Where to find Melbourne’s best fish and chips

IF YOU’RE heading to the beach for Victoria’s best fish and chips, you’re looking in the wrong place. Some of our best shops aren’t by the sea, but in the suburbs. See if your local made the list.

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FORGET the beach, Melbourne’s best fish and chips is found in the ‘burbs.

Wheelers Hill store The Kingfisher Blue has won the title of Victoria’s best fish and chips at The Australian Fish and Chips Awards 2017 last month.

The store is landlocked, about 30km south east of Melbourne, and 20km from the closest beach.

But co-owner Chris Tsaousidis said location didn’t matter when it came to selling the best product.

The Kingfisher Blue boys Gerry Lionatos and Chris Tsaousidis in Wheeler's Hill. Picture: Chris Tsaousidis

“Eating fish and chips near the beach is a tradition, yes, but Melburnians love eating fish and chips wherever they can find it,” he said.

“We keep a lot of customers happy, we love what we do and make sure everything is top notch when it comes in.”

“We use high quality produce and don’t cut any corners,” he said.

Trident Fish Bar in Queenscliff won the Judged Best Fish and Chips category, while Gully Fish and Grill in Knoxfield, Captain Gummy’s Fish and Chips in Frankston and Mako’s Fish and Chips in Ferntree Gully rounded out the top five.

Prawns, calamari and fish — a perfect lunch box. Picture: Chris Tsaousidis

The Kingfisher Blue was also named People’s Choice in the awards.

“We’ve had a lot of feedback from our customers and they’re showing support,” he said.

Mr Tsaousidis, who runs the business with Gerry Lionatos, said his best selling product was flake and chips.

“Our potato cakes are also popular and the seafood including prawns, scallops and calamari for their overall freshness,” he said.

The store will now be in the running to win a national accolade in September.

“We just want to thank all our loyal customers throughout the competition so far, we greatly appreciate your support,” he said.

Entries were judged on criteria including taste of the product, service, choice of product, information and labelling in store. Public voting was also used for the People’s Choice category.

The Kingfisher Blue, 190 Jells Rd, Wheelers Hill. PH: 9561 6962.

Kingfisher Blue fish and chips. Supplied.

TRIDENT FISH BAR

4 Gellibrand St, Queenscliff. PH: 5258 2334

Trident Fish Bar in Queenscliff owner Fonda Tzaninis with some fresh fish and fish and chips. Picture: Glenn Ferguson.

GULLY FISH & GRILL

1575 Ferntree Gully Rd, Knoxfield. PH: 9763 6609

Gully Fish and Grill’s Effie Moraitis, her parents Stella and Peter, and her daughter Arianna. Picture: Steve Tanner.

CAPTAIN GUMMY’S FISH AND CHIPS

145 Beach St, Frankston. PH: 9770 1414

Brothers Andrew and Harry Gavalas, from Captain Gummy's Fish & Chips in Frankston, make mean fish and chips. Picture: Eugene Hyland.

MAKOS FISH & CHIPS

1015 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully. PH: 9758 3119

The Theodoulou family, Anthony, mum Stavroula, Eleni and Michael, from Mako’s Fish and Chips in Ferntree Gully. Picture: Lawrence Pinder.

@Kara_Irving