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Original poster

Why are fish and chip portions so big?

158 replies

OutingHobby · 05/04/2022 18:09

If the price of fish and chips is going up couldn't they just start to make the portions smaller? One large cod and chips is enough to feed 3 of us for dinner round here!

OP posts:
Readyforspring · 05/04/2022 18:11

Not all chip shops are. One local to me a large would feed 2 kids!
But the one we use is generous

Also everyone's appetites are different. Dh could eat a large cod as could ds. And they're absolutely huge.
I rarely have fish but id share with dd.

GottaLoveTheCold · 05/04/2022 18:13

I share one cod and chips with DH - it’s a cheap, hot dinner.

Original poster
OutingHobby · 05/04/2022 18:13

Ah I kind of assumed it was standard as all the ones I've used (ok only 3 in the last couple of years) have been huge! I tried ordering a small cod one and that was too much. I think they need to do a "kiddy cod"

OP posts:
Original poster
OutingHobby · 05/04/2022 18:14

@GottaLoveTheCold

I share one cod and chips with DH - it’s a cheap, hot dinner.
Yeah that sounds good. We'd have left over chips for a chip butty the next day. The cod from the supermarket is a minnow in comparison.
OP posts:
user1471453601 · 05/04/2022 18:17

My local chippy does a small cod, it's slightly shorter than a dinner plate, but very much less wide than a "normal" fish. One of those with a small run of mushy peas is enough for me.

cherryonthecakes · 05/04/2022 18:19

Cod and chips is enough for 2 hungry adults here. Unfair on the singletons and the couples who both don't want the same thing.

My local chip shop do a small portion aimed at pensioners (which is cheaper)

worriedatthistime · 05/04/2022 18:20

Surely it depends on the shop and the persons appetite
Is this a bit like the mumsnet chicken?
Our chippy varies one day you get a lot of chips another not
I tend to order the granny fish and chips which is smaller and enough for me
Dh would need standard cod , but would eat most of standard chips

DoobryWhatsit · 05/04/2022 18:20

Because chips are, well, cheap as. So is the batter (the fish, not so much) The bigger costs are heating the oil, paying for the premises etc. So the chippy has to set a price per portion to make it viable, but then they have to give you loads for that price so you don't feel swizzled!

KELLOGSspeck · 05/04/2022 18:23

It depends on how big of an eater you are. I could eat fish and chips to myself if its late on in the afternoon

Original poster
OutingHobby · 05/04/2022 18:28

@DoobryWhatsit

Because chips are, well, cheap as. So is the batter (the fish, not so much) The bigger costs are heating the oil, paying for the premises etc. So the chippy has to set a price per portion to make it viable, but then they have to give you loads for that price so you don't feel swizzled!
Aaahhh this makes sense.
OP posts:
Thursday37 · 05/04/2022 18:30

I can eat a large fish and standard chips by myself as I’m a greedy cow. I can’t manage a large chips though too. The portions are big here but if I’m doing unhealthy I go all out Grin

Original poster
OutingHobby · 05/04/2022 18:30

Also, is a medium cod the same size wherever you go? Like A standard measurement.

OP posts:
Powerbunting · 05/04/2022 18:31

Then don't buy a large cod and chips if you only want a small?

Most chippies do some smaller variants. Either a small fish or a cone of chips or a tray, or pensioner portion, or scallop.

I find the cod too filling... so I don't buy it!

Leftbutcameback · 05/04/2022 18:32

The local chippy near uni used to do a small fish and chips which I’d quite often pick up on the way home. It was perfect for me!

I do tend to eat most of the fish now, but freeze most of the chips and last time I got three extra meals out of the chips

Georgeskitchen · 05/04/2022 18:32

Some chippies do small , medium, large. Usually a medium is plenty for me and OH

AbsentmindedWoman · 05/04/2022 18:32

God I would love a really delicious fish & chips now after reading this thread, I am starving.

Original poster
OutingHobby · 05/04/2022 18:33

I'm not complaining just wondering why they haven't suffered shrinkflation

OP posts:
AmberGer · 05/04/2022 18:34

From our local chip shop, If I'm feeling 'normal' hungry, I order a kids box (decent portion, way too big for a child)
If I'm 'starving', dh and I share a fish and chips, still a massive portion each.
But the chippy in the next town to us serves much smaller portions and way more expensive, they're very busy due to their location (tourist spot) but the food knocks spots off anywhere else, their fish and chips are amazing!

Silkierabbit · 05/04/2022 18:34

Yes its huge at ours and feeds 2 adults and 1 child and makes it very good value, we add beans and bread and butter sometimes. Like a carrier bag full of chips and fish is enormous.

You can get a small version but more economical to get the large for us.

Seemssounfair · 05/04/2022 18:34

Yeah that sounds good. We'd have left over chips for a chip butty the next day. The cod from the supermarket is a minnow in comparison.

Leftover next day chippy chips? 🤮

We get one fish supper and split between the 3 of us, the dog and next doors 6 children while it is still warm.

Chasingsquirrels · 05/04/2022 18:35

Our local chippy varies, sometime a standard chips will feed 2 of us, but I once got 2 between 5 and a single portion would have been plenty.
When my boys were younger they would share a fish, but DP and DS1 would now eat a fish each. DS2 and I have a jumbo sausage each. And if DP goes he gets a jumbo sausage for the dogs - my vocker spaniel gets about 1/5th and his great dane has the other 4/5th and just swallows it whole.

LubaLuca · 05/04/2022 18:35

I think our chippy doesn't give huge amounts. There's no way a regular fish and chips would feed three people, not even an adult and two children. It fits on a regular dinner plate with peas as well.

Mamamia7962 · 05/04/2022 18:35

GottaLoveTheCold - I don't think fish and chips is cheap, a large cod where I live is £7 plus small chips £2.50, large chips £3.50.

Mrsjayy · 05/04/2022 18:35

Our chip shop will do a half bag of chips with their fish that was Is what I get.i mean a full one used to feed Me and a teenager,I suppose everybody has different appetites.

Candleabra · 05/04/2022 18:38

I hate it when you go to a new chippy and the person you’re with says how massive the portions are so you share and the portion size is just normal.
I feel so cheated.
I hate sharing food anyway.