North Yorkshire chippy marks 20 years of serving fresh and tasty fish and chips

Dave Dhesi believes in offering the best customer service (Image: Pic supplied)

A North Yorkshire fish and chip shop has just celebrated 20 years in business, during which it always had a five-star rating for food hygiene.

Happy Haddock was opened on July 17, 2006, by Dave and Jaz Dhesi of Wheldrake in a former transport café on the A19 York to Selby road at Deighton.,

Dave says he recognised a need for a quality fish and chip shop in the area.

He told The Press: “Several fish and chip shops have closed in York over the years, including locally in Fulford and Riccall so we feel really grateful and fortunate for the support and custom we have from our regulars.

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  The exterior of The Happy Haddock at Deighton

(Image: Pic supplied)

“Our secret for success we put down to the quality products we ensure we use. We always taste our food products and provide a quality service.”

Dave continued: “For example, if an elderly/disabled/ with children person needed help, we will offer to take their order from their car and deliver to the car- this saves them struggling.

“Our motto is if you can help someone in any way, we should try to do that. We aim to serve good quality food and provide an excellent service consistently.

Dave Dhesi with a customer

(Image: Pic supplied)

The Happy Haddock uses fresh skinless haddock delivered from a supplier in Bridlington and chips from locally-grown potatoes.

Dave said: “All are chipped and prepped on premises daily, we do not use prepared chips like many chippies do nowadays, as we feel these potatoes lose their flavour.

“We still do things the traditional way, including frying in beef dripping. Further our fish is freshly prepared to order and we never precook and keep under heaters, we feel our customers prefer to wait the few minutes.”

Dave says he is particularly proud of consistent five-star ratings for food hygiene, with the latest such rating given on June 26, and the inspector saying in the feedback form “very well-run business, no issues to raise.”

The take-away has always been 5-star rated for food hygiene

(Image: Pic supplied)

Dave says customers do use these ratings when deciding where to eat, adding Food Standards literature says 61 per cent won’t eat in establishments with a rating below 3 stars.

“My customers often joke about my obsession with the cleanliness of the shop, as I am constantly cleaning on the go.”

Most customers are from the local villagers, but it does attract regulars from as far as York, Grimsby and Leeds. With some becoming like family and friends they have got to know over the years.

The collision damage in 2023

(Image: Pic supplied)

Much has happened since 2006, including Covid in 2020 and in 2023 a car came off the road and into the premises, forcing a temporary closure while repairs were made.

And whilst fish and chips have become increasingly expensive nowadays, Dave still feels they represent good value as they are nutritious and they fill you up.

Dave added: “We want to say a BIG, BIG thank you to all our customers and staff. Without your support we would not be here, so from the bottom of our hearts a big thank you for your custom and celebrating 20 years of Happy Haddock traditional fish and chips.”

Have you been to the Happy Haddock? What did you have? What did you think? What is your favourite chippy? Please share us your thoughts in the comments below?