Fish and chips have long been a beloved British staple—a Friday night treat and a symbol of quintessential UK culture, much like a comforting cup of tea. However, with today’s rising cost of living, enjoying this classic takeaway has become less affordable for many.
Becca Stock, a popular food content creator known as Becca Eats Everything on TikTok, decided to investigate the local scene in Gloucester by sampling the cheapest, mid-priced, and most expensive fish and chips available. Her goal was to see which offering truly delivered on flavor and value.
Starting with the budget option from Sizzling Pubs, Becca paid £9.49 for a large battered fish, chunky chips, mushy peas, and curry sauce. Upon inspection, she found the batter soggy and undercooked and described the fish as “mushy” and unappetizing. The dry chips did little to improve the experience. Overall, she rated this cheapest meal a dismal 1 out of 10, despite the pub’s generally positive reviews from other customers.
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Next was the mid-priced meal from Queen’s Fish and Chips, costing £13.48 for a large cod and chips. Becca noted the chips were fluffy and plentiful, easily enough to share. The fish appeared flaky and fresh, and while the batter could have used more seasoning, it was thick and crunchy. This option impressed her the most, and she awarded it an 8 out of 10, praising its combination of quality and price.
Finally, Becca sampled the most expensive offering from The Chip Shed, which came in at £19.90 for a portion of lemon sole and chips. While the fish was tender and well-cooked, the batter was underdone and bland, which was disappointing given the premium price. The chips were the best of the trio—creamy and fluffy—but the lackluster batter pulled the score down to a 5 out of 10.
After her thorough taste test, Becca declared the mid-priced option from Queen’s Fish and Chips as the clear winner, offering the best balance of flavor and value in Gloucester’s current fish and chips market.