This Restaurant In Southwest Florida Has Some Of The Best Fish And Chips In America

A comfort food so intensely delicious that it once served as a wartime morale booster, fish and chips is a legendary dish throughout the U.K. and elsewhere in the world. The best place to procure this fried perfection is from a chip shop (or "chippie"), which is a dining establishment that specializes in the dish. America is a bit lacking where genuine chippies are concerned, but an establishment in Fort Myers, Florida comes incredibly close, as it offers tasty fried food, authentic sides, and an atmosphere catering to ardent anglophiles.

Bursting onto the culinary scene in 2014, OK U.K. Fish-N-Chips is currently ranked as the No. 1 spot to snag quick bites in North Fort Myers (according to Tripadvisor). Diners routinely heap praise on the establishment, with a patron on Facebook proclaiming, "ABSOLUTELY THE BEST FISH N CHIPS that I have had since I've been [in Fort Myers]. FANTASTIC FRIES! Fish cooked to perfection!" Along with its signature dish, the OK U.K. Fish-N-Chips menu also features fried shrimp and chicken, along with coleslaw, baked beans, and traditional mushy peas (a beloved side dish in the U.K. consisting of mashed peas, butter, and salt).

Fried and battered white fish was introduced to England by Portuguese Jewish immigrants fleeing persecution in their home country. (The recipe was developed to be made ahead of time and eaten on the Sabbath, during which cooking was prohibited). The allure of the delectable fried food was hard to resist, and the fish preparation quickly became wildly popular in England.

These days, fish and chips are synonymous with culinary culture in the U.K., which explains why OK U.K. Fish-N-Chips hits all the right notes when it comes to authenticity. The establishment was co-founded by John Nattani and John Norton, Nattani's father-in-law and British expatriate with direct knowledge of what makes an outstanding chippie. The meticulousness of the prep and cooking process has much to do with the shop's lasting success, as both the cod filets and potatoes are cut by hand, while every batch of fish is fried in fresh oil using a dedicated fryer.

That doesn't mean that OK U.K. Fish-N-Chips hasn't experienced its share of hardships. In 2017, Hurricane Irma derailed plans to open a second chip shop in Fort Myers (though the location appears to be open now). The restaurant also experienced pandemic-related challenges, but it fortunately managed to weather the storm. These days, the chip shop is going strong and providing diners in Fort Myers with a taste of the U.K.