The first thing my Nan said when she heard I was moving to Cradley Heath was "why would you do a thing like that?" followed closely by "at least you'll be able to go to Ivan's".
I thought she was talking about visiting some long-lost Great Uncle, which would've been cool. But no, she was talking about a fish and chip shop.
It is one of those rare chip shops that displays the fresh fish in the window and has a restaurant area, complete with squeezy bottles of red sauce. It has that proper Black Country vibe - no-nonsense, no frills and no concern for cholesterol content.
Old people love Ivan's. You'll see plenty of them sitting in the restaurant on Friday nights, cheeky bottle of Blossom Hill resting on the gingham covered table (they let you bring your own booze!).
I tend to go there for take-away. The fish is always excellent and the battered chips are divine. I'm not a huge fan of the unbattered chips, they always seem a bit on the flabby and grey side for my liking. These guys also know how to chill a can of fizzy Vimto.
Service is quick and the ladies behind the counter call customers "bab". Ivan's has been going for more than fifty years, fish and chips from here is more than a meal, it is local history, deep fried and wrapped up in paper. read more