If there were ten stars, I'd award them. This is quite simply as good as it gets for the fish 'n' chip lover and my belly and I feel pretty damn blessed to have a chippy of this quality within easy distance.
The inside is absolutely immaculate, as are all of the staff. The service is prompt, efficient and always very pleasant. The prices are fantastic and the variety of the menu is vast - there's seriously something for everyone here from the most delicious plump and juicy burgers, over-stuffed baguettes, chicken curry, filled sodas, and hot dogs, to the icing on the cake, the main event, the big deal for anyone who loves fish: the cod. It is a thing of breathtaking beauty. The haddock is similarly gorgeous, too, I must add, and the scampi is battered and also divine, served with salad, a few chips and tartare sauce.
But back to the cod - you get a massive juicy chunk of it, incredibly generously portioned in a light golden batter, and it is always, -always- cooked to perfection. I don't know how they manage it, but it's always fantastic. They usually throw in a good handful of chips with it, too, and the chips are well above the standard of most chippies - hot, chunky, crisp and well cooked. No greasy, stuck-together offerings here. Must also mention the mushy peas which are lush, too. The salad box is generally filled with everything you could require, including cheese and a pineapple ring! Doc's also has meal offers for senior citizens which I think is a lovely touch. Everything's packed nicely in very sturdy boxes that shut good and tight so it's still burning hot even if you've got a few miles to go to take it home - that is if you can control yourself from just laying into it in the car, and if you can, I take my hat off to you and your restraint.
I was so pleased to see that Doc's had made it into the top 50 fish and chippies in the UK in 2011. One of only 2 chippies in northern Ireland that made the list. That's quite an accolade, but are they crowing about it? Not at all, and I think they should be! It's great to see phenomenal fish and excellent service getting their just recognition, and the proof of the greatness really is in the eating, so if you're ever in the Downpatrick area and you want to sample the best of what the province can offer for fish and chip lovers, you simply must give Doc's a try. Go on, your belly deserves it. read more