Foodie left baffled by Northern food combo as he visit fish and chip shop

Foodie left baffled by Northern food combo as he visit fish and chip shop Fish and chips is one of the most popular British meals, with a variety of add-ons, sides and sauces helping food lovers customise their orders but one man couldn't get over one hit flavour combo A food fan couldn’t wrap his head around an unusual combination at one of London’s oldest fish and chip shops - but it’s something many people love. Fish and chips are a British institution. The Friday night staple is arguably one of our most famous dishes, perhaps just as beloved as the enduringly popular Sunday roast and full English breakfast. There’s no shortage of popular chippies up and down the country and everyone has their favourite venue when they’re craving a decent serving of carbs and battered goodness. Toby Inskip, who is a popular food content creator who posts online under the alias Eating with Tod, ventured to Rock and Sole Plaice in Covent Garden, London. The restaurant’s claim to fame is that it’s one of the oldest fish and chip restaurants in the capital city. Accompanying Toby to the historic chippy was professional mixed martial artist Tom Aspinall, who comes from Salford, in the north west of England. Documenting their experience in a TikTok video, Toby began: “Today we're trying the oldest fish and chip shop in London - and I’ve got a very special guest.” He continued: “This is Rock and Sole Plaice, which has survived two world wars, been around for 150 years but, today, I wanted to ask the question, which chippies are better, northern or southern?” And it was a popular northern food combination that left Toby scratching his head. The camera cut to show him holding his plate up to the lens to give viewers a closer look. Toby went on: “Before we get into the fish, we got to try the London sides. “This includes pickles, coleslaw and a pickled egg.” Tom asked: “How’d you do it?” Before picking up the pickled egg and taking a bite. He simply said: “That’s not great.” To which, Toby replied: “You’re not tapping out, are you?” The duo then moved on to assessing the fish. Toby said: “Next up, we’ve got the battered cod - and then Tom starts slathering gravy everywhere. “Come on, mate, what you doing? Not on the fish, surely. The batter is gonna get all soggy.” But Tom simply quipped: “Bonus points for that.” Tom branded the gravy “not that good” and while Toby thought it was “so thick”, Tom was adamant it wasn’t thick enough and “not proper” northern-style gravy. At this point, Toby decided to give the north’s beloved chips and gravy a go for himself - but he couldn’t wrap his head around the hype, especially after sampling gravy on his fish. Despite the popularity of adding gravy to a chippy order up north, Toby confessed: “I don’t get it.” When the pair had finished their meals, UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom concluded: “This was good, but it’s not a northern chippy. A northern chippy takes it, easy.” Both Tom and Toby then delivered the Eating with Tod catchphrase to the camera: “If you can’t take a date, take a mate.” In the comments section, fellow TikTok users were divided on whether gravy had any place on fish or whether it should solely be reserved for the chips. Others were quick to sing the praises of chip shop curry sauce.