I have some nice memories from this special chippy (fish & chip shop for overseas readers.) Barrie's Plaice was where I had my first ever turkey burger in 1987. Remember, food before the eighties was quite regular and dare I say boring if you happened to live in a tiny fishing village in West Wales. Until the neon lit decade, diets consisted of sunday dinners, cheese/beans on toast and chips. Things like Chinese and Indian takeaways were unheard of, as were battered beefburgers and pineapple fritters, so when the humble turkey burger arrived on the culinary scene it felt quite exciting. (Sounds weird to type that in 2010!)
Barrie's Plaice
Three of us schoolfriends went to Barrie's chippy and we bought a turkey burger in a bun each, topped off with tomato ketchup. I remember biting into it and immediately thinking, 'hell this is lovely!' Almost wanting another one there and then. Of course food critics would say it was the dawn of junk food but for three young pals it was a Heavenly sandwich.
Another nice thing about the chip shop is it is on the same street as not one but three pubs; The Hope & Anchor, The Portobello and The George. So after a night of song and ale what better way to end than rissole and chips fresh from Barries? Or even better a beef burger as those are delicious and he never scrimps with the onions.
Little things about the chip shop also stick in my mind, like the wooden seat that is buy the large plate glass window. I say 'seat' as everyone used to sit on it whilst waiting for fish suppers but in fact I think it was a cover of sorts to hide away electic circuits or something. Neverthless, it was a seat to us customers and Barrie didn't mind at all.
Which brings me nicely to the owners themselves; Barrie and Ann. Wonderful people and Barrie always used to have an impromptu song to belt out when you were in there. (he was a drummer in a band in times past.) And good at cracking jokes too. It wasn't simply food you got inside, you had a mini cabaret. This is why I will always choose village eateries over giant restraunt chains because once you enter one of those you become anonymous, just another customer.
So there you go; Barrie's Plaice, one of THE best fish & chips shops in Wales and if you ever find yourself in Burry Port, do yourself a big favour and stop by. All the food is great but my personal favourites will always be the pies and beefburgers. Stunning, thats all there is to it. You might even get a song too.
