I said I have always wanted a chip shop.
"It helps when Port Vale are playing at home. We are delighted with the rating.
"We are looking forward to the future."
The taste test
The chip shop serves everything you would expect - fish, chips, mushy peas, and curry sauce, but it does home made chicken curry, as well as burgers and teatime specials. I'm not a huge fish and chip fan, but I thought I'd make an exception for this review, and I know someone who is: my boyfriend might be one of Stoke's biggest fans.
I ordered sausage and mushy peas for him, fish for myself, and large chips to share. The fish was cooked fresh, as in, I watched it go in the fryer. Bonus points.
I was actually starving, and the fish was great. The batter was super crispy and the fish inside was chunky and soft. I, true to form, poured mayonnaise all over my chips, as I eat mayonnaise with everything. I'd asked for lots of salt and vinegar, and that always helps matter. The chips were good chunky chips and the large serving was absolutely massive.
The boyfriend enjoyed his, following his usual tendency to eat food without really chewing. "How was it?" I asked. "Good." was the sole reply. Which, I suppose, you can't argue with.
Overall, it's definitely worth a visit and deserving of its 102-year-old legacy.
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