3 minute read
Grumpy Old Man! (Not
Grumpy Old Man!
Advertisement
Grumpy’s Owner is actually very Happy
You always know what Mr Grumpy will give you - good Kiwi style fish and chips at a great price, fast service, and friendly staff. Mr Grumpy’s is a favourite among Foxton locals and tourists. Their burgers are to die for with fresh ingredients and fish cooked to perfection with the batter nice and crispy and fries well-drained.
Nothing says summer more than a scoop of hot chips on the beach. The secret to the best fish and chips in town, according to Foxton Beach’s Mr Grumpy’s Takeaways owner Glen Hitchcock, is the fat. “We don’t use vegetable oil. We cook in fat, and I tell you that makes the biggest difference. You get ‘em cooked properly, nice batter and let ‘em drain correctly so they’re not greasy and the fat lets them drain a lot better, I think, than oil.”
Foxton Beach’s Mr Grumpy’s Takeaways has been around for more than 10 years. It is a popular spot during long hot summer days. It has visitors from other countries, because of his listing on Trip Advisor as a great place to get takeaways. “On a busy day we might have 150 customers. Friday is our busiest night.”
Glen has a secret recipe for his batter - it’s thin and patrons like that.The extensive menu includes curly fires, camembert wedges and popcorn shrimp.They have “well over 200 items on the menu”.
But don’t be fooled by the name. Hitchcock is not grumpy at all. Hitchcock is known for being a bit of a character. He gets a bit of enjoyment out of pulling people’s legs.
“I love dealing with people. If I know you or I don’t know you, if you come and get fish and chips from Mr Grumpy’s it can be quite an adventure. You’ll get racked up. I just love dealing with people.If you ask anybody anything with a straight face, if you’re pulling their leg, it’s a hilarious time.”
Trip adviser gives them an average of just over 4.5. Here are a few of their reviews
Good value Fish and Chips
“Mr Grumpy’s is a local icon serving a variety of named fish species in several sizes and cooking methods.We chose battered Terakihi ( large ) with chips. A single scoop of the latter was ample for two mature people but smaller than some others might expect.”
(Not)
Lord have mercy!!
“Better than I remembered, locals have always known “Mr Grumpy’s” is the best FnC place in the area so on a nostalgic road trip I stopped in (former resident of Foxy beach) and I was NOT disappointed. The chips were crisp and hot. Just the right amount of salt and fish wasn’t dripping with oil. Price was perfect $8.50 for a large portion. Free napkins and the happiest service I have had in a long time!! Clean and tidy with NO “lingering” residual smells. Mr Grumpy’s is still the very best kept secret. HIGHLY recommended ++A.”
At last, a proper ‘FushnChups Ship’
“Called in on the way through on the off chance. Service was not very attentive, but that’s a problem I always find with take always - ask for anything that isn’t in the server’s idea of how they would want it and you don’t get. In this case it was simply asking for plenty of salt and vinegar and getting none. Luckily easily rectified. Five stars however for the food quality, very tasty and best chips in NZ other than George’s in Whanganui. Nice to find Blue Cod on the menu at a fair price too. Hoping to get there before closing for lunch today!”