One of my fondest memories of growing up in Manchester, England, was the good ol’ chippy tea on a Sunday evening: Fish and chips all round, with mushy peas, curry sauce, and, of course, lashings of vinegar.
As a native Brit, I take my fish and chips very, very seriously indeed. Cod is essential (no substitutes), and the batter must be light and non-greasy. The same goes for the chips.
That’s why, last week when I was invited to try the fish and chips at Joseph ’N’ Sons, a chippy in the heart of Tel Aviv that boasts “Fish so good, even the Brits are impressed!” I couldn’t resist!
My daughter accompanied me on this important tasting mission, having fought off stiff competition from other family members.
How are the fish and chips?
Tucked away in a busy side street off Rabin Square in the heart of Tel Aviv, this small takeaway restaurant also has pavement seating for those who prefer to enjoy their fish and chips hot, fresh, and most importantly, with Sarson’s malt vinegar (more about that later).
Not wanting to get caught up in the lunchtime or evening rush, we arrived mid-afternoon to the warm welcome of Erez Engel, the owner. Almost immediately, it became apparent that Engel, a native-born Israeli, shared my love of fish and chips and took great pleasure in serving this delicacy to the good people of Tel Aviv.
As one of the few chippies in Israel to use cod, I was eager to try the traditional fish and chips, the first item on the menu. Unlike in Manchester, where the fish is battered, fried and served whole on a bed of soggy chips, the fish was cut into strips before being fried, making it easier to eat with your fingers while perched on one of the high stools at the side of the street.
The portion was served in a disposable paper boat rather than being wrapped in paper as it is in Britain (thankfully, old newspaper has now been replaced with greaseproof paper). It was generous, piping hot, and came with a selection of condiments including tartare sauce, ketchup, and Sarson’s vinegar, a rarity in these parts, which is why it never leaves the premises.
The fish was excellent, as were the chips – not soggy or oily in the slightest, although I preferred the deliciously light and crisp sweet potato fries that accompanied the grilled salmon burger which we ordered next. Although I tend to avoid burgers made from anything other than minced meat, my daughter was keen to try it, so I had a taste – and polished it off. While she preferred the fish and chips, I was equally taken with the salmon burger as a lighter alternative.
NOT CONTENT with serving up just two dishes, Engel insisted we try a third. With that, I indulged my predilection for seafood, something I don’t manage very often, and ordered the crispy calamari and shrimp with the Joseph salad. Again, this was served in a paper boat and was utterly delicious.
Being the only vegetarian option on the menu (their Caesar salad contains anchovies) I was keen to try the Joseph salad. The combination of green herbs, black lentils, and cranberries topped with a tangy dressing was delightful and would make a satisfying vegetarian meal in itself – with a side of chips, of course.
Grilled salmon and sea bream also feature on the menu, along with crispy chicken and chips. Smaller, cheaper kids’ meals are also available.
Traditionally, fish and chips should be washed down with a large mug of strong Yorkshire Tea. Although this wasn’t on the menu, the wide variety of drinks on offer, including draft beer, wines, spirits, and every soft drink conceivable, more than made up for the disappointment.
Whether you’re out and about in Tel Aviv, or at home chilling, when that craving for fish and chips hits, look no further than Joseph ’N’ Sons. You can order from their website (which also has an English option), pop into the restaurant to collect your food, or spend an hour or so watching the world go by while tucking in on the pavement outside. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.
With fish so good, this Brit was impressed!
- Joseph ’N’ Sons
- Malkhi Yisrael Street 10, Tel Aviv
- Tel: 03-691-1141
- Website: josephnsons.co
- Opening times: Saturday to Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
- Prices: Cod and chips – medium NIS 102, large NIS 118; Joseph’s salad – NIS 39; salmon burger NIS 79.
- Non-kosher
The writer and her daughter were guests of the restaurant.