We went one lunchtime to review The Village Chippy at the invitation of the
owners, but came back with more information than we could ever have imagined,
plus a preview of another venture, The Village Chinky.
Now you have to be British to understand the terms “Chippy”
and “Chinky”, and the people behind this new venture, Brian and Paul, are both
true-blue Brits. They really do understand.
A trip to the local Chippy and Chinky is almost a rite of
passage for British people, one being the local fish and chip shop, and the
other being the local Chinese.
When
we went to sample the food at the Village Chippy, we were told that this venture
had only been going 12 weeks, but in that time they had gone through one ton of
mushy peas! (The Brits love their mushy peas!)
The concept of running a local fish and chip shop was mulled
over by Brian and Paul over four years ago, but the best venue was the stumbling
block - until this year when they came across a vacant shop at the entry to The
Village, the housing development off Third Road almost opposite the Pattaya Fire
Station. (Look for the large “Chippy” sign at the corner of the access road and
Third Road.) What made this venue even more attractive, was the fact that The
Village precinct houses an inordinate number of expatriate Brits.
With Brian having been previously involved in the
construction industry, once the decision was made, the concept just took off
from there, with one part of the building being renovated for the Chippy, and
the other part for the forthcoming Chinky. It does not end there, however, with
plans for a wine bar terrace, some function rooms and a sit-down Chinese
section, as well as a take-away.
The Chippy itself is certainly a ‘no-frills’ restaurant.
There is an al fresco terrace outside, and that was where we dined, and during
that time, the staff were kept busy by a steady stream of people stopping by for
takeaways. It is, however, not an expensive restaurant in any way.
All the fish and chips on the menu are inexpensive, with the
most expensive dish being the large cod at B. 180. In addition there is a half
roast chicken (B. 85), sausage in batter (B. 55) and even a Chinese pancake roll
(B. 50). Mushy peas, as a side is B. 25 and in the true British manner, you can
also get curry sauce (B. 30).
There is also a section devoted to pies and pasties, with all
under B. 100, with steak, beef and chicken and Cornish pasties as well.
The ordering procedure was a great method of getting correct
dishes to the diner. The menu is laminated, and you are supplied with a
white-board marker pen. Tick your choices and the waitress takes it away to the
kitchen. After that, a quick wipe and it is ready for the next customer.
Madame ordered a medium cod and chips (B. 160) and I ordered
a more simple medium fish and chips which was only B. 95, and turned out to be
more than enough for me. Both dishes came with a small container of tartare
sauce.
Yes, we did enjoy our fish and chips, the chef knows how to
cook the British chunky chip, and the batter was excellent and the fish moist.
When you look at the price, the meals are almost ridiculously cheap.
We can highly recommend The Village Chippy (40 meters down
the soi into The Village from Third Road), and if our experience is anything to
go by, the Village Chinky should be just as popular with items like Hong Kong
style sweet and sour chicken (B. 130) and roast duck in black bean sauce (B.
140) or king prawns in a sweet chilli and garlic sauce (B. 140).
The Village Chippy (and the Village Chinky), small soi from
Third Road opposite Pattaya Fire Station, open 11 a.m. until midnight seven
days, telephone 038 424 646, 038 424 787, 087 999 1246. Roadside parking in The
Village. Free delivery within a 2 km radius (minimum order B. 250).
