W.J Rowe Ltd in Stevenage

Just went through best fish and chips shops in Herts ranking and got highly disappointed that this place wasn’t there! Can’t count how many shops in UK I have visited, W.J. Rowe is the only one where I enjoy my battered sausages and amazing Irish curry sauce. Honestly, there is nothing better than that curry sauce. Even though I moved out from Stevenage, I know I’ll be visiting the shop whenever I’m around.

Just recieved our lunch time delivery from William.... tasty fresh fish, scampi, nuggets, sausage, fishcake and not forgetting the chips. Everything was hot and freshly cooked....everyone gave their food 10 out of 10. Thank you for keeping our staff happy

William has just catered for our office lunch. Everyone enjoyed the freshly cooked food and the curry sauce was amazing.

This fish and chip shop is amazing. The staff are so lovely and attentive. In current situation with COVID-19 the service has been quick and great! The food is delicious and always well served. I would suggest this to anyone who is looking for Friday night takeaway or quick pick up food.

I used to think this was the best place, but my last 2 visits have dispelled this.Just before Christmas l ended up with a normal sausage, rather than an a battered one ordered. I was a BIT annoyed as the server obviously didn't do as requested, but hey ho!Tonight, the server was more engaged with new customers, that when advised by the fryer that existing order were ready, the new customers were dealt with first.When it came to our order we repeated what we wanted .At this point I was advised that the small cod wasn't available only medium, reluctantly I said yes, it was served up and we wentWhen we got home my fish wasn't there, I ended up with sausage & chips, not sausage, fish and chips When I phoned up, I was given an excuse, and told we hadn't been charged,and i could come back down for the fish (really?)I realise in the big wild world this is not mega, but, to the owners I will be looking to other shops where I get what I ordered

the standard of food has been high for so long here but fish at lunch time can be a bit up and down the last few months but still better than most. i love the Cod here.

This is unsurprisingly always busy, especially on a Friday night. The fish is cooked to order and the wait isn't too bad, plus the staff are really friendly and fun. Neither fish nor chips are greasy, just crispy - delicious! Different types of fish available, such as rock and skate, plus they serve proper mushy peas! Kids meals also available.

A couple of evenings ago i went to the above establishment and purchased a Fish and Chip supper. They are advertised as a quality fish and chip shop and best around !. In Stevenage it is very difficult to disagree or so i thought. I purchased a Large Cod and Chips and went home to eat my supper which smelt superb. However when opening the paper that smell of sublimed anticipation quickly disappeared ! not by the quality of the fish which was excellent, but by the chips. They fell apart, were dry and mushy and inedible. I believe the wrong potatoes had been used but there may well be another explanation. I have had chips from this establishment before and they were very good. So, i know they are capable in providing both good fish and chips, so why compromise quality ???my gripe is that they must have known the chips were substandard but sold them never- the- less. Sorry Mr Rowe must try harder, the cost demands first class product every time not just now and again.!!!

I have been going to WJ Rowe’s for some years now and it remains the best chip shop in town. The fish is cooked nicely and the batter is crispy. The chips always have a nice fresh taste. I would also recommend the Irish curry sauce as well. The staff are always friendly and like to have a joke. In fact, I may go there for dinner tonight!

If you want a nice piece of fish then you won't get better than this one in Stevenage. There are chip shops that do better chips but I don't believe that anyone does a better piece of fish.

This is meant to be the ultimate in fish and chips it's very well marketed but nothing special the owner tries to hard to be nice his cringey but the staff are great

Saturday early evening 5.15, batter light and crispy but fish very dry, chips were soggy, don’t think I’ll go back!

Had fish & chips from here the other night, which was the first time in ages (only because we haven’t eaten F&C in ages)! Not disappointed at all, Rowe’s still got it’s quality taste, great customer service and good price!! It has to be the best fish and chips in Hertfordshire!

We have never had a bad meal from this chip shop. The chips are the best in town and the fish is amazing x

I promise you now, you will have no reason to be mad or disappointed! I've never ever been to a better chip shop! There's so much banter in there, you walk in and the atmosphere is amazing! But the food, oh the food! Wonderful!

Fish in batter was excellent , the battered sausages are lovely and crisp and tasty . The staff were polite and efficient .

You can not fault the quality of the fish and of course the chips from "Rowey,s" One of the cleanest and most organised shops I have ever been in. I have been getting my fish and chips here for over 40 years.

Had the most delicious meal. Great value for money had medium cod & chips x 2, adult chicken nuggets and chips and sausage and chips and was under £20. Great portion sizes, I’ve read other reviews that say they are small but I can tell you they are completely substantial. We are regulars here because it really is the best fish and chip shop in Stevenage!! You can phone your order and collect which is great! Great tasting freshly cooked food, completely delicious!!!!

Very nice kids love a treat in the week childs cod and chips each they love it i am also partial to a cod in a bun every know and then 2.70 for that us a great deal so nice defo a fav of mine

We went there one evening to try the fish n chips, The people were lovley,you certainly get your money's worth the portions are huge, The lady who served us ask where did we come from so we said near Hitchin so she wrapped our order in foil so it didn't get cold, we've never had that done before. You have to get there early because of the queuing. Highly recommended.

We had a family member come around who liked fish and chips especially from bedwell. We always go to Rowes fish and chip shop. Because the fish and chips is the best in stevenage. I have got to know the proprieter and some of the staff as we go there quite a few times throught the year. The service is excellent and they are reasonably priced. Fish and chips,Rowes.

Placed a large order for a work function and changed the order at 11am was due to collect at 12! was quick flexible and yummy! Great service and they even provided cutlery!

I personally find the employees rude and unprofessional. This is because as I walked into the fish and chip shop, the young employee didn't give me a pleasant look, and then started to talk about me to another employer, behind the counter. Of which I could hear all of this. As I had place my order the employees were demanding. After waiting and them wrapping up my order, and getting home to eat my meal, the order was cold. I find this very unprofessional and all customers should be treated with respect.

Regularly visit this fish shop for fish and chips with occasionally a saveloy and the odd mushy peas. Pretty much does what it says on the tin with friendly service and freshly cooked food.

Pains me to write this review as on and off been a regular here years. Not again. Now the fish is ok. The service is great. Cleanliness second to none.

Wet chips, poor and soggy batter, over priced for what it is. Shame as this used to be a great little chippy, not so much anymore.

Wj Rowe has gone down hill always wet chips soggy loads of bruised chips often.microwave pie who won't s this very expensive small bits of fish small portions.

El mejor pescado y patatas fritas por millas. Ganador de un premio. Prepárese para hacer cola en el fin de semana. Probar su recién preparado con impresionantes porciones de abadejo patatas fritas. Bill, el propietario y su excelente equipo de personal proporciona la mejor cena de pescado en cualquier lugar en el condado, no busques más allá de W. J. Rowes.

Suerte que están en Stevenage tener dos grandes tiendas de pescado frito con patatas fritas! ! Rowes es magnífico. Yo siempre he pescado y patatas fritas en un viernes, así que el estar aquí con el personal maravilloso y gran "sentir" el viernes. . .

This is supposed to be the best fish and chips in Stevenage! I must admit we have had some good fish from here but this was not one of them, it’s must be one of the worse fish I have ever had If you strive to be the best in town you must server the best consistently, you cannot serve this cr*p it was very dry which means it’s not very fresh, a fresh fish is what I call “wet” full of moisture this was not and supposedly a large cod, this was what I would call small! the photo from another fish restaurant shows what a Large fish looks like because these guys don’t know ! it will be a long time before we use this place again

The best fish and chips around, cooked fresh, generous portions and fantastic customer service. If you like curry sauce you must try the Irish curry sauce, it is now the only curry sauce I will eat.

by far the best "chippe" I stevenage, a large selection of fried food freshly cooked to order if required," William" is exstemly pleasent and will help you any way he can.

Not much to say - good fish and chip shop. Not the best I've had, but better than most. Good service, always busy and the fish is always fresh and fried to order.

Brilliant. Best F and C in Stevenage .Staff all very friendly and helpful. Good value and well presented meal. Shop well kept.

Really impressed with the great service, smile, banter and last but not least the tastiest fish and chips in Stevenage

Visited twice - couldn't care less service and got the order totally wrong both times on takeaway and not even an apology for trekking all the way back to get it changed. Food was greasy and tasted crap so ended up throwing it anyway. Plenty of far nicer places to go like Days or the old town fish shop.

Always freshly cooked, beautiful white whole pieces of fish and real potato chips. Plus service with a smile. Highly recommended

I don't know how to write a hundred words to describe the fact that I don't know what my husband asked for, a medium or a large, but you could have fitted the amount of fish there was in my meal in a sardine tin. Its tail was all curled up as well, as if it had already been in a sardine tin for much of its life. Loads of greasy batter to cover it up. We're not going there again.

Always used Rowes, but of late it has definitely gone downhill. Recently tried The Fish and Chip Shop in the old town. There is no comparison, the fish is excellent and tastes fresh. Sorry Rowes, you have been knocked off the top fish bar in town.

Best chip shop in Stevenage well with a visit . Service is friendly always cooking fresh items, food never greasy

I popped in for a cod and chips takeaway as I was in the area. It was truly excellent, lovely fluffy chips and the cod was superb with crispy light batter. This is a very popular place and rightly so

As a seaside spud boy growing up, the workings of a chippy are second nature. I have rarely come across a good quality chippy such as this.Cash only is a rare breath of fresh air.Ex large Cod and Chips enough to feed a small family well.Sausage and Chips enough for 2 kids.Would not doubt the food here.Friendly banter and engaging for all family.

This is a first class establishment. The quality of fish and chips may be equalled but not beaten. Family run, attention to detail, spotless and always a smile and joke for all. I travel several miles, passing many similar chippies, to get the best. Why don't you give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

Absolutely great fish and chips. The portions are so big that two people will be full if they buy a small portion of chips. The service is very friendly and quick. Bear in my if you want Friday's dinner, start queuing up from 4:30pm as otherwise you may wait for some time... This only reflects how good it is!

Recently went here on the positives it's immaculately clean the staff are friendly and professional, it does have a quality feel to it however on the negative front I found the packaging to be excessive and the portions very small and it's in the scruffiest shopping centre I've ever seen.

The best fish and chips in Stevenage. Always happy staff selling excellent products. Having been using for years and the quality is always good

This place really does do the best fish supper in town. We have a fish shop on our doorstep but prefer to drive here instead as the food is of a much higher quality at an almost equal price. As they serve it in boxes the batter on the fish is still nice and crispy by the time we get home.If you haven't already it is definitely worth giving this place a try

I haven't seen any other fish and chip takeaway that compares. The shop is spotlessly clean. The décor sparkles. The staff are smart, polite and quick.The food is better than anywhere else that I've tried.Bottom line is that WJ Rowe appear to make that extra special effort that I've never had anywhere.Please note that this is a takeaway only restaurant. SteveBalstone

Since discovering this chip shop this is the only one I now visit. There are two chip shops closer to my home but I would rather make the journey. The food always tastes nice regardless of the time of day you visit. The staff are very friendly. The only negative is you do have to queue up quite often but only because the food is being freshly cooked.

Best fish/saveloy and chips in Stevenage- if its not open chances are then I just wont have them! Easily accessible.

There are always advertisements in all local paper, radio etc about this chippy so thought I would give it a go. I wish I hadn't as it was just mediocre, the chips were soggy and bland, really disappointing. If you put yourself on a pedestal then there is an expectation of perfection and quality which this place is clearly lacking!

The portions are very small and not tasty. Despite its continuous advertisements in the local press it does not come close to the superb fish and chips at Ocean Delight in Rockingham way. The portions at Ocean Delight is far bigger and tastier and would not look twice at WJ Rowe and we live in Bedwell.

A family run affair that just gets better with each generation. proper old fashioned chippy with good modern methods! Excellent food and just the right sort of service.

Great service, well cooked food, large portions, attentive staff - the best fish and chip shop in Stevenage!

Went in last Thursday night around eight, second in line, fryer in his usual position, not sure he ever moves, young guy serving. Only wanted chips (£1.50p). Deep scraping ensued, obviously not much left in the chip collection box (sorry I don't know what they call it) and hey ho a scoop of what can only be described as "bits" tumbled on to the wrapping paper. As the server went in for another search, I toyed with the idea of saying don't bother, or is that the best you can do, but I chickened out, and watched as the second scoop of rubbish was presented. Paid up, grudging every penny and took them home (two minutes). Didn't even bother unwrapping them. Straight in the bin. I normally avoid this shop as it is not my first bad experience, but I had a senior moment and forgot. In it's favour the place normally goes like a fair with queues out the door at times. So I'm not sure whether I'm just unlucky or other people are more easily pleased. Suggest you go in when the boss is there.

I visit w.j.Rowe every week, I have to say this is the most consistent fish and chips shop i have ever been to, they are always top quality with everything including their service, highly recommend.

This has to be the best fish & chips around the area, every time it's first class, they have total passion for what they do, best to eat straight away as with all if you travel with it is not as good as eating out of the paper there and then, if you want good fish & chips this is the place to go. SG1 1NA

If you live in the area you will have no doubt seen adverts for this place. Often proclaimed as the best around so they have a lot to live uptoWell the portions are tiny in comparison to its competitors, the food is average at a stretch and it's in an area that leaves a lot to be desiredIf you're in bedwell pop in, otherwise don't bother

Always had good fish and chips from here. Best I have found in Stevenage unless anyone knows better.Will travel from Great Ashby to here

Despite the promotional side of this place, and obviously involves a lot of passion from owner and staff, this is not the best in Stevenage for Fish & Chips. Good cuts of fish, but chips were Luke warm. Very good service it's comical banter between owner, staff and customers.

This place may well be at risk of losing its reputation as the best chippy in the area, my last experience involved having to listen to some smart Alec/young lad behind the counter telling everyone how wonderful he was......he was the one bossing all the older women about, not the congenial owner Mr Rowe. Mr Rowe obviously had other fish to fry that night......viewing the competition in the Old Town perhaps ???? The atmosphere was terrible in there, the wait was long and we all had to hear about whether the young man could tell a large portion from a small portion ........what a bore !

We go to Rowe's approximately once a week and it is the best fish and chips we have ever tasted. The staff are lovely and always acknowledge you. Wouldn't go anywhere else.

Food is really nice.however the portions are small. On the occasion the poor lady that works there has served a fair sized packet of chips the boss has publicly told her off in front of staff about giving away too many chips. Many of my colleagues have stopped using them now due to small portion sizes and some of them arn't even Fattys.

The Rowes have got a fantastic legacy and reputation in the Bedwell area.They have a proper family business and in every way you feel the pride in their work when you walk in. They strive to give excellent service and it is natural to all of the staff there. Great quality fish and chips, a pleasure to have this in my local area. Very lucky!

Every week I open the local Comet newspaper where W.J Rowes chip shop places a three quarter page advert saying, "Award winning fish and chips....." "We use Frymax oil ".. Having Read the hype ..Listened to the local hype, decided to give them a go. First impressions were good..It had moved on from the 1970s ....The shop was spotlessly clean . The staff looked smart with their uniforms on . A bit brash and falsely friendly . It was a Saturday night and I decided I didint want to cook. .. It was only 8pm and there were loads of staff around piling up cod and haddock and frying chips...Good oooh I'll get my chips quickly. I pointed out savaloy and a bit of cod and large chips only to be told it was for an order.....I waited for a good 20 mins to be served there were loads of people behind me lol ... So eventually I got served by this poor young lad who was a bag of nerves...He was being ordered around by the big fat bully in white obviously Rowe ..who was just about to get my grub on its way, only to be told to give me a flyer about calling Radio Bob FM??? to say how wonderful his chips were!!!!!. BEFORE GETTING MY ORDER TOGETHER. Finally I was being served to go cod, savaloy, large chips -& curry sauce . Paid large got small !.. into those boxes where the food gets cold ..the curry sauce was very thin and disappointing having asked me if I wanted Irish..plain or spicy .. Curry sauce is curry sauce lol ! Hurry up ! Lol I asked for 2 gherkins which took ages as he wrapped them up in two massive bits of paper lol ..tight with the salt and vinegar ...Any case.... got it all home out of yet another big paper bag out of its neat box unwrapped the chips had to zap it in the microwave as it was cold .The portions are tight ...and the food itself bizarre...no flavour no evidence of a chippy having cooked it ..Homoginsed and bland ...my kitchen smelt like hot card board and it tastes for what I imagine it to be too. I have been 3 times now to give it a fair chance each time cardboard anaemic chips with no flavour ...Get this Greedy Rowe ...Fish and Chips is a robust classic ...A treat ...I want flavour . The example of giving a sweetener to his regulars was a loyalty card that had to be stamped each time cod and chips until you get to 4 x4 purchased,The 5th one is free., if you buy once a week.has to be used within 4 weeks of the 1st one,.. So only a few people will get a freebee ...knowing that most sensible people don't eat fish and chips every week ..The offer is never going to happen lol The adverts just says look at me ....Come spend your money no offers or discounts ...A chip shop doesn't need to advertise the food will do the rest..... Over hyped but in Stevenage there isint much competition

We ordered 2 chicken and chips and two large cod and chips.on getting them home we found that the chicken was ice cold in the middle and the fish was only warm although both had just been cooked.We did take them back and they did offer us some fresh chicken and fish but we chose to have a refund. we did get offered a free meal next time we went there but to be honest i would NOT go back there ever again.Try 'THE FISH & CHIP SHOP' in Stevenage High Street it is loads BETTER.

Sorry to say the last 2 visits here have not seen such good quality food as it use to be. Quite disappointed with the fish portions and chips were quite soggy

Truly a award winning fish and chip shop. Bright lights with friendly staff. Food well cooked presented in boxes.

Love this fish and chip shop!The staff are so friendly and work well together to get you served quickly.The food is very good. Would highly recommend!

Have never understood all the hype, bland tasteless fish & chips. While they may be healthier than other chippies, if I am going to have fish & chips as an occasional treat I prefer it to have some taste.

Portions vary. No difference between small and large chips or cod..Both small ! For a leading chippy I'm not impressed.

Have had fish and chips from here few times and always found to be great quality always has queues would def recommend and very friendly staff

Always clean. Food fantastic. The prefer if you opt for a box for your food rather than paper as it keeps food warmer and less doggy.

Considering how buy they always are, their service is always quick and efficient. As the title says they are the best fish and chips in Stevenage and probably further out as well!

Not keen waited a long time to be served and thought food was not as good as people had told me. Service not good and was not made to feel welcome. Don't think I will return here again

We were really disappointed tonight....after ordering a large haddock, large chips, curry sauce and a sausage for the dog (!)....we got home and opened the nicely wrapped serving to find the smallest 'large' haddock. Normally with a take away I would just suck it up and not go again, however as this is where we normally go i decided to return and see how they would react. I very politely showed one of the serving ladies the portion and she agreed that it was small, the owner (?) was called over and agreed.....and offered me a 50p refund!! I was gobsmacked, and explained I wasn't bothered by 50p.......I know mistakes happen, the important thing is how they are dealt with......this really wasn't the way...however much McDonalds are slated, Rowes could learn a thing or two from them. I am now on a mission to find another fish and chip shop. Oh and by the time we got home again, it was a cold small 'large' haddock :(

I went here two Saturday's on the trot. The first time I walked out because of the wait. The second time we waited Fifteen minutes. Although there was around eight staff they are only interested in getting ready the outside orders. So you walk in thinking well with all these staff this should be quick, wrong. The food was average. Won't be going back again, far better chippies in the town and you don't have to waste half your night standing around waiting.

The last time I bought dinner at Rowes I was very disappointed.Fish over cooked even the white flesh of a cod was crispy.However, I found myself here by chance and thought lets give it another go!Well I have to report the food was excellent!Juicy cod and lovely chips.Based on that I will be going back.Mushy peas with mint...yep it works.

Surprised by some of the negative reviews here.I had heard a lot of good things about this place, and as always, I was waiting to be underwhelmed.I shouldn't have worried. The meal was not horribly greasy like most chip shops of this ilk. The portion sizes were good, and the fish is excellent. Also very surprised to see people find the staff rude. I have been four times now and each time they have been lovely. They even gave me a large cod for the price of a medium because I was short a few pence (only had a tenner on me at the time).Best Chippie in Stevenage hands down, and I have not tasted better for miles and miles.

I use the is chippy quite often...at least 4-5 times a month as the food is quite brilliant. What makes it stand out from the pack is its reliable...i mean how many times have you had fish and chips from a place that was nice,only to go back the following week and its horrible? Well you don't get that here...much like McDonalds you get food of an excellent quality(not saying McDonalds food is excellent but you know what i mean) every time you go. The staff are excellent and there is areal jovial atmosphere in a very busy enviroment! Love the idea of having your meal in a box...keeps everything fresh. The loyaly card idea is more than generous for regular customers. What i also like is in the mid summer months when they are frying new potatos they put a sign up saying so,personally i can't stand new spud chips so sadly have to stay away (perhaps use frozen chips? as the fish will still be superb?) but the fact they tell you rather than heaping not great chips in your box speaks volumes. Just a lovely all round chippy!

First off I ordered a large portion of chips and ended up with a small portion of chips. I found the lady serving behind the counter very rude particularly when I changed my order and she rolled her eyes on me. I was very offended by thisThe food overall was good but really could expand their portions. This was my first visit and the attitude of this particular staff member has put us off going back

After hearing they had won a competition for being the best voted chippy, I thought I'd give them go, sadly I was disappointed with their fish as it was very greasy. My son had ordered a pie and the filling wasn't hot. we didn't think much of the chips either.The staff were very polite and served us as quickly as they could given it was dinner time and the queue was out the door.I guess it's a matter of taste but we were not impressed, I wont be rushing back there

Have to agree with flexi06. There is invariably a queue especially at weekends. Place is always clean, staff well turned out etc., but there is for me at least, no feeling that I've just had brilliant fish and chips. Perhaps it's me, but there are a few around who think likewise. It may be that it's an age thing and my taste buds are "shot" but I prefer to go elsewhere in Stevenage for fish and chips, even though this is nearer to home.

Ordered small cod and large cod both were the same size small and didnt have much of a flavour!!! Cod roe had a bone in it for some reason, as roe doesnt contain bones, chip portions vary one day its a good size next time you get a very small portion,

Use this place regularly, not our local, drive past that to go here, great staff, great fish and chips, great value, end of.

This chippy has won lots of awards but I am afraid I could not see why. I took some visiting Dutch friends who wanted proper English chips but I felt let down. Obviously it's a matter of taste but I did not find the chips tasty and felt rushed as they were busy. Sorry this was no good for us.

A long standing family business, does what it says on the tin, great fish and chips...expect to queue!

Always busy because always good, snappy service with a smile, always good, plenty of parking, local pubs good too

Wonderful traditional fish and chips served with a smile. Always a popular chippy, and plenty of parking.

I remember this place as a kid and it's still going strong. Highly recommended. Best chip shop around!

My favourite chip pie in stevenage. Always friendly, good choice of traditional chippie fare. Good prices. You might have to queue though, it's very popular