The Great Fish & Chips Quest for UK Immigrants in the USA

Graeme Crawford
2 min readApr 27, 2023

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Ah, fish and chips — the quintessential British dish! For UK immigrants in the USA, the search for an authentic taste of home can be an adventure in itself. I have some suggestions to help you find your crispy, golden, and comforting delight in the land of burgers and fries.

The Elusive Chippy: Where Art Thou? You might be tempted to try every “British” pub in town, hoping to find that perfect battered fish and chunky chips combo. Be prepared for some serious trial and error, as you’ll likely encounter peculiar adaptations of the dish, including French fries posing as chips, or worse — a side of coleslaw! It’s like searching for the Holy Grail, but for aficionados, it’s worth the effort.

The DIY Approach: Desperation may lead you to take matters into your own hands. Brave the American supermarket aisles, and you might just stumble upon the rare, imported malt vinegar or a pack of frozen cod. With a deep-fryer and determination, you can recreate your beloved fish and chips at home. Just don’t be surprised if your American friends refer to it as a “gourmet meal”.

The Transatlantic Pilgrimage: When all else fails, there’s always the option of a trip back to Blighty. After all, nothing compares to the real deal from a seaside chippy or a local chip shop. Just be prepared to return to the USA and have to explain to your American friends that fish and chips aren’t actually wrapped in newspaper anymore.

The quest may be challenging, but the satisfaction of sinking your teeth into that familiar taste will make it all worthwhile.

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