A food fan visited a fish and chip shop in Covent Garden – and it’s one of London’s oldest fish and chippies – where a classic northern combo sparked a heated debate
A food enthusiast was left baffled by an unusual combination at one of London’s most historic fish and chip shops – yet it’s a pairing countless people adore. Fish and chips are a quintessentially British dish. The Friday night favourite is arguably one of our most iconic meals, perhaps just as cherished as the ever-popular Sunday roast and full English breakfast.
There’s certainly no shortage of top rated chippies up and down the country, and everyone has their go-to spot when they’re hankering after a hearty serving of carbs and battered goodness. Toby Inskip, a well-known food content creator who posts online under the name Eating with Tod, made his way to Rock and Sole Plaice in Covent Garden, London.
The restaurant’s claim to fame is that it ranks among the oldest fish and chip venues in the capital.
Joining Toby at the historic chippy was professional mixed martial artist Tom Aspinall, who hails from Salford, in the north west of England.
Capturing their visit in a TikTok video, Toby began: “Today we’re trying the oldest fish and chip shop in London – and I’ve got a very special guest.”
He continued: “This is Rock and Sole Plaice, which has survived two world wars, been around for 150 years but, today, I wanted to ask the question, which chippies are better, northern or southern?”
But it was a well-known northern food combination that left Toby scratching his head.
The camera cut to show him raising his plate up to the lens for viewers to get a better look. Toby went on: “Before we get into the fish, we’ve got to try the London sides.
“This includes pickles, coleslaw and a pickled egg.”
Tom asked: “How’d you do it?” Before picking up the pickled egg and taking a bite. He simply said: “That’s not great.”
To which, Toby replied: “You’re not tapping out, are you?”
The duo then moved on to assessing the fish. Toby said: “Next up, we’ve got the battered cod – and then Tom starts slathering gravy everywhere.
“Come on, mate, what you doing? Not on the fish, surely. The batter is gonna get all soggy.”
But Tom simply quipped: “Bonus points for that.”
Tom described the gravy as “not that good” and while Toby thought it was “so thick”, Tom was adamant it wasn’t thick enough and “not proper” northern-style gravy.
At this stage, Toby decided to give the north’s beloved chips and gravy a go for himself – but he couldn’t understand the hype, particularly after sampling gravy on his fish.
Despite the popularity of adding gravy to a chippy order up north, Toby confessed: “I don’t get it.”
Once the pair had finished their meals, UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom concluded: “This was good, but it’s not a northern chippy. A northern chippy takes it, easy.”
Both Tom and Toby then delivered the Eating with Tod catchphrase to the camera: “If you can’t take a date, take a mate.”
In the comments section, fellow TikTok users were divided on whether gravy had any place on fish or whether it should solely be reserved for the chips. Others were quick to sing the praises of chip shop curry sauce.
