Some chip shop staples are hard to come by
Liverpool Echo reporter Joe Riley tries out the food at a fish and chip shop, 1990.(Image: Mirrorpix)
We all have memories of heading to our favourite chippies as kids – from using our pocket money to get chips in a cone or newspaper to carrying a big bag of hot food through the door for the family to enjoy on a Friday night. As we’ve gotten older, the tradition has continued and many households still head to their local chip shop at the end of a hard week, or for a midweek treat, for their favourite dishes or British classics.
But through the years, some staples from our childhood have disappeared, or become more hard to find. Whether it’s food falling out of fashion or a change in recipes or cost, a number of chippy “delicacies” from years ago are no longer on most menus.
In many cases, younger generations will have never experienced the vast array of fried goods different businesses once offered, or the treats that would leave kids of today in disbelief that they were even served. But that doesn’t mean they have been forgotten or we wouldn’t want to try them once more.
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To remember these fallen favourites of the deep-fryer, we’ve put together a few of the once popular chip shop staples you rarely see people selling or ordering anymore in Liverpool. You may know different and there may be places you know still sells your favourite – but we asked members of our Liverpool memories and history Facebook group for their suggestions.
This list isn’t intended to be comprehensive and suggestions may differ to your own depending on your type of take-away, your age or where you get your chippy on Merseyside. See how many you know or remember in our list below.
Pies in fat
Many had pies in fat(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Pie, chips and gravy has long been a chip shop favourite in Liverpool and beyond. But for some customers, the meal got even better when their pie was put in fat.
Many will remember ordering their favourite flavour pie which would then be thrown into oil/fat to crisp up. On our Liverpool memories and history Facebook group, Diane Atkinson suggested “cheese pie in the fat,” while reader Paula Rutherford said: “steak pie in the fat.”
Scraps/Scratchings
Chips with scraps(Image: By Coolug – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Although still available in some places, some generations will have never thought to or know they can ask for scraps or scratchings. If you’ve ever had them, you’ll know they are deep-fried bits of batter left over in the fryer that often served with chips or another meal – sometimes free of charge.
Les Serridge said: “When I was a kid with my friends we would go into Norman’s chippy in Derby Lane, Old Swan and ask for a bag of scratchings (small left over pieces of batter), if we were lucky he would give them to us for free.” Marie Margaret Walsh said: “Loved it when I would ask if I could have some scratching (batter bits) on my chips and got them.”
Mixture
Many loved a mixture
ECHO reader Lisa Hancock suggested “a mixture” on our nostalgia Facebook group. And many from Merseyside and beyond will remember asking for this at their chippy.
A “mixture” may have been different depending on which chippy you went to or where you lives. But for the most part, it was often a selection of different ingredients with chips.
Pigs Feet
Today, it is a a relatively uncommon dish in traditional chip shops – but certain generations will remember having pigs feet from the chippy in Liverpool. It’s fallen out of fashion today, and kids of today would likely be in disbelief that you could order them.
On our Facebook page, Peter Lee Wong Snr said: “Pigs belly, tripe pigs feet,” whole Carol Ball said: “Tripe or pigs feet with vinegar.” Reader Ted McConnell also remembered having pigs feet at the local chippy.
Different battered goods
Battered jam butties are the specialty at the fish and chip shop on Railway Road, Chorley. Owner David Barrow is pictured with some children who are enjoying the sandwich. March 1981(Image: Mirrorpix)
Many of us love a deep fried treat – but years ago, it seemed you could get a wider variety of battered goods. And we’re not just talking your usual battered staples like sausages – many remember getting sweet treats or more unusual goods thrown in the fryer.
Gemma Stevens said: “Deep fried banana or apple fritters with syrup. Mmmm.” And Geraldine Higgins said: “There used to be a chippy on Wavertree Nook Rodd, possibly called Lords, they did fish fingers in batter. Lovely.”