Cod Upon Thames in Kingston upon Thames

If you love the steamed-up windows of a traditional chippy on a cold evening, and a paper wrapper brimming with tasty chips, Cod upon Thames is for you. The staff are friendly and chatty, the fish is good, the chips are even better (or should that been even batter?), and it’s only the stark décor and brutalist interior that denies this little local treasure the full star rating. Maybe it's the oil, or the way they cut them, but the chips are plump and flavoursome. Burnished metal walls make it feel like you’re in a shipping container, and the counter is so high it’s only possible to glimpse the staff. But let’s focus on the food. It’s the usual mixture of bangers (some in batter), chicken, burgers and fish ‘n’ chips. Standard fish and chips is under seven quid, pies are £2.40, and you can get chip butties (£1.60), cheesy chips for £3 and standard chips – a good-sized portion – for £1.80. Extras include onion rings, mushy peas and baked beans, and Cod upon Thames also does pineapple fritters and curry sauce. Soft drinks are housed in a large fridge at the far end.