The Original Chipwick — Restaurant in Worthing

Recently, we went to Chip Wicks for an early Mother’s Day meal. Although we had a great time in general, unfortunately, we seemed to have more fun with the company we were with rather than the meal we had and the restaurant itself.

We had quite a broad selection of meals between us, yet, unfortunately, we all seemed to feel the same way about everything we ate. We all thought that the chips, fish, burgers, and chicken tasted a bit underwhelming. It wasn't bad by any means, but it just wasn’t anything special. We also all felt that the chips, in particular, were very underwhelming. Although some people might prefer a lighter chip, to us, they just felt disappointing—especially since we have had much fluffier chips at other places. When "chip" is in the name, it’s a bit disappointing when we all had the same feeling about them.

The staff, however, were lovely—polite to guests and seemingly kid-friendly as well. My only issue with the service was that it took a bit longer than I expected, but they weren’t slow by any means. This could have been due to various unforeseen circumstances.

Now, although this didn’t really affect much, I found some of the decorations around the restaurant very out of place and not how I would have decorated it. For the most part, the restaurant was cohesive in its design and followed a theme, yet some parts—like the small plastic leaf decorations on our tables—just looked a bit tacky. There were also a few plants scattered around that I didn’t quite understand how they fit in. Additionally, I found the lighting to be an odd choice. The restaurant had several different types of lights in different sections—some had lights directly in the ceiling, others had hanging lights, but every section with hanging lights had a different design. Some were glass, some were just a cage around the bulb, and then the kitchen counter had metal covers around the lights.

The meals were certainly on the more expensive side for a casual meal, in my opinion. While you did receive a full meal's worth of food—if not a large portion—they did offer takeaway boxes for those who couldn’t finish, which was appreciated. Unfortunately, I just can’t see myself justifying spending that much again on a casual meal, and I can’t say that I would recommend others go...

This evening we had a takeaway: Whitebait, calamary, reg chips, reg haddock, tartare sauce, thai fish cake. £39 of order. We were very happy to be back and using Chipwick, as we leave not too far. Haddock, whitebait and tartare sauce fresh. I’m sure even the other two items were fresh as well. Too fresh that the fishcake was raw inside: homemade for sure but just a fish+mash potatoes patty big like an adult hand and uncooked. The calamari were way too much oily that to try to eat it we started to take out the coating. I’m sure the young chef was feeling the pressure of a 7pm rush (5 orders before us) but this is not a justification for cooking a raw dish and one that is too oily. Maybe the oil wasn't ready or some new oil had been added to the fryer? You don't expect this service from an award-winning restaurant. When called, the staff was kind when they offered us to prepare another portion of fishcake, which we refused only to avoid going out in the rain to get it. Another complaint is that the female staff at the till should have their hair tied up, not touch it in front of customers and then prepare food without washing their hands. It is not a good practice in a food area!!! Chipwick as a restaurant has not lost us as customers (the fish is always fresh not frozen!) but we hope, next time, to find all the food at the best standards that have characterized this place all...

Update 2023:

Clearly a change in management, as this place is now excellent. Chips are always great, and the fish is wonderful, with lovely crispy bater. Difficult to fault, other than the price, but not being a regular take-away fan, perhaps I'm out of touch! Highly recommended.

------ previous review -------

I'm not quite sure what has happened to The Original Chipwick, but I'd hazard a guess that they have had a change of owner. To us, the place feels like it is living on it's excellent reputation, but the quality has definitely gone downhill.

Twice in a row now, the chips taste like they are old and reheated, and the fish has been terribly overcooked (which makes it all rubbery). Chipwicks was our go-to takeaway choice in the past, and we regarded it as the best fish and chips in Worthing. Easily. Now, however, this has changed, and to be honest, I'm not sure whether we'll go back again. A real shame.

I note the reviews here are nearly all positive, and that would most definitely have been justified once upon a time. Now though? Hmm.. I think not.

Perhaps we've just been unlucky. But that was what we said to ourselves after the first disappointment. Two weeks later, and we return to exactly the same low-quality, badly cooked food. Will we try again? Probably - in the hopes that we really were just unlucky. Twice. But four times?...