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Inside family-run chippy that serves ‘best fish and chips in Stoke-on-Trent’
When deciding where to go for this week’s StokeonTrentLive chippy review, I decided to consult my partner. He says the city’s best fish and chips are served from an eatery in High Lane, in Burslem, where he’s been eating since childhood.
Master Chef Fish and Chips – better known to people from Burslem as ‘High Lane chippy’ – has been in business since 1999. Original owner Charles Neocleous, now aged 74, transformed a disused petrol station into the chippy – and it has ample parking thanks to the old forecourt.
Since retiring in Cyprus, his birthplace, Charles has passed the apron down to his daughter, Soulla Stafakis, and son-in-law Yan Stafakis.
Soulla said: “My dad worked so hard to make Master Chef the success it is today and Yan and I are proud to continue on with his legacy. We have a lot of regulars – we’re always busy with customers – and it’s great to know that people enjoy our food.
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“Master Chef means a lot to us – it’s been our family business for years. Our children, Stas and Julia, also help out when they can, so Master Chef has seen three generations in our family.”
Yan added: “It’s great to see our customers always smiling. Having regular customers visit so often says a lot for itself really. We’re lucky to have six members of staff outside the family who work hard to deliver fantastic customer service. It’s always busy here so we work really hard to provide high quality food without having to wait too long.”
What customers think
During my visit – peak time on a Wednesday evening – there were lots of hungry customers lining up for their tea. Some of which have been regulars at Master Chef for years.
My boyfriend, Benito Stubbs-LaRosa said: “I’ve been coming here since I was probably about seven or eight years old [he’s now 27] because my family moved to the area for a couple of years. I think it’s the best chippy in Stoke. Now, the only time I’d ever have a chippy tea from anywhere else is when I’ve been out of the city or when Master Chef is closed.”
Simon White said: “It’s one of the best chip shops in Stoke-on-Trent. They are always busy but the speed that they get through orders is very impressive keeping your wait to a minimum.”
Other diners were nodding their heads and agreeing to the statements made by their fellow Master Chef lovers.
The taste test
We bought a cod and a fish cake bap, ordering chips with both – and we were treated to a rather large portion. Master Chef offers both battered or breaded fish, but I opted for the battered option.
It was cooked to perfection, with the perfect amount of crispiness so the fish was still soft and moist, rather than dry or overcooked. The fish was fresh and tasted just how a proper battered fish should.
The chips were thick and very tasty. I’m usually quite fussy about chippy chips, as they can be hard, soggy, underdone or overcooked – or just plain cold and gross. Master Chef was spot on with its hot, chunky chips, and the right amount of salt and vinegar was sprinkled over them.
The fish cake bap was soft and tasty – the ratio of potato to white fish and breadcrumbs was just right. Benito always has a chip bap from here, despite not liking them anywhere else – which speaks volumes.
As well as traditional fish and chips, other items on the menu include puddings, pies, burgers, kebabs and a variety of chicken options. Soft drinks are available too, as are frozen slushies.
Value for money and venue information
Master Chef prices are pretty competitive. In total I paid £11.80, which got me a fish and chips deal for £5.30, £4.50 for a fish cake bap, and £1 each for cans of coke.
The venue has a five-star hygiene rating, which was no surprise, as Master Chef was clean and well ventilated. There is a one-way system in place, so customers enter through one door and leave through another.
Wheelchair users should be made aware that there is a step to enter the chippy. Master Chef is open Monday to Saturday from 12pm (midday) until 9pm and is closed on Sundays.
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