Irish Lesson of the Week: Fish and Chips

 Before I say much else, let me start with this.

American French Fries=Irish Chips

American Potato Chips=Irish Crisps

Just so we are all on the same page. I knew the difference or similarity in fries and chips but it took me a few days to catch the similarity in chips and crisps. I hope that didn’t just confuse anyone even more…

Fish and chips are a really popular food, especially within the UK, and with the link between Ireland and the UK it is no surprise that it has also become really popular within Ireland. 

Last weekend I got to go to what many claim as the best fish and chips, or in slang “one and one”, in all of Dublin.  Leo Burdock’s is just a counter with a line wrapped around the corner. Your options at Leo Burdock’s include Cod or Haddock and really that’s about it. 

 Oh, and you get to choose the type of sauce you want to accompany your pile of grease.

I chose the Cod, feeling for some reason that it was more traditional?

I also had my fries, I mean chips, covered in vinegar and salt, which is common for chips across Ireland.

The men behind the counter wrap up your food in a brown paper package and you are out the door almost as soon as you walked in. Then it's up to you to figure out just where to eat your heap of fried heaven.

My Mississippi vernacular would immediately associate fried fish with catfish in a cornmeal like batter. The cod from Leo Burdock’s, and most versions of the fish in fish and chips, are covered in something closer to a beer batter. It's more like an onion ring batter than a piece of catfish.

But it sure was delicious...(notice the grease)

The only problem with the best fish and chips in Dublin is that you get so much food you should split it between several people (fish and chips were often known as a working class food, so lots of food for little money makes sense). It is also greasy (kind of like a normal day at KD Fried Friday) so you are left feeling really full and in desperate need of a place to wash your hands, face and maybe lap from where you set the brown package. But it’s all in the experience.  And a worthwhile one all-together.

Cheers!

 Chelsea

PS. After Leo's we went for a quick walking tour of the Jameson Distillery. It was a free tour as part of Dublin's Culture Night where events were offered across the city. The tour is of the old distillery, which they have turned into a museum. I think it would have been more interesting if they were still making whiskey there. But it was a fun night!