I'm so sorry, this is NOT what I had planned

[@lissilou55]

I love watching your vlogs, your always trying different foods and a lot from other countries, your always polite and honest but never slag anyone off or name names, sign of a true gentleman. I didn't like the look of rock and chips imbjust not a fan of fish. Great vlog! 👍

[@DarrenJohn]

Thank you Lisa, very kind of you to say

[@fiona2197]

Grey fish 🐟 and added coughs 😆

[@lesleydrew1629]

Yes, all that constant coughing would put me right off, lol

[@tw25rw]

I used to eat their in the 80s when i worked nearby. Would sit in Grays Inn gardens. It was excellent and always had long queues.

[@keithwatkins7908]

Where the fish came from must have been off the charts. A great honest review without having to slate the shop off.

[@AlanTaylorCRSmusicproduction]

Rock and chips. My favourite when I was a kid. Rock Salmon is tasty but can have a slight ammonia taste. No bones apart from the one large cartilage piece in the middle. I loved picking up this bone and nibbling the meat of it. Rock does have white and dark meat, and has a strong flavour but all the meat shouldn't be dark. I think its a member of the shark family if I remember correctly, even though its called Rock Salmon👍

[@ThePensta81]

Oh no...poor thing. That fish did look a little sad and that coughing in the background didn't really help with the ambience. The fish definitely didn't look as good as the one you had a while back where you ate it on the back of your bike and I think it was raining. I always appreciate your honesty though and you are always a true gentleman about it so even though the food wasn't OTC, it's always a pleasure to watch. Loved the little mooch around at the end too. Extremely interesting. Love what you do and look forward to the next one. 😋💙👍🏼

[@DarrenJohn]

Thank you as always Penny

[@edwardjones7065]

Such a shame this didn't work out. Good for you trying to highlight a less popular fish in these times. As a northerner we holidayed in London many times in the 60's and I do remember trying rock fish at the end of Sussex Gardens and liking it. Keep it up Darren.

[@HepcatHarley]

Looked rank before you tore it open Darren and the member of staff coughing his ring up would have been enough for me to hightail it outta there anyway. I remember visiting Theobald's Rd many times back in the 80's as I went there to get my signwriting enamels from the Victoria Paint Works (JT Keeps & Sons). I remember it being quite a walk from the train station that terminated from Leicester. (Can't remember whether it was Waterloo or King's Cross) :D

[@DarrenJohn]

Thanks for sharing

[@mactheknifeuk]

its always a treat hearing a covid victim chef coughing throughout your meal! makes the experience more interesting i think🤨

[@lippylennnox]

Hahahaha exactly!

[@myeyed]

Omg….you need to get yourself to the windmill fish bar in Kennington!! Been in the same hands since 1978. And they do the crispy bits (batter bits) honestly great 👍🏻

[@DarrenJohn]

Great shout - on my list 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@bathman6366]

The fish looked a bit like the variety you get in "value" fish fingers. Loved the Luncheon Vouchers sticker on the cafe window. Must have been on there 40 years!

[@gazriley624]

Darren i used to live in London so I've heard of it we don't have it here in Liverpool as far as i know? Just Fish n' Chips here mainly but i wouldn't be surprised if i could find Rock n' Chips here in Liverpool

[@DarrenJohn]

Thank you for sharing

[@juliawilliams3467]

When you try things, you can’t expect the best all the time , some good ,some bad, some average.and then of course there will be some off the charts . Look forward to the next one , xx

[@terencepeck3070]

worked at phillips photographic in hatton wall back in the day, your vlogs bring back great memories, i think we all really like what you do, keep doing

[@jeanettevinten8743]

lived in SW2 in the 70s, Loved Rock n Chips!

[@RoyLake]

As soon as I saw that fish I thought "that's a bit dark" :)

[@jimbo8009]

Bit of Cornelia today very nice. Reminds me of another artist but cannot bring it to mind. We also call rock gurnet down here (deep south).

[@selwynowen6213]

I remember getting rock when I was in the army. We were down in Cornwall and we went sea fishing in a boat, and we caught a dog fish. And we took them back to our camp and the cook in the kitchen cooked them for us, but he called it rock salmon. It was very tasty. It looked all nice

[@oggie1967]

Hi Darren, Shame the fish was a bit crap but on the upside I really enjoy seeing parts of London that are less travelled! Can’t win ‘em all!😬 Next!!👍😆

[@georgemurphy1966]

Love Fish & Chips especially in a Chip Bap ( Barm ) it's a pity they can't give there own local community good scran. love the bit of History of London towards the end Darren. Great footage mate.

[@Mickman007]

This one surprised me I used to use the fryers delight when I worked in Red lion sq and my workmates and I used to have our scoff in Red lion sq gardens park and I thought it was a great chippy especially how they cook the chips in beef fat, but I do know that you have to get rock salmon exactly right.

[@DarrenJohn]

Sometimes it's the luck of the draw, fish was far to grey

[@Mickman007]

@@DarrenJohn Yeah it did look grey

[@sandiemarian304]

DJ, what a shame. I had rock and chips about two months ago. The London Fulham area, where the meal was served, was lovely. These things happen and thank you for the heads up.🌻

[@julieann6611]

Oo not for me! And I’m north of Watford ! But thanks for trying it on our behalf! Shame you didn’t get a good un!

[@dannygeorge7909]

Very polite DJ…. The interior looked like it was from the 70’s….. and the fish looked like it was cooked in the same decade!!

[@DarrenJohn]

🙏🏼🤦‍♂️

[@geourgiou]

DJ, Don't let it get to you the meal, still a truly amazing vlog and lovely spot in Holborn, thats very near towards great ormond Street hospital

[@allibennett515]

Great video Darren, a shame about the fish, especially disappointing for you as you were looking forward to it. Lovely to see the sun out, feels like spring is nearly here 😊😎

[@DarrenJohn]

Thanks Alli, the weather has been amazing recently

[@MarkmanOTW]

That's a shame, Darren. If you head towards Old St, there's Kennedy's in Goswell Rd, which have a good reputation.

[@roberteustace4152]

Shame that, rock is lovely when done right. Looked a bit on the grey side. At least you got a bit of rock, hard to come by nowadays. Mickys, Paddington Darren does a great rock and chips, or it used to! Not forgetting the chippy on Strutton ground market, just off victoria st.

[@DarrenJohn]

Another one coming soon Robert 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@helgabullabong]

I also thought the fish looked grey when you opened it. I appreciate how you always give an honest review. Cheers

[@rocknchips1342]

Big shame, rock is bloody delicious. That looked long time frozen. Scragg end. Should be as white as cod. Please don't give up on rock Darren 🙏

[@DarrenJohn]

More rock coming soon

[@grahamkillick1045]

We used to call that Huss and it was pure white and really good. I think the colour is a reflection of the quality. In my local chippy it was very popular. But that was about 60 years ago😂😂

[@karensterling5597]

Arrrr is shame was my late dad's favourite fish but from local n Broadstairs chippy. I just love cod when sat looking at sea. Great tune Darren j thanks

[@DarrenJohn]

Love Broadstairs

[@carbonm5422]

The Fryer's Delight! How marvellous - a haunt of mine. Best chips in London.

[@DarrenJohn]

Oh dear

[@mjt8199]

Got to like the 90s Luncheon Voucher sticker in the window.

[@DarrenJohn]

Brilliant!

[@rogerauclair1670]

I found that the grey colour of the coating to be a bit off putting, it should be a golden colour. A few more minutes in the fryer might have improved the crunch and the flavour.

[@doofus4648]

Although that didn’t look the best you don’t win them all. I’m from Birmingham and you’ve got no chance of finding it there, the furthest north I’ve seen it was a chippy in Banbury. I love it’s sweetness in comparison to other fish, whenever I’m down south I’ll get myself a portion, was in Ramsgate a month ago and got my fix there, lovely.

[@DarrenJohn]

Good old Ramsgate 🙏🏼👊🏼

[@paulcarter9307]

Mini Shark🦈 .... Rock! re-branded as Some form of salmon but not the case don't mind that place ! quite old hat mind!

[@pamelajames7163]

Lovely to see you in Holborn again, shame about the food though , but they can’t all be off the charts, keep up the good work Darren x

[@DarrenJohn]

🙏🏼👍🏼

[@peterolley7159]

It’s a shame when that happens that batter looked terrible but on the plus side we all know not to eat there so all good in the good mate 👍

[@paulh1679]

I enjoy your uploads as i live in the north and have only been in London a few times, Must say every time i went the food was rubbish, maybe i went to the wrong places. Don't know how you afford to live there as the prices in some cases are Double to where i live, always makes my mouth drop when you say the prices of even basics like Chips, But i am impressed the effort some of the places go to painting and decorating buildings to make good use of every space.

[@braydon123dog7]

Always had Rock & chips when I was younger and lived in London, My favourite fish, I haven’t seen it in my last few visits

[@DarrenJohn]

There are places to find it. Usually around 1 in 5 places seem to do it

[@doubledaclutchmcphee]

I'm from the South. Rock is white and a acquired taste stronger than cod but nice 👌. That had not travelled well . Great Post and honest 👏. Keep em coming as I thoroughly enjoy your views 👍.

[@DarrenJohn]

Rock on!

[@broadland13]

Always was my favourite, no tiny bones . Perfect for little ones.

[@stephengrant9704]

Try Toffs muswell hill , plus its a nice area of London

[@chrisaris8756]

The dark part of rock is not a nice taste. There was too much of it on the last lot I had and it put me off too. The batter looked a bit pale too unless it was the lighting!! You’ll have to go to Maggies fish and chips in Hastings and try that - you have to book though! Cheers

[@DarrenJohn]

I agree

[@juliejones2103]

Such a shame it wasn’t off the charts. You could tell on your face it wasn’t good. Never tried rock fish, got to be a London thing. Love that you show different places on your vlogs. Thankyou for sharing. Have a lovely evening 🤗❤️

[@DarrenJohn]

Thank you Julie 🙏🏼

[@johnwhyte1488]

Your integrity stands Sir. The best that you can do is be honest and at least be favourably diplomatic, I have to say when I saw the ‘rock’ it didn’t look the best I’d seen either. It was another discovery, however; the rest lies with the restaurant now. Thank you for making and sharing, again; excellent video and audio quality. All the best to you and yours.

[@DarrenJohn]

🙏🏼👍🏼💪🏼

[@happy_clouds]

The fish didn't look the most appealing but, I bet it tasted good. Chip butty is a must when all the butter melts divine. 😋

[@brianherring6393]

Friend of ours used to go sea fishing he gave us.a a dogfish to try which was nice and meat and tasted lovely being only a few hours old. Would be good in a curry

[@martinsummers7347]

As a Londoner I always felt rock as an inferior fish to cod! Ive never had it as go for cod or haddock. In the place you were in, noticed a very old "Luncheon voucher" sticker - reckon that has been there since days of glam rock - pun intended!!🐠🐟

[@qualitygoldfish2198]

I worked opposite there nearly 40 years ago and never had fish and chips in there,there were so many top quality Italien cafes there i could not be bothered, sadly all gone now.

[@lorraineg4168]

I've heard of Rock fish but not my cup of tea and I'm from West Yorkshire and like Lee says they are better cooked in dripping with no skin or bones. The fish looked very grey

[@KennyJBY]

There was an only fools and horses spin off set before they grew up, called Rock & Chips and your intro explained where the name came from. Pity about the food today my friend but you can’t get perfect grub everywhere.

[@lesliecarter8322]

Personally I thought the fish was undercooked, flesh looked raw and batter pale. Supposed to be rock but who knows. Chips and peas looked ok. DJ another honest review. 7/10 from me.

[@lordred4116]

I always thought rock salmon was the wings off the skate fish. Rock is something we don't have in the frozen North, same with saveloys.

[@AlVlogs1603]

Darren that’s so spooky on the opening bit the red building behind you is where my nephew lived when he first went to work in London.He’s now a CA and after 5 yrs there is back in Edinburgh.I drove him down from Troon when he first moved in to 5ams his gear down.

[@DarrenJohn]

Love that Alan, cant put a price on memories

[@AlVlogs1603]

@@DarrenJohn cheers Darren Red Lion Sq if my memory is ok

[@robcoles8493]

You were five minutes away from the Bleeding Heart Bistro in Bleeding Heart Lane. A lovely restaurant in an historic location. Worth a trip DJ. That fish looked a bit ropey by the way.

[@DarrenJohn]

Agreed

[@colingoode3702]

Oh yes. Good old Rock Salmon & chips. A lesson in how to sex up a humble Huss or Dogfish into something a bit more saleable.

[@chrisryanst]

Obviously not every eatery is going to be off the charts but it's guy's like you that tour around and giving an honest opinion so people like us can decide to visit or not, how much was the meal?

[@vouvray59]

guys. No apostrophe.

[@annemarieelton2069]

Hi Darren pity you were disappointed about the rock fish though I haven’t seen it on menus much here Love when you give a little history of the various places you go to & the background music 👍👍xx

[@DarrenJohn]

Thanks Anne, not to worry

[@sarahillingworth2718]

I was envisioning Blackpool rock with chips lol

[@jackrussell9811]

the only time i eat fish and chips is on the coast ,best chippie is in great yarmouth norfolk , cod chips and wally fresh as and locally caught

[@bhobbybhoy6244]

In Scotland Chippy’s mostly only do Haddock with an occasional one doing Cod as well . Only heard of rock through watching your vlogs 😮😂

[@GreenoEats]

Can't win 'em all DJ ! I think there's a chippy in Swanage that does rock, I'll have to give it a try!

[@colinrattray816]

I just thought it looked a wee bit peelie wallie! Good chip roll though!

[@EmmaKelly74159]

Well done for trying any way, at least you tried it. And I enjoyed your vlog , and I love the views of London, thank you. 💚

[@DarrenJohn]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@tarquinhayes58]

They used to fry using beef dripping ... the last chippy in North london to do so... The only reason why we would go!. A one off?...

[@peterdawson5115]

I’m sure you will find another example of rock , for us northerners to check out, I’ve heard people talk about it but never tried it, hope alls well. 👍

[@winchy162]

My mate swears by Rock I've never been a fan got a weird taste to me but each to their own and pickled eggs love them in a packet of cheese & onion crisps

[@Bill-01]

Shame that. It actually looked OK.. Don't do rock up north but I'd love to try it... You should have spread some mushy peas on your barm before you put the chips on.. 😋 👍

[@johnniedono9813]

ah mush yes indeed,id have a tussle with that....great vids Darren...keep um coming....NO BUBBLE in a while...wont lie bitta Tartare sauce woulda worked there too..

[@sallyneal9476]

Chips and peas looked lovely not the rock fish can't have good food all the time such a shame good video Darren John.

[@DarrenJohn]

👍🏼🙏🏼

[@rachelhudson8362]

I remember having Rock and chips 30 years ago. What a revelation. Bloody delicious.

[@DarrenJohn]

When it's done right, it's amazing

[@wetfishman1066]

Should try the cafe in Rd Lion Square. She has some different items. And cooks it there. The huss (rock) was most likely frozen which does come up darker than fresh normally

[@kjh789az]

Rock is AKA huss. That central bone should be easy to remove and it keeps the cooked fish succulent. I agree it looked dark, which suggests a lack of freshness. Never see it in the midlands which is a pity as a good piece of rock salmon is special. Thanks!

[@leighl3712]

One thing is for sure, you’re honest in your reviews. That’s appreciated. When it’s good you say it and when it’s not you tell it too.

[@michaelcampin1464]

Sometimes things dont go as planned. Thats life.

[@tonyburton5706]

Remember being on holiday in newquay a few years back, the chippy had a board outside saying Try the fish the cockneys love

[@mick-nardini]

Fish Central, King Square, Central St might be a better shout.

[@boaty1968]

Excellent as always DJ , may be a daft question could you do a quick users blog to using the London Underground haven’t a clue how it works so always avoided London scares me to death 😂

[@DarrenJohn]

I will try one day - time permitting

[@davemorris9275]

Rock is my go to fish, love it!! What you had did not look good at all and a shame as it was the first time showing people what their missing

[@DarrenJohn]

Filmed a great one last year 👍🏼

[@peteracton1515]

I remember that one, fish looked amazing in the video last year. This one looked off-colour. Great video though 👍

[@davidsmeath4556]

Just made my first batch of pickled eggs! Quite a bit of work peeling 24 boiled eggs but worth the effort!

[@DarrenJohn]

👍🏼🙏🏼

[@stasysuter9939]

Not the best fish I've seen but you have to give these places a try, the last one you had looked really good shame it was raining at the time. I'm sure it hasn't put you off rock great respect for not slating it.

[@DarrenJohn]

More rock to come Stasy 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@marksawyer3132]

Nice little vid Darren not the best looking fish but the chips and mushys looked OK. Should've put a few peas in ya chip butty as well.

[@johncorner9295]

When i was a kid.rock and chips.bone for the cat.

[@SusanCollins-s5w]

That was so good I’ll have to try rock it looks good.

[@paulhartley7459]

Love the honesty again mate you can not win them all and we certainly never get rock up here

[@markcollinson5665]

The South doesn't end at Watford going north, it's actually Milton Keynes, and then it's the Midlands. 👍

[@DarrenJohn]

It's a London saying

[@markcollinson5665]

@@DarrenJohn Fair enough. The rock didn't look great but fair play for not slating their business. Refreshing to see.

[@polestar696]

Last time I had rock. Was in Hastings. It was rank. Had strong taste of ammonia. Turns out obviously it was off. Chippy had to chuck a huge amount away. Good vlog mate as always.

[@DarrenJohn]

That is off putting

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

I'd also want to know, is cod's roe a Southern thing as well? Do the Northerners know of it?

[@sheilabutcher776]

Lincoln's Inn Fields is a picnic place. X 😍

[@jujulionesselsa1416]

It's always lovely watching your vlogs Darren. I thought the fish looked dark. I enjoy seeing you try different foods - and seeing the the places you go to. And I love the music too. Thank you so very much Darren. 😃

[@DarrenJohn]

Thanks so much

[@nigelspencer6030]

Darren, not commented for a while, but still an avid watcher, follower and supporter of your work. Wow, coughing behind you would put me off and fish looked old. It's important for me to watch real life and not everything is a good experience. With prices increasing, let's hope standard's don't drop. Would love some Greek restaurants as I do love trying different dishes, some good and some, well let's leave it at that. Regards, Nigel

[@Ashsmith1983]

As much as you try to help them, they’ve got to help themselves mate

[@terex9]

Get yourself over to Pimlico to the The Laughing Halibut or Seafresh or the place on lupus street (just a takeaway though). All do pretty good rock and I’m pretty sure they are all Cypriot (who I think do the best fish and chips in London). All the best

[@DarrenJohn]

It's on the list SE1P

[@kevinhoughton9134]

Always a pleasure to view your vlogs Darren no matter the outcome of the food content, and always a thumbs up mate. 👍

[@DarrenJohn]

So nice of you

[@stephenwrennall3497]

The Mushy Peas and Pickled Egg would have me in BIG trouble the following morning..if you know what i mean!💨💨😄

[@bbrink86]

What’s the song on at 10 mins in, love it

[@DarrenJohn]

I pay a for my music on Epidemic Sound 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@stephensharpe6165]

Nice to see honesty portraid in a polite manner not like one vlogger I could mention great stuff 👍

[@DarrenJohn]

Much appreciated

[@darrenwilson8042]

I love a pickled egg - you can buy jars in Morrisons but I am barred from doing so by my wife who says I'd just eat them like sweets if I got them lol

[@nige3801]

Cool Hand Luke😃

[@darrenwilson8042]

@@nige3801 I was gonna go with that but as an old fart I wasn't sure anyone but me would get the reference lol

[@nige3801]

@@darrenwilson8042 lol Darren, one old fart to another!

[@countmurcielago9802]

So pleased you said it how it was manners cost nothing you don’t need to slag a place the quality is in the eating that wasn’t quality 😊