Murgatroyds serves up an extensive selection of seafood at lightening-quick speed. This is good old fish and chips just the way it should be.

The Venue
Murgatroyds sits on the main A658 close to the airport, and if the low-flying planes aren’t enough of a clue then the bright green illuminated restaurant sign certainly catches your attention.

At the entrance there's a small but well-stocked bar where you'll be welcomed by a member of staff who will find you a suitable table. Do bear in mind that at busy times (between 6pm and 8pm) you may well have to wait to be seated, with queues sometimes outside the door.

Murgatroyds' decor is slightly retro, with reds and greens, a mixture of chairs and tables and diner-style benches all with overhanging colourful lampshades.

If it’s summer, or you’re just feeling brave, there's also the takeaway fish and chip counter and a set of picnic benches and tables where you can sit outside and marvel at how great fish and chips tastes outdoors. There's also ample parking.

The People
Most of the customers are regulars, a sure testament to the quality of the food. There's a good collection of slightly older customers enjoying the Senior Citizen’s Extravaganza’ with last orders at 8pm.

There are also young families and of course intergenerational combinations of the two. So, expect a lively atmosphere full of chatter and laughter which gives the restaurant a buzz but is never intrusive. Staff are very friendly and serve at lightening speed. Any request is met with a smile and a willingness to accommodate.

The Food
Their collection of sumptous dishes could tantalise any palate. Simple starters include fruit juices at £1.25 or there are some extravangant twists on the old classics such as prawn cocktail at £5.50 or mussels Mediterranean in a tomato sauce with chorizo sausage at £4.50.

Standard haddock and chips are in a league of their own, far above the stodgy offerings of other chippies. No soggy batter here, instead your tastebuds are treated to succulent flakes of white fish, which must have been transported from the sea at breakneck speed, nestling in a coat of crispy batter that just melts in your mouth.

Their chips are serious chips and would slap a French fry into the beginning of next week. Made from Maris Piper potatoes they're cooked to perfection on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Cover them in salt and vinegar and defy yourself not to salivate!

You can go from the £7.95 portion with chips and bread and butter which is adequate for most, to the £10.95 Billy Murg Special if you have been saving yourself, to the £12.95 Big ‘Un which should only be contemplated by the ravenous. There are also cod and plaice options.

If you prefer your fish not battered but gently grilled there is the haddock al funghi in a mushroom fresh cream and white whine sauce or the haddock and prawn supreme where the haddock is gently cooked in a prawn and parsley sauce, both at £11.75.

Fish not your thing? Have you been dragged in by a bunch of amphibious enthusiasts? Fear not, as you can enjoy a chicken dish such as the hot and spicy breaded chicken accompanied by a spicy tomato sauce, chips and salad at £9.25 or the jumbo pork sausage served with mushy or garden peas and onion gravy at £7.95.

For the herbivores still drumming their fingers with impatience there are some delicious vegetarian dishes which have been created with more than just salad in mind. Try the roasted vegetable lasagne verdi with garlic bread at £8.25, or the luxury breaded vegetarian kiev with jacket potato or new potatoes and a salad garnish at £8.25.

Desserts are calorific and indulgent and a session at the gym may be a wise idea the following day. But who cares when there’s a sponge pudding luring you to a place of comfort where you can languish in perfect oblivion?

Choose from the dangerously appealing sticky toffee, ginger, jam, lemon or treacle sponges, the latter of which has that wonderfully smooth and syrupy texture that just blends with the light sponge and creamy custard in a way that makes you smile as if you were five again which for £3.75 is considerably cheaper than botox!

If you’ve resisted sponge pudding your smugness can only be brief as jam roly poly, bread and butter pudding and apple crumble are all waiting in line to tempt you in.

The Drink
Drinks range from the classic pot of tea for just £1 which will take you into your third cup, to more contemporary cappuccinos and lattes. Soft drinks include cola, lemonade and Irn-Bru at £1.25.

The bar is extensive and stocks the locally brewed John Smith’s Extra Smooth Bitter and Tetley’s Smooth flow both at £2.40 a pint or there's Carlsberg Export and Stella at £2.95.

The Last Word
Murgatroyds offers traditional dishes cooked just as you remember them. With an exotic twist, their menu ensures there's something to suit every palate.

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