McDonagh's Fish & Chips

If your restaurant has been open continously since 1902 then you know you must be doing something right. I had been going to university in Galway, Ireland for about 2 years and I somehow had never heard about McDonagh's. In fact it was during the summer whilst at home that I first heard about this famous takeaway restaurant. I was watching television on one of the national broadcaster's channels when a report came on about the "Best Chips in Ireland". Now with me being a huge fan of chips I instantly perked up when I heard Galway being mentioned as being home to the takeaway restaurant that had one the award for Best Chips in Ireland! How could I not have heard about this magical place until now? For once I was dying for the summer to finish so that I could get back to Galway to put these chips to the test!

After a long summer of chip-filled dreams I returned to Galway determined that my first meal there was going to be a bag of chips from McDonagh's. I had barely unpacked my things before I set out on the short bike ride to Quay Street and there it was, right at the foot of the hill, McDonagh's. I was never so nervous entering a restaurant in my entire life. A summer of building these chips up in my head had created a level of expectation that I thought would be impossible to match! I opened the door to find a large queue already in front of me, a good sign but it meant waiting even longer to sample the goods!

Finally it was my turn and I nervously ordered a large chips. They were ready in no time at all and the server smothered them in salt and vinegar upon request. A whole summer's worth of waiting had come down to this moment! I popped one of the golden chips into my mouth and couldn't believe it. Not only were the chips as good as I was expecting, there were 10 times better. They were by far and away the best chips I'd ever tasted and McDonagh's had just become my new favourite place.

I've returned to McDonagh's time and time again and never have I come away disappointed. I have brought friends and family there after hyping the place up and they all have said it lived up to that hype. The menu at McDonaghs is simple but delicious. Apart from the chips, from my experience these are the top 3 dishes that they offer:

1. Cod
2. Chicken
3. Mushy Peas

McDonagh's isn't just a Takeway place either. There is also a small restaurant adjacent to the takeaway where you can sit down in comfort and enjoy some amazing fish dishes. It would be wise to book a table however as the restaurant is always quite busy. If you want to try the official Best Chips in Ireland, as well as some top notch fish, among other things then you have to give McDonagh's on Quay Street a visit. You will thank me later!