Two Welsh fish and chip shops, located just a short drive from each other in the Caerphilly borough, have been named among the top 20 fish and chip shop takeaways in the UK. Fish Kitchen 1854 in Maesycwmmer and Ship Deck in Trethomas are now vying for a place in the top 10 shortlist for the National Fish & Chip Awards 2023.
Fish Kitchen 1854, named after the nearby viaduct, is run by headteacher Lee Humphreys and his wife Samantha. The shop opens two nights a week and has previously been recognised in Fry Magazine's Top 50 takeaways. Ship Deck, which opened in 2019, is owned by Ryan and Kimberley Hughes, who also run a local delivery service.
To compare the two, we ordered cod and chips with curry sauce from each. At Fish Kitchen 1854, a regular portion of chips cost £2.80, cod £6.45, and curry sauce £1.80. The shop was busy but service was quick and efficient. The chips were described as chunky, golden, and not soggy, travelling home well. The fish was slightly smaller but chunky, and the Irish curry sauce was thick and flavourful.
At Ship Deck, the large chips were £2.95, regular cod £6.35, and sauces £1.25. The fish was larger and had a light, crisp batter that survived the journey home. The chips were lighter in colour and slightly soggier, which some of our group preferred. Overall, Fish Kitchen 1854 had superior chips and great customer experience, while Ship Deck offered excellent fish at slightly lower prices.
Both shops have been praised for their quality and are contenders for the top 10 awards. Which one comes out on top may depend on personal preference for chip texture and portion size.
