Whitby's Fish And Chip Restaurant, Doncaster

Always a good barometer of how good a restaurant really is, is by asking other customers.

I open the door to the award winning Whitby's Fish and Chip restaurant by Doncaster Racecourse to be met by 4 diners leaving the restaurant - "Are they really as good as everyone says?" I ask the man at the head of the party "No, they are terrible" he jokes in a typical no nonsense Yorkshire accent with a broad smile on his face, before adding quickly "no, lad I'm joking, they are the best fish and chips in the north of England, you will love them."

It's a Friday night and the restaurant is heaving. After being seated for 5 minutes whilst waiting for my table, the smell of what is to come tantalises my taste buds and my imagination.

The restaurant used is housed in a former fire station, the only alarm bells ringing though are those in my head as I ask myself why I have not been here before when I have been so close when attending events at the Racecourse which is minutes away.

The menu is quite extensive though for me it has to be haddock and it has to be cooked in beef dripping - that way you get a nice roof on your mouth that's thicker than a Yorkshireman's wallet. Thankfully I'm in a good place here.

The service is friendly and attentive - good to see that they have not stopped the standards just at the food. Tables are not cluttered, cutlery is laid out properly and the table is set with high expectations of what is to come.

If you just want a takeaway that's no problem as there is one too.

Your fish can be served battered, floured, poached or with gluten free batter. Skin on or skin off. I decided to go with the skin on (just like they do down south, though don't tell anyone) as I think it holds the fish together better. Has to be battered though, no contest.

Apparently they have a trusted supplier of fish which can be traced back to where the fish was caught.

The prime, line caught Haddock served with chips and homemade mushy peas on the side arrives. The tomato sauce and tartare sauce are presented in small cups which for me gave it a bit more class than being in a bottle.

Now I have to admit I've eaten more Fish and Chips than is good for my cholesterol levels but the haddock at Whitby's was one of the best I've tasted - succulent with the fish flaking away served in a light crispy batter. The Chips weren't bad either, nice and thick and none of this warmed up from earlier stuff.

I decided upon the homemade treacle sponge off the specials menu for dessert (though they do have at least 7 other desserts on the menu). Served piping hot it reminded me of what puddings used to be like at junior school - I loved them as the head cook knew what she was doing, no wonder I ended up an overweight child!

Coffee is served - with a biscuit too, attention to detail here again.

The no nonsense Yorkshireman I met earlier was right when he said how good they were, "We will be back again next Friday" was his parting words to me. I wonder if he will mind if I join him?

Whitby's Fish and Chip Restaurant, The Old Fire Station, Leicester Avenue, Doncaster DN2 6DR
Telephone 01302 308 130

https://www.whitbysrestaurant.co.uk/