Take Aways

Fast food here in the UK is pretty much non-existent. There is McDonalds, but with a scaled back menu. Plus, I am not exactly a fan, so I never go there. People don't really know what a drive-thru is. One time at work I tried explaining a drive-thru Starbucks and my fellow co-workers were dumbfounded. They thought it was the craziest thing they had ever heard. But, you must be reminded that most people don't have cars.

Over here, there is a fast food of sort - take aways. Take aways always have fish and chips along with something else. This something else depends on the ethnicity of the person owning the shop. Some of the something else's I have seen include: pizza, kebabs, hamburgers (always fried - everything over here is fried), lasagna, curry...the list could go on forever. All this to say that I have become addicted to the fish and chips over here. In the states there is nothing like them, even if someone says their's are authentic...this ain't Long John Silvers folks! Here they are great. The ginormous piece of fried fish is unlike any other. It doesn't even taste like fish! Then, set it on top of huge fries with the whole package smothered in vinegar and ketchup....yummy! And, if you would like, for a little extra, you can get a side of mushy peas (which are quite good when fresh) or baked beans.

Ian and I have made it a tradition of sorts to go get fish and chips on Friday nights. Last night I measured the fish, just for you! It was 9.5 inches long and 5 inches wide! That is one substantial piece of fish! Now normally I am not a big fan of fish. But the fish used for "fish and chips" is a white fish and doesn't taste fishy at all. Plus, once I am done dousing it in ketchup and vinegar you can't taste it anyway! Take aways never have seating, so Ian and I always take it home. But, the "real" way to eat this beautiful helping of food is to sit right down on the curb and enjoy it! Ian and I have done this a couple times as well!

So, the next time you are in Edinburgh, I will make sure to take you out for a local delicacy...fish and chips eaten from a curb!