I'm Banging My Drum About Fish

[hc4361]

WHY is it still legal for restaurants and all eateries to sell 'fish and chips' without specifying the type of fish?
They can't sell 'meat pie' without specifying the meat.

[dannyk13]

Probably because certain types of meat are forbidden on religious grounds and fish is not.

[shoota]

They sell chicken and chips without specifying 'Rhode Island Red and Desiree...'

[davebro]

they don't tell you if a steak pie came from an Aberdeen Angus or a Limousin!

[hc4361]

Hardly the same. My local pub sells 'traditional fish and chips' but doesn't advertise that it is panga (river cobbler, basa). Hardly traditional and some people do have an allergy to it.

It's impossible to know if the cost is reasonable if you don't know what you're buying. I'd pay a lot more for cod than I would for pollock. I won't eat panga.

[dannyk13]

You could always ask before purchasing any.

[aelmpvw]

asking what sort of fish it is may get the reply 'battered'

[Mamyalynne]

I agree that they should and the better outlets already do, I have no idea about the legality.

This is a very popular eatery here.

http://www.olympusfishandchips.co.uk/menus/

[Prudie]

what's the point - it all tastes the same :-)

[Tilly2]

If you ask for haddock, you'll get haddock...but it's costly.

[Mamyalynne]

I can tell the difference between cod and haddock but would object to paying the same money for panga.

Fortunately I have no allergies.

[sanmac]

I prefer halibut, it's much tastier to me than any other fish.

[dannyk13]

I wouldn't want to pay the same for panga as I would for cod or haddock, but I find it quite acceptable.It is quite firm and I often cook with it.

[hc4361]

I'd be a bit surprised if my fish and chips turned out to be one sardine with chips :D

I don't need to know if where my beef or chicken came from, or what breed - I do need to know if it is beef, lamb, pork or horse. Chicken, turkey, goose or duck. Cod, haddock, salmon or trout. These are all very different meat, poultry and fishes and we should know what we're paying for.

If the menu doesn't specify the fish I do ask. Usually the waiting staff don't know and have to go off and find out.

[ummmm]

Is Panga the same as Basa/River Cobbler?

[hc4361]

Yes it is, ummm, usually imported from Vietnam

[jno]

I like the occasional steak and ale pie but they never seem to specify what steak or what ale.

I guess the thing to do is ask the person behind the counter.

[hc4361]

I bet it says beef steak, jno.

[shoota]

The menu posted by Mamy has 'Meat Pie', 'Meat and Potato' pies and pasties advertised.

[shoota]

Also 'Steak and Kidney Pie'...

[ummmm]

Also in America, hc..