Travelling from London to the Shetland Islands for a single fish and chip review sounds excessive, but that determination is exactly what makes this food adventure entertaining. Robbie Thompson sets out to visit Frankie's Fish & Chips in Brae, a remote establishment he describes as Britain's northernmost fish and chip shop. Reaching it requires multiple trains, an overnight ferry, and a local bus journey, with worsening weather threatening to complicate the experience. Rather than focusing exclusively on the food, Robbie turns the journey itself into the main attraction, creating an enjoyable combination of travel exploration, unexpected setbacks, and enthusiastic food criticism.
The first major complication arrives when a delayed train causes Robbie to miss his planned connection to Aberdeen, putting his ferry departure in serious jeopardy. With only one ferry sailing per day, missing the departure would potentially derail the entire adventure. Fortunately, railway staff arrange a taxi from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, allowing him to reach the ferry terminal with approximately 38 minutes remaining before the final boarding deadline. This sequence provides genuine suspense while highlighting the exceptional customer service he receives. Robbie's appreciation for the railway employees and his taxi driver feels sincere, and his decision to give the driver an additional £20 reinforces the positive atmosphere surrounding an otherwise frustrating situation.
The overnight ferry introduces another enjoyable dimension, with Robbie exploring his cabin, discussing accommodation prices, and sampling the onboard restaurant. His room costs approximately £120, while cheaper seating arrangements offer alternatives for travellers with smaller budgets. The steak pie with mashed potatoes and vegetables receives a generally positive assessment, particularly for its tender meat and rich filling, although Robbie questions whether a pastry lid placed over the filling qualifies as a proper pie. These observations demonstrate his willingness to criticize details even when he appreciates the overall experience. Conversations with fellow passengers, including a lifelong Shetland resident, also provide a welcoming introduction to island life without turning the journey into a conventional travel guide.
Arriving in Lerwick brings picturesque streets, traditional buildings, and another opportunity to explore local food culture. Robbie visits the New Harbour Café, where he tries a sassamet sausage and egg roll after speaking with the staff. His enthusiasm for the unfamiliar regional speciality adds authenticity to the journey, while his friendly interactions with the café workers make the experience feel spontaneous rather than overly arranged. However, the exploration remains relatively brief, with little discussion of Shetland's history, fishing industry, or the broader significance of its isolated communities. The focus stays firmly on Robbie's personal experiences, which works for an entertainment-driven food review but limits its value as a more comprehensive destination feature.
The weather becomes increasingly challenging as Robbie attempts to reach Brae. Heavy rain, powerful winds, and a collapsing umbrella create additional obstacles, while an approaching storm raises concerns about his eventual return ferry. The bus journey through Shetland's dramatic landscape reinforces the sense of distance, and the driver's willingness to stop directly outside the restaurant provides another memorable example of local hospitality. These developments make the eventual arrival feel earned, although repeated expressions of disbelief about the remoteness and several subscription reminders slightly interrupt the otherwise natural progression. The storm also introduces an unresolved narrative thread, since the account ends before viewers discover whether the return journey is affected.
Frankie's Fish & Chips ultimately delivers the culinary payoff that the journey has been building toward. The manager opens slightly early to accommodate Robbie, who orders battered haddock and chips, locally sourced scallops, and mussels prepared with Shetland honey and chilli. His reactions are enthusiastic but accompanied by useful descriptions of texture, flavour, and preparation. The scallops stand out for their size, tenderness, and juiciness, while the mussels receive praise for their sweetness. The fish itself impresses with delicate, flaky flesh and an exceptionally light batter that Robbie compares to tempura. He also appreciates the homemade tartare sauce, generously portioned chips, and mushy peas that retain some texture. Together, these details make the tasting sequence satisfying and provide more substance than a simple declaration that everything tastes good.
The final bill of £56.50 gives viewers a useful understanding of the meal's cost, including £18 for fish and chips, £20.50 for scallops, £13 for mussels, and £4.50 for drinks. Robbie acknowledges that the prices are somewhat high but considers them reasonable given the location and quality, ultimately awarding the restaurant a perfect 10/10. His descriptions support a strongly positive verdict, although the limited criticism makes the score feel somewhat generous, particularly without closer examination of portion value or comparisons with similar seafood restaurants. Likewise, the restaurant's description as the world's loneliest or most isolated fish and chip shop is presented as an entertaining premise rather than a geographically verified distinction. Nevertheless, the combination of distinctive food, spectacular surroundings, genuine travel uncertainty, and consistently warm encounters makes the overall experience more memorable than a standard restaurant visit.
Pros
- The ambitious journey across Britain to Shetland provides an entertaining and distinctive premise that makes the food review feel like a genuine travel adventure.
- The missed train connection and unexpected taxi arrangement create compelling suspense while showcasing exceptional assistance from railway staff.
- Friendly conversations with railway employees, ferry passengers, café workers, and local residents add warmth, personality, and authenticity.
- Practical details about ferry accommodation, transport arrangements, and restaurant prices offer useful information alongside the entertainment.
- The exploration of Shetland's scenery and regional food introduces viewers to a distinctive destination rarely featured in conventional takeaway reviews.
- Detailed descriptions of the scallops, mussels, haddock, batter, and accompanying sauces provide a satisfying culinary assessment.
- Robbie's enthusiasm, gratitude, and willingness to acknowledge minor shortcomings make him an engaging and approachable host.
Cons
- Repeated comments about the restaurant's isolation and occasional subscription requests interrupt the natural flow of the journey.
- The claim that the restaurant is the world's most isolated fish and chip shop is not supported by a meaningful geographical comparison.
- The exploration of Shetland remains relatively superficial, offering limited cultural or historical context beyond brief conversations and scenic observations.
- The perfect restaurant rating feels slightly generous given the acknowledged pricing concerns and limited critical comparison with other seafood establishments.
- The approaching storm creates concern about the return journey, but the abrupt ending leaves that part of the adventure unresolved.
Robbie Thompson transforms an unusually demanding trip for a takeaway meal into an entertaining travel experience filled with unexpected complications, welcoming locals, and impressive seafood. The journey provides much of the enjoyment, while the enthusiastic and descriptive tasting at Frankie's delivers a rewarding conclusion to the central mission. Although the presentation occasionally becomes repetitive and leaves some travel questions unanswered, its personality, authenticity, and distinctive destination make it an enjoyable departure from conventional food reviews.
