Portland's Fish & Chips — Restaurant in Liverpool

I hadn’t set out to write a love letter to a chip shop today. I was just looking for a bit of edible ballast before a three-hour drive — the kind of modest, pre-motorway hope that usually ends with a beige meal and beige regrets. But then, like all good things in life, I found salvation entirely by accident. My wife has coeliac disease, and if you’ve ever tried sniffing out a gluten-free chippy in this godforsaken fried-dough-and-gravy island, you’ll know it’s a bloody task. Enter Portland’s Fish and Chips. A place that doesn’t advertise itself with pomp or neon. It simply exists. Like the best kind of institution. I don’t say this lightly, not as a man who’s been chewing his way through this country’s fish and chip offerings for two decades, from Cornwall to Carlisle, but what I had today was transcendent. The batter was crisp like a well-delivered punchline. The fish inside was flaky, juicy, honest. The chips were not the sad, soggy kind that taste of yesterday’s oil and national decline: these were chips that knew their purpose. I ate it in my car, like a man who had stumbled upon a little miracle wrapped in paper. And I tell you, those three hours on the road were pure bliss. I didn’t care about the traffic, didn’t mind the rain, the M6 could have turned into a parking lot and I’d still have been smiling. Next time I’m in Liverpool, I don’t care if it’s miles out of my way - I’m going back to Portland’s. And if you’ve got any sense, you’ll do the same. Go once, just once in your life. And if you don’t feel the urge to write your own fan letter after, you’ve got no soul - or worse,...

Some time ago, Portland's was a great fish and chips shop that went through a bit of a transition from not only chippy fare, but also pizza, burgers, chicken, and all sorts of other foods. I was pleased to hear the shop was under new management and back to providing traditional chippy fare and doing away with all of that other stuff.

There is parking at the front of the building and to the side. Walking towards the door, there was a lot of litter and it was a little untidy, so my heart sank a little. On entering, it was completely different: clean, tidy, and modern. The staff were helpful, friendly, and smiling.

There was an extensive traditional chip shop menu on the wall above the range, and a wall had been erected, closing off where the pizzas and burgers were once prepared. It looked great. I hope the focus will remain on traditional chippy fare and not fall back to burgers, pizzas, and fried chicken, as I feel it has a bright future.

The haddock was fresh and delicious, in a crispy, tasty batter. The chips were how you would expect: crispy, light, and golden, and plenty of them. The salt and pepper squid was fresh with a small accompanying salad. The food overall was great, and I will likely return when passing.

Cooking in: Oil

Hygiene Rating: Awaiting Inspection

Cash or Card

Fish Reviewed: Haddock

See the full video review on The Chippy Tour...

I ordered food via the Portland fish and chips shop website, I placed my order around 1745 hours for a 1830 delivery. I received a text message saying I could track the delivery driver at 1809, I clicked it and the expected time was 1832.

By 1909 I hadn't received my order so I contacted the store, the store stated that they had prepared the food and they had given it to a delivery driver and that was as much as they could do.I asked how I claimed a refund and the store said I needed to claim it through the company that employs the delivery drivers.

The delivery driver came to my address at 1938 by which point he had my food for around 90 minutes so I refused the delivery on the basis that my food was going to be stone cold.

I eventually found out how to attempt to claim a refund, I contacted them and they said they wouldn't give me a refund because the store had declined my refund request.

So I'm £19 out of pocket for food that I had been with the delivery driver for 90 minutes, unable to get a refund and had to endure the stores bad attitude!

Further complaint will be forthcoming and a fraud case has been raised with PayPal who I used to pay.

100% would not recommend using this restaurant,...