Wilson’s

Wilson's has been serving Chingford since 1930, and it shows in the quality of their fish and chips. This family-run operation takes pride in sourcing the best fish from sustainable trawlers and using potatoes grown specifically for them locally. The results speak for themselves - they've won the 2012 National Fish & Chip Shop of the Year award and hold a 5-star Seafish Award, putting them in the top 5 shops in the London and South East region.

The batter is light and bubbly, the chips are crispy on the outside and fluffy within, and the fish is always fresh. It's not the cheapest option anymore - some regulars have complained about price increases - but you're paying for quality and a piece of local history. The shop is clean and well-lit, with friendly staff who clearly take pride in their work. Just be prepared to wait a few minutes for fresh food; they'd rather you wait than serve something that's been sitting around.

For a proper traditional British takeaway, Wilson's delivers. It's closed Sundays and Mondays, so plan accordingly, but Tuesday through Saturday you'll find locals grabbing their evening meal. Order online via Deliveroo if you want to skip the queue, but honestly, the short wait is worth it for food this good.