This $50 fish and chips order detail ignites firestorm among customers: ‘Horrible lot it was’

The humble fish and chips is a quintessential Australian takeaway that evokes memories of sun-soaked afternoons by the beach and relaxed Friday nights at home. It's a simple pleasure that has long been a staple of Australian cuisine.

However, a recent incident involving a $50 fish and chips order has sparked a nationwide conversation about the quality and value of this beloved dish.



A woman's anticipation for a delicious meal turned to dismay when she received her $50 fish and chips order.

Expecting a feast fit for a family, she was instead greeted with a lacklustre spread that fell short of expectations.

The order, which she shared on social media, included a box of chips, two pieces of battered fish, calamari rings, a seafood stick, and potato scallops.


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A woman slammed this $50 fish and chips meal on social media. Credit: Facebook


Upon inspection, the woman found the food subpar, with yellow chips, burnt calamari, and an overall presentation that left much to be desired.

She lamented the loss of 'old school fish and chip shops' that once served up hearty and satisfying meals.
The post quickly resonated nationwide, sparking a wave of nostalgia for the traditional fish and chip shops of the past.

Many people chimed in with their own experiences, expressing disappointment with the current state of this classic takeaway option.

‘Yep. The old milk bar fish and chips were always the best. Now it’s hit and miss and pretty gross,’ one user wrote.

‘Hard to find a decent one now,’ while a third asked, ‘Honestly, what in the world has fish and chips come to?’

‘When I lived in [Australia] many years ago, my mum and dad swore that Aussie fish and chips were the best they’d ever had. I’m sure they were, too! I was only little but visited the chippy regularly,’ another added.

The conversation turned to the factors that might contribute to the decline in quality. Some speculated that the cooking oil used nowadays might be to blame for the unsatisfactory yellow hue of the chips.

Others suggested that location plays a crucial role, with shops closer to the sea generally offering fresher fare.

‘Welcome to the majority of Australian fish and chips. You have to go close to the sea where it’s fresh and cooked right, hopefully,’ one said.



This incident is not isolated. Another woman recently voiced her frustration over what she deemed a 'disgraceful' serving of hot chips that cost her $10 at a cafe on NSW's mid-North coast.

When she contacted the establishment, she was informed that serving sizes had been reduced due to the current economic climate.
Key Takeaways
  • An Australian customer expressed disappointment over a $50 fish and chips order, sharing her discontent on social media.
  • The quality and value of the meal were criticised, with a comparison made to the old school fish and chip shops.
  • The post resonated with many, sparking a sense of nostalgia and calls for a return to the quality of the past.
  • The incident is part of a wider conversation about Australia's rising costs and declining portions of takeaway food.
What's your take on the current state of fish and chips in Australia? Have you encountered similar disappointments, or do you have a local gem that keeps the tradition alive with pride? Let us know in the comments below!
 
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I live in FNQ and ordered fish and chips from my local store, two pieces fish over cooked and a large serving of chips which I counted and ended up being 16 chips...27 dollars, I never went back and told them I would never be back. I go to a different shop 20 kilometers away, much better value and food and very much worth the drive to get almost what you pay for in this day and age of being ripped off ever where just because they think we're all fair game, well 4 years on I still have never been back.
 
As you said
, it is hit andi miss with the he old favorite.
Good luck at finding a good one.
I know the fish are still in the ocean so why to we get flat bits of cardboard.
Don't get them very much unless my daughter's come but the quality is no longer there. I hate the cardboard they are now put into. Were nicer wrapped in the paper alone. I think we are paying for the cardboard so our order of chips to start off with have dwindled. How much are they paying for the cardboard. It is costing us more with the poor quality and size of chips order. Bring back the older style of getting fish and chips
 
$50.00 for 4, that would be $12.50 per serve.

That sounds like the cost of a sandwich at a take away shop these days.

Not saying it's dear or cheap, just noting what another 1 serve option cost me recently.
 
pleased to see Gunnadah is still living up to their good name. I also go to Witts on Walla Street in Bundaberg but I really wonder if anyone cooks any more. I may go to the fish shop once a year but I cook my own Fisherman's Basket EVERY Friday night using ingredients from the supermarket freezer....fish, chips, scallops, prawns, calamari and a salad if I'm hungry. At least I know what I'm getting and also know I'm not getting ripped off. I possibly would go to the shop a bit more often but they use Menulog for deliveries and that mob told me to USE A MATES PHONE when I rold them I don't use a mobile phone because I'm deaf. Hence I'm happy cooking my own.
 
pleased to see Gunnadah is still living up to their good name. I also go to Witts on Walla Street in Bundaberg but I really wonder if anyone cooks any more. I may go to the fish shop once a year but I cook my own Fisherman's Basket EVERY Friday night using ingredients from the supermarket freezer....fish, chips, scallops, prawns, calamari and a salad if I'm hungry. At least I know what I'm getting and also know I'm not getting ripped off. I possibly would go to the shop a bit more often but they use Menulog for deliveries and that mob told me to USE A MATES PHONE when I rold them I don't use a mobile phone because I'm deaf. Hence I'm happy cooking my own.
Yeah I can't ring up anymore cause I'm deaf too, but do text but can't to order stuff except from Coles
 
I hate those yellow chips that alot of shops are selling.

We purchased fish n chips and calamari at Cronulla hoping to enjoy a nice feed while watching the surf.
Ours came to around $50 and those yellow chips are horrible.
Did I post on line ....NO

When I buy fish n chips for 3 to 4 people it always comes to just under $50
 
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I hate those yellow chips that alot of shops are selling.

We purchased fish n chips and calamari at Cronulla hoping to enjoy a nice feed while watching the surf.
Ours came to around $50 and those yellow chips are horrible.
Did I post on line ....NO

When I buy fish n chips for 3 to 4 people it always comes to just under $50
Don't you buy fish with that
 
$24 for 1 battered, 1 crumbed and a small scoop of chips that is a small handful each. It feed us but a Large Scoop is $10 and it won't feed 2 Adults and 2 Children, but at least they are beautiful to eat.
 
Don't you buy fish with that
We brought fish , calamari and the yellow chips. The fish was normal . The yellow isn't a batter it's just the colour of the chips that are currently sold in alot of fish n chip shops in Sydney atm and they are horrible. I now look before I order.
My favourite food is hot chips
 
We brought fish , calamari and the yellow chips. The fish was normal . The yellow isn't a batter it's just the colour of the chips that are currently sold in alot of fish n chip shops in Sydney atm and they are horrible. I now look before I order.
My favourite food is hot chips
Maybe they are using sweet potatoes
 

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