The Magpie Cafe, Whitby

This place is James' favourite fish and chip place in the whole of Whitby.  Normally there is a queue that stretches out of the front door, down the steps and along the road.  And therefore we have only been here once before.

The Magpie Cafe has a very extensive menu, all kinds of seafood and shellfish.  Different kinds of fish that I've never even heard of, let alone tried before.  It has classic chippy options as well as a whole host of other seafood dishes.  But we came for the fish as chips!  My favourite thing about the menu is that due to a long list of fish options, there is a section which explains to you what each type of fish is like, look, taste and texture.

James had the regular haddock and chips, I opted for a small woof (YES, WOOF!) and chips.  We shared a dish of mushy peas, and there was more than enough for two.  Mine came without skin, which is how I prefer my battered fish.  The woof was meaty and moist without being overly oily, just this side of cooked.  But small?!  The pictures show that this small was the average chip shop's idea of a normal sized portion.  Makes a refreshing change from most restaurants who think that to be successful the portions must be tiny.  James' regular haddock was enormous and had the skin on, which is how James likes it.  Again the fish was perfectly cooked.  The batter on both was crunchy and dry, exactly as I would wish it to be.  The chips were crisp on the outside and almost perfectly fluffy in the middle.  Only my Grandad makes better chips!  Chunky and thick cut.  Again, I ended up eating them with my hands in the middle of the restaurant, scooping the mushy peas up with the chips.  The peas were perfect.  Thick and...well, what can you say about mushy peas?  They were mushy!  The right texture and consistency.  The dishes were automatically brought with a dish of tartar sauce and a bottle of tomato sauce.

I have to say, The Magpie Cafe gets my first 10/10.  I have only ever had the fish and chips so I can't speak for the rest of the menu, but they were faultless.  The waitresses were so pleasant and friendly, even when the weather was so appallingly cold and wet!  I can understand why the queue is always so long.  It's worth joining it.