But to expand his search for the best salty feed was in the city, Mr McWally Wilson started a Facebook group called Christchurch Fish and Chip Reviews. And now it has put the humble Kiwi fast food vendors under more pressure than ever before.
After adding a couple of friends, the page started to heat up.
“It was actually quite crazy I only added about eight people. Then another person added all their mates and everyone just joined the band wagon and started posting up reviews left, right and centre.
By the end of the first night, it had hit 100 members. A month later, there were 2000 members.
Mr McWally Wilson’s group has now cracked 4000 members. Hundreds of reviews have been posted, which analyse, examine and evaluate the decadent art of making the perfect chips, fish and hot dogs.
He used to live in Bromley, where he admits there “isn’t that many good fish and chip shops and the ones we knew were s**t.”
“Then we were over in Cashmere and drove past a fish and chip shop, it was absolutely packed and we were like ‘holy, maybe we should try that place sometime’.
“It was a 15 min drive but we went there and it was average, wasn’t that great. We were wondering why there were so many people in there? So we just wanted to find out where the best fish and chips were,” he said.
Like many other Kiwis, the volunteer worker admits a weekend dinner of fish and chips was a big part of his childhood. He isn’t a huge fan of cooking, so takeaways are an easy option.
“I’ve only cooked at home 30 times in the past five years. I only get it (fish and chips) once or twice a month. When it’s quite a cold night, fish and chips go well. It’s cheap and everyone is happy,” he said.
Mr McWally Wilson said it has been “quite amazing” how the page has grown.
“Some of the reviews on there just go over the top, it’s unbelievable. One guy did a video review, it was unreal.”
The group has even honoured Christchurch clairvoyant and medium, Ron L. Griffiths, whose poster is on the wall of most highly-rated fish and chip shops.
“It makes or breaks a good chippy shop. I think it was one of the very first reviews and it said it’s not a good chippy shop if it doesn’t have Ron on the wall . . . it’s now quite a known fact if you go to any well-known fish and chop shop, there will be a poster of Ron Griffiths on the wall.”
What group members are saying online about Christchurch's fish and chip shop
- “Battered rig: Perfectly succulent, much like Susan Boyle on a hot summer’s day. Potato fritters: About as doughy as Lewis Capaldi, wrong spud type would prefer white pearlers. Meat patties: First attempt these left me hot and sweaty knees weak arms are heavy. Second attempt was cool. Chips: About as golden as Jack Goodhue’s luxurious locks, seriously how good is his mullet? Hot dogs: Caused some serious wet gills. Who doesn’t stick dogs these days? Wee bit upset about the amount of batter on the stick personally I like a clean stick. Crab sticks: Nothing crusty about these crabs.”
- ”Wouldn’t go back there unless I was drunk-as across the road and gagging for a feed.”
- “Blue cod burger 2/10 buckle in for a roller-coaster ride of soggy buns and fish as old yesterdays news. . . this disappointed harder than my third form report card . . . blue cod is supposed to be light and flaky this was like a foam mattress paired with a soggy bun, sewage brown lettuce and mayo that tasted cheap.”
- “The place dreams are made of. The place families re-unite and put past terrible shop selections aside. The place where no matter what you select, you will not be judged. Tonight I went with a chicken fillet. Tender, moist and most importantly 100 per cent sliced skinless chicken breast.
- “Dog’s rating was as always, serving size too small, woof/10.”
- “Opening up the parcel to much anticipation, I marvelled at the size of the scoop straight away.”
- “I’ll cut to the chase, burger was marvellous 8/10. Fritter was one of the best I’ve ever had 10/10. Hot dog was of the stick variety and a proper sausage, 9/10. Dog smashed back the squid rings and wanted more so 10/10.”
- “Worst chicken burger. Too much onion, may as well be an onion burger.”
- “The fish – my god was the fish disappointing and frankly quite disgusting. The batter was under-cooked, the fish was old, slimy and smelly.”
- “The chips are seasoned nicely and have a clean taste . . . the default fish is always a good size, tastes fresh and the batter has enough crunch and structure.”
