Rick Stein’s Fish and Chips

The infamous Rick Stein review which I hear went viral across every social media platform… *gulp*.

I recently found myself in Padstow, Cornwall, a picturesque town renowned for its scenic harbour and, unfortunately, seagulls that seem to have no shame when it comes to swooping down on unsuspecting tourists. I headed to Rick Stein’s fish and chip shop, despite the whispers of caution I had heard from others. You see, Rick Stein has long been a culinary icon in the UK, and as a massive fan myself, I felt a mix of admiration and curiosity about what awaited me at his establishment.

After a quick glance at the menu, I placed my order: a regular cod portion, scampi, chips, mushy peas, gravy, and tartar sauce. As I reviewed the prices, my heart sank. The total came to a staggering £31.10, far higher than what I had paid during a previous visit to Whitby, where I enjoyed much larger portions at a fraction of the cost. To my dismay, when I asked for curry sauce, I was told it was unavailable due to the restaurant’s busyness, which was not the warm welcome I had anticipated. How can you not have any curry sauce in a fish and chip shop?

I made my away around the corner to the outdoor seating area behind the shop. As I unwrapped the package, disappointment washed over me. The cod was the smallest portion I had ever seen, and the batter was greasy, lacking the crispiness I had expected. I squeezed some lemon over the cod, hoping to enhance the flavour, but it did little to improve my experience.

As I sampled the scampi, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was likely frozen. The mushy peas appeared dull in colour and unappetising, while the gravy was cold and far from appealing. I found myself comparing everything unfavourably to my previous experience in Whitby, where I had savoured generous portions of perfectly cooked fish and chips.

By the end of the meal, my frustration had reached its peak. Not only was the quality of the food disappointing, but the high price made the whole experience feel like a significant waste of money. I even contemplated complaining to the restaurant, a first for me, but I left without saying anything, hoping that perhaps it was just an off day.

As I walked away from Rick Stein’s, I couldn’t help but feel let down. I had come in search of a fantastic fish and chips by the seaside but left with nothing but disappointment not just in the food, but in one of my favourite chefs of all time. If you’re considering dining at Rick Stein’s fish and chip shop, you might want to think twice. I hope my future dining experiences are far better, and I encourage you to share your thoughts if you’ve ventured into Rick Stein’s in Padstow. Many of you were right to warn me!

Come on Rick, sort it out!