Mowden Park Fisheries in Darlington

Where do I start with this one? Was back in Darlington visiting Mum and we decided to visit friends in Mowden. I thought I’d treat them all to a fish lunch and popped into this fish & chip shop. What a mistake! Firstly, the large Japanese looking woman with the 1980s hair was quite rude with a young lad in front of me. The girl serving had no customer service skills or manners whatsoever. She was very aggressive and constantly sighing. I asked for 2 fish and chips and 2 sausage and chips and got a TUT!!!! I really should have walked out there and then and saved my money. The food was absolutely disgusting! More grease than I’ve even seen. Soggy, revolting tasting fish and the chips were not nice at all. Our friends told us afterwards that it’s an awful fish shop and they go elsewhere, and that the good reviews on their Facebook page were put by the owners friends and family. I wish I’d read the reviews on here first! Absolutely appalling!

Miserable as sin! When I've had to go, I'm met with staff who seem to hate working there, or don't know how to smile. Small portions for the money and limited menu. Cockerton chippy blow them out the water!

Tasty fish and chips, what more could you want? Portion sizes are generous too.

Awful fish and chips and funbags never looks happy

Great food, Great staff, ate far too much!

Tasty traditional fish and chips wrapped in paper.. Served by staff with traditional customer service skills.. My wife phoned in order for me to pick up on way home from work and they were ready as scheduled.

First time at this fish shop.Fish was beautiful and very white. Chips were lush too, long time since we had lovely fish and chips. Service was great ! We don't live in mowden ,we were looking after our grandaughter and after we thought t fancied fish ,definitely go back

Expensive and the fish and chips,to put it mildly were not very nice at all.I will go to Cockerton next time.

I was treated to my order at the Fish shop By a very kind stranger. Thank you very much.

Have been coming here for years. Food always excellent. Can’t fault service. Really great fish and chips.

Super very tasty and friendly staff

Don’t waste money here, chips greasy and under cooked burned scraps, I binned my as tasted vile, lady serving had no customer service, we will never return.

Just been to this fish shop (17/11/20).....I got cheese & onion & chips & curry & my husband got fish bites & small chips ... absolutely gorgeous meal ,we will be back ....the shop itself is so very clean ,which is nice to see ....staff fab too xx

The fish and chips are lovely and it's extremely clean. After reading many of these reviews regarding the staff. I've been in there many times when they have to tollerate really rude customers who seem to think the staff should have amazing hearing and should jump through hoops. When in fact the staff always do their best to keep customers happy and are pleasant even when faced with difficult customers. But unfortunately it would seem people rather than being nice in difficult times find it far to easy to come on trip advisor to slam a business doing its best.

Best fish and chips. I’ve looked at reviews, I’m shocked not had a bad experience in there. Always cheerful smiling and a bit of Elvis playing in the back ground.

Fish and chips are very average. We all wear mask out of consideration for others. It is not easy to be heard or understood. Staff are ignorant of this fact. I witnessed them being short tempered and frankly rude to a young woman. Won’t be returning. Reading reviews it appears this is not the first time. Better chippies elsewhere deserving business

Friendly staff great food. Cleanest fish shop I’ve ever been in. COVID 19 up to standard everything in place. Spot on 👍

Disgusting service, rude and aggressive to a mother with her young son. No patience at all. The younger lady particularly aggressive. Didn’t even manage to get the food as couldn’t finish my order for the scowls, shaking heads and aggressive tone of voice. I will never return.

Been in recently staff extremely rude and quite aggressive would not recommend and would never go back.

I’ve heard from several people how unpleasant and rude the staff are, but thought I’d see for myself.. couldn’t quite believe how poor their customer service was, young girl with dark hair was abrupt, rude and aggressive it was as though she was doing me a favour! I would never visit again.

I was impressed by the cleanliness of the place decent size of portion s well cooked good value be back soon

Fast service and good fish and chips etc

Great food, just wish they accepted card payments

Lovely fish and chips with great service, what more can you ask for? 👍👍👍

Friendly staff and good fish and chips

Actually I didn't get anything to eat here, I was just passing. But I hear it's good

Best fish and chips I have had for a long time

Good fish very white how I like fish batter very good chips could have been cooked more

The best service and chips in town! Angie, Sue and the team are very helpful and friendly

Really friendly, helpful staff and wonderful food!! Well worth the money!!!

Great tasting fish and chips not too greasy, good service, and quality. Visited quite late and still selection available.

Nice but fish quite small compared to others I go too

Best fish and chips in town, been going for years and never been disappointed. Price is very reasonable too. Staff are friendly

Lovely food. Clean oil. Great staff. Had large sausage and chips with pineapple ring, delicious

They have Lost the plot, got home to find half my order missing . Even after asking him 3 times are you sure you wrapped the kids meals

Expensive for what you get and my oh my - what miserable women! The fryer guy seems cheerful enough - I assume he's the owner - if so he needs to either get his servers on a customer service course or replace the lot of them. Try North Road or Yarm Road chippys - cheaper, better food and customer service.

Just ordered fish and chips and drove home to find, a bag of chips. £13 for 2 bags of chips and a kids sausage and chips. Not very happy and no phone number to call to complain.

If you want an extra large fish or something special, just ask as you come in and they will cook it for you.

We sometimes go here to get fish and chips. The staff are very courteous and friendly. The fish and chips are always very good.

Great food, lovely man working the tills, and no large waiting times. What more could you ask for?

The fish and chips are absolutely delicious and I would definitely try their food if you pass by Mowden.

Hair in my food and not only that it was only slightly warm... won’t be returning to this place. Tasted better elsewhere!!!!!!!!

Terrible service from the dark/purple haired female. I have looked at other reviews from here and i am relieved it wasn't just me who was spoken to like muck from the employees of this place! I only asked for my fish to be well done and the long sigh that came out of her was so obvious that i narked her off. The fish was certainly well done to the point i needed a carving knife to cut into it it was that rock hard. Never again.

Really rude blonde lady served me, tutted and looked as if I'd asked her to catch the fish when I asked her to leave the bag open. It's for this reason I'll not be going back. The owner could do so much better

First time ive tried this place. I had fish n chips and mushy peas. I was waiting for the shop opening so the food was just out the fryer. The chips were cooked perfectly, the fish was small but enough for me and the peas were a real winner. I'll definitely be going again.

Been coming here for years the fish and chips are lovely every time, shame about the miserable staff though a part from the jolly guy.

Entered shop at approximately 6:50 hoping to get fish&chips and was told by the server they were closing, and was offered a burger that looked as old as the decor and some microwaved kebab meat. I quickly declined and was tutted at by the miserable woman. How rude! I shall not be returning.

After reading all the bad reviews I was rather sceptical of visiting but kept a open mind.First impressions were how badly dated the shop was inside! I entered the shop at 6:50 and waited while the mother/daughter team chatted to some builders, after about 10minutes they turned to me and said they had stopped serving!! I was shocked and all I got was a mucky look!I certainly won't be visiting this establishment again..how rude!

well this was an experience... something i do not want to experience again! The food isn't very nice at all... batter was all soggy, scrag end of a fish too which tasted yuk! The service was unreal... and not in a good way either, girl behind the counter was huffing and puffing and there was no manners at all. There seemed to be a bad atmosphere in the place between staff. Not very good with welcoming customers... which is bad for business!!! Better fish and chips elsewhere so i will never return to Mowden chippy again!

After I arrived home after a very unsatifactory experiance with the customer service (Brown/purple haired miserable woman) at the local mowden chippy, I was rather excited to tuck into my Friday night treat but was hit with what looked like something Gordon Ramsey would pull out of a failing restaurants refrigerator unit. I had ordered a large cod, chips and scraps but I got a little more than I had asked for. Deep within the soggy mess of my so called 'food' was what apeared to be a small piece of curved plastic, after fighting to pull it from inbetween my incisors for a good while it finally released its grasp and I realised exactly what it was... a fingernail. Shocked I threw it in the bin and I swear never to return to this shambles of a place, absolutely disgusted.

Since we moved house and had limited cooking facilities we have visited the fish and chip shop every Friday night.They are consistently good my only comment is you get far too many chips.probably suits many people,but we end up wasting a lot.

Es difícil poner en palabras cómo Estoy indignado por el pésimo servicio acabo de recibir. La mujer con pelo oscuro detrás del mostrador es el persona que he tenido la desgracia de reuniones. Ella en realidad me gritó porque no había oído su pregunta de si quería mi chips abrir o envuelto, luego chistaba( y sacudí la cabeza en todos los otros clientes esperando como para probar y humillar a mí. Ella solo ella apareció por suerte como el hombre que me dio una especie guiño y sonrisa. Estoy enojado que yo dejé hablar a mí como eso. Seguro decir que ninguno de mi familia (mucho) se viven en Mowden nunca volvería. Las patatas fritas eran por debajo! Mucho mejor chippies cerca!

The large cod is more like Moby Dick! The fish is cooked order and well worth the wait, the whitby scampi is also delicious and the mushy peas are heaven!

Usually a short wait as often a queue but this gives you a chance to order anything a bit special,, e.g. no batter or large haddock

Cuando visite una tienda de chips, deseo de servicio, preferiblemente con una sonrisa, pero hey, a envolver las comida y me quedaré en mi camino. Parece que depende del estado de ánimo de el equipo de madre e hija, como qué tipo de servicio es ofrecido, depende de si tu rostro se ajusta a como reaccionar. La comida no está mal, para ser justos, pero el resto de la experiencia puede ser bastante ridícula. Señoras sonrisa. . . estás en Tripadvisor!

Rubbish fish and chips staff very rude and I would not go back to this fish shop also more expensive

When we want a quick meal we know we can rely on Mowden Fisheries for quality takeaway fish and chips and quick friendly service. The portions are generous and always of good quality.

I have used this chippie regularly and the fish and chips are tasty and good portions.staff are also friendly.

Hae read various reviews complaining about the staff. We find them as obliging as anyone has time to be in a busy fish and chip shop. Fish and chips are lovely, and cooked in clean, non smelly fat or oil. We are new to the area and are so pleased to have a Friday night chippie!!!

Fish and chips, well cooked, good portions, good price, mushy peas, bread and butter.............say no more.......

I stopped going here because the girl behind the counter was so rude. On my first visit, i put it down as a 'one off'. But upon further visits i found her manner to be exactly as the other reviewers have described it.

I have been meaning to write a review about this place for sometime now, we call at 13.15hrs bearing in mind the shop closes at 13.30hrs. The dark hair female working behind the counter totally ignored us on arrival and was serving a young couple who she seemed to know. After about 10 minutes of waiting she began to serve the young couple and asked if they wanted chips, the young female said she didn't want any chips but the server persuaded her to have at least 1/2 a bag. The server then turned to us bearing in mind we had been waiting 10 minutes and said, "THERES NO CHIPS LEFT". I was shocked by this as she had just cooked some for the couple in front of us and when I said it would have been nice to know this when we walked in she told me "OH JUST SHUT UP". Great customer service from a rude server and I have spoke to other customers who have said she is always like that. Hence we haven't visited since. If I ran this business she would be sacked.

I have read several disparaging reviews about this Fish & Chip shop, and I'm not quite sure whether the reviews are genuine? (Or from jealous competitors?!?, or stroppy customers)I am a regular user of this establishment. Every Tuesday as it happens. I accept that the staff have a unique style about them, but rude they are certainly not. (To the point, maybe) If you turn up within 15 minutes of closing time, you might find the dryers are turned off, and your choice might be down to what's left. Isn't that the same as most other Fish & Chip shops?The quality of the fish is excellent, and the batter always tastes fresh.If you want to make sure of your order, if you are planning to eat near closing time, ring your order in early, and they'll have it ready for you.We haven't had a bad meal here yet, and we have been coming here for ages. So, are we just lucky? I think not!!

I can honestly say the worst fish and chips i have ever had, ended up putting in the bin.i asked her to get me fish bites and chips, when she came back she was really annoyed at the way the girl had spoken to her,then when i opened the packet they were the scrag ends of very cold chips with 6 very little brown fish meat bites also very cold, only 5 minutes drive away from were we live so no excuse to be so cold They will never get my custom again and i will be telling my family to avoid like the plague.

Great fish & chips at decent price, with staff who expect to be told when you come in if you want fish without batter or a large haddock. Opening times are pretty tight so don't expect to just turn up anytime and expect them to have anything left. Some kids meals and usual trimmings such as mushy peas, chip shop curry sauce, cans and open lunchtime, but I stick to the traditional cod & chips 6pm Fridays and never been disappointed.

Abrupt, unfriendly and unpleasant service. Staff openly swear when talking to each other. We will never go there again.

I'm not sure were these reviews come from that the food is horrendous. I have lived in the area for about 10 years and use the chip shop quite frequently. I'm such a fussy eater myself and have never found a problem with the food or the service.

I have visited this fish and chip shop plenty of times in the past and I cannot even count on one hand how many times the female staff have even been near polite. It is like it is a hassle for them to serve you. A few days ago I visited the shop with pre-existing knowledge of what their staff have the tendancies to be like and to my expectancy, they were extremely rude, the rudest I have ever been treat when investing in something beneficial to a retailer. I walked out wishing I had said something to this so called 'lady' about her totally unacceptable behaviour. I have witnessed this utter rudeness to young 16 years+ college students and have now personally been on the recieving end of it. Their attitude and 'cba' approach has put me right off going and they will never be getting any of my service again. I strongly do not recommend stepping foot into this fish shop, unless you want to be somewhat offended by these foul mouthed women. Shame as the old man working there is the complete opposite and is a joy to talk to.

Regularly use this fish and chip shop, great fish and chips and always immaculately clean. Father in law from out of town always wants a fish supper from here when he visits. I can't understand the negative comments about the staff who always appear friendly.

I used this fish shop whilst visiting in the Mowden area and will NOT be stepping foot in there again !! The women serving are so God damn rude. I was tutted at by the younger one, the older one was 'playing' with a young child running around near the fryers which I found a health and safety hazard. The boy must have been 3 or 4 years old and was swearing at people in the shop and the women were giggling!! I didn't get a please or thank you when I placed my order and although the chips were average, the fish was not nice at all. A waste of money!!! Don't bother with this fish shop, it's probably the worst one in Darlington

It serves good Fish and Chips and associated batter based products. Service is cheerful enough and prices keen.

Everytime iv been in the staff have been very rude and miserable, it's like they are doing you a favour. Don't go at 7pm and expect food it's like they can't wait to get home. The last time I had fish it was soggy. There are plenty more fish&chips shops in Darlington that are better and glad of your custom.

I have used this chip shop on several occasions before and its always been alright, hot and a fair price.I called in this lunchtime as the lights were on and door open. It was clear that they had cleaned and were about to close but had some chips, sausages and other things sat in the hot cupboard. I waited 3 minutes as no one was around, I shouted hello a couple of times with no reply and eventually a lady came through and stared at me, she then said they were closed. I asked if I could buy the sausage and chips that were sat there waiting and was given the response that "I am in m clothes now" (not in her work wear) and then was tutted at.I will not be using this shop again, they clearly did not want my money for the food that was going to waste.

Great, freshly fried simple red hot food. YUM :)What more can you say about Fish and Chips? Good Value for money, friendly service, chatty staff , clean premises. Batter crispy although can be a tad heavy, I order lightly battered middle cod, and I would highly recommend ordering a lightly battered portion on entering, don't have to wait too long for it to be cooked to order and it was well worth the short wait, far better than thick batter, you don't feel so guilty for the indulgence :) ENJOY

chips are never cooked, never even tried a fish dont think I would ever bother to be honest, also the staff are very miserable

Staff very rude and even tho open until 7pm don't expect food as all the fryers are being cleaned at 6.30 and any food offered is leftovers served begrudgingly

Lovely chippy and always popular! Just hits the spot when in a hurry.

Prob one of the best in Darlington - not greasy - always cooked fresh - well worth a visit!

Fish was too flat and thin and the portion of chips was small.

What's important here is the quality of the produce. Fresh, chunky chips. Thick cuts of fish. Nice. Premises sparkling clean.Quite like the dapper chap serving you. Don't take my view, give it a go.

This chip shop makes you feel as if they are doing you a favour.Very rude behaviour by the girls behind the counter.Dont bother!!