Famous fish and chip shop visited by dozens of huge A-list stars – and even Rick Stein says it’s the best he’s ever had
A FAMOUS chip shop in the British Isles has been labelled “the best” by popular TV chefs and is frequently visited by huge A-list celebrities.
Leo Burdock’s chippy in Dublin has been visited by so many celebrities that it now has a “hall of fame” on its website, listing all of its most famous customers.
And it’s a hugely impressive roll call, with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Snoop Dogg, Sandra Bullock, Tom Cruise, Outkast frontman Andre 3000 and Cuba Gooding Jr among its patrons.
Springsteen has even been on more than one occasion and the website boasts that the staff think of The Boss as one of their regular customers.
It reads: “We’ve been serving up our famous fish and chips more than a century.
“Over the years we’ve had frequent visits from celebrities from the world of politics, literature, Hollywood movies and stadium rock and pop.
“We like to think of Bruce Springsteen as a regular.”
The chip shop’s popularity may well lie in the fact that it is highly rated by those who know a thing or two about cooking.
TV chef Rick Stein is quoted as saying it’s the “best fish and chips I’ve ever had”.
Meanwhile, the late Anthony Bourdain said he was “truly honoured” to have eaten there and have his name listed on its wall of visitors.
Marco Pierre White is also among the list of top chefs to have been wowed by their food.
The chippy was even featured on MTV, with DJ Trevor Nelson interviewing staff there, who bragged about serving the likes of Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss among other super models.
The staff also revealed that musician BB King ordered three portions of fish and chips, which he then ate outside the shop, in his limousine, with a couple of beers.
Some of the celebrities on the hall of fame list might be considered a little bit tenuous, with Justin Timberlake‘s parents unlikely to be recognised by many people.
However, the likes of Serena and Venus Williams, Conor McGregor and Jackie Chan are undoubtedly impressive customers.
After first opening in Christchurch in Dublin in 1913, Leo Burdock has grown into a runaway success, with several branches now open throughout Ireland.
Another one has been opened in the Irish capital in the famous Temple Bar area, while others have been opened in Bray, Howth, Cookstown and Naas.
But the original is still the most popular and is in a terrific location, with Dublin Castle right next door to it.
A 15 minute walk in the other direction leads to the Guinness Storehouse, one of the most frequently visited attractions in the city.
The pubs of Temple Bar are found just five minutes stroll away as well, making the chippy perfectly situated for any tourists looking for a historic bite to eat on their visits to Dublin.
Hundreds of people have given the chippy five star reviews on TripAdvisor as well.
One wrote: “When we saw the sign, ‘World famous…’ we had to try it, and we were NOT disappointed! The fish was fresh, hot and flavourful.”
Another added: “I have eaten a lot of fish and chips and this was the best fried cod I have ever had, hands down! No one else comes close.”
Where to find the best fish and chips in the UK
The top 24 places for fish and chips have been revealed by The Times – see the full list below:
1. John Long’s, Belfast, Co Antrim
2. Redcloak Fish Bar, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire
3. Harbour Lights, Falmouth, Cornwall
4. Finney’s, Benllech, Anglesey
5. Colmans Seafood Temple, South Shields, Co Durham
6. Little Wolf, Strangford, Co Down
7. The Tunny Club, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
8. Whitehead’s Fish & Chips, Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire
9. Les and Rita’s Fish Bar, Rhyl, Denbighshire
10. The Rocketeer, North Berwick, East Lothian
11. French’s Fish Shop, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
12. The Haven, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire
13. Bennett’s Fish & Chips, Weymouth, Dorset
14. Morton’s, Ballycastle, Co Antrim
15. Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough, East Riding of Yorkshire
16. The Mermaid, Barmouth, Gwynedd
17. East Coast, Musselburgh, East Lothian
18. Steel’s Corner House Restaurant, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire
19. Fraser’s, Penzance, Cornwall
20. Fishers of Hunstanton, Norfolk
21. Maggie’s, Hastings, East Sussex
22. The Magpie Café, Whitby, North Yorkshire
23. Lewis’s Fish Restaurant, Seahouses, Northumberland
24. Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough, East Riding of Yorkshire
Meanwhile, this city unexpectedly has the best fish and chips in the UK.
And this map reveals where to find some of the top rated chippies in the country.