Being a woman who was raised for 17 years in the Midwest, in a farming town of primarily Catholic Germans and Poles, I have had my fair share of fish fries, as the Friday Night Fish Fry is a long-time tradition that still stands strong. That said, probably one of the best kept secrets in New York City is A Salt & Battery, snuggled into a tiny storefront in Greenwich Village and home to some of the very best British-style fish and chips that you will ever bite into. Though the place is tiny and seats only seven, don’t let that dissuade you, as patrons usually quickly gobble down their baskets of fish and chips, leaving a stool free for you by the time your order is up. Others run in and out to grab a to-go basket, and when the weather is pleasant, folks elbow each other on the bench outside, where the vinegar is always within an arm’s reach.
Though my personal favorite regarding the fish is the cod, you will find a variety of choices on hand, including haddock, sole, whiting, and shrimp. If fish isn’t your thing, try the traditional Irish pork sausage in a golden batter, or spicy fried chicken chunks served with rose sauce. Whatever you order, you’ll find that the batter is light and crispy (no Trans fat!) and doesn’t interfere with the taste of the fresh fish. The chips, unlike skinny American fries, are thick and hearty, with a snap on the outside and soft fleshy potato on the inside. I suggest that you forego the traditional dousing of food with ketchup and instead try the Sarson’s original malt vinegar, as it adds just the right twang on the tongue.
Still, it’s not only about the fried delights and vinegar. At A Salt & Battery you can also feast on traditional British-style savory pies, such as steak and kidney, served with a dark, rich gravy; chicken and mushroom in a light creamy sauce; or beef and onion, served in golden pastry. Whether you’re delving into a fish fry or a pie, you should also try one or two of their delightfully original side dishes, some of which you’ve probably never tasted before, such as the chip butty, which is chips in a buttered soft white roll, or battered beets and home made mushy peas.
Thirsty? You can find the usual suspects on the beverage list (Coke, Sprite, tea), but you should top off your experience with a British brew. One of my favorites is a pineapple and grapefruit flavored soda called Lilt. But you can also try the Idris English ginger beer, English lemonade with a touch of Bass Ale (the Shandy), orange or apple English soda (Tango), English lemon soda, or another favorite of mine – a black currant and grape soda called Vimto.
Room for dessert? A Salt & Battery offers tempting delights with a twist. For example, the Mars bar is an imported English Mars bar that is battered and deep fried and absolutely mouth watering. The toffee crisp is a wafer with caramel and rice crispies, battered and deep fried, of course. If something a little less sweet and decadent is your style, the pineapple or banana fritters won’t disappoint your palate.
The prices at A Salt & Battery are very affordable and the guys manning the fryers and the counters are all friendly Brits that love to push their chips. All you need to do is make your way to 112 Greenwich Avenue, between 12th and 13th Streets, and you can forego spending your money on that plane ticket to London. You’ll soon find that snuggling onto one of the seven stools in the small shop will lead you to a discovery with big taste. A Salt & Battery is open seven days a week, from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM.
