Review: Bolton's Reel Fish and Chips has changed the game

It will come as no surprise to residents that Reel Fish and Chips has branched out to Oldham and taken the town by storm, after a decade of serving its fresh food from their Deane Road premises.

Brothers Mudassir Ibrahim and Kazam Ali have teamed up to bring their traditional chippy to Oldhamers, but in a more contemporary way than usual.

Mudassir Ibrahim outside Reel Fish and Chips, on Lees Road (Image: Newsquest)

Yesterday (January 27), I paid the Lees Road chippy a visit to try their new spicy dipped cod burger - and it might just have changed my life.

Shortly after 2.30pm, I rocked up to the former Grouse Inn pub, and was met by a hungry horde of Oldhamers, who unbeknown to them, were queuing for a taste of excellence.

To celebrate their grand opening the pair have pledged to donate "every penny" they earn this weekend to the Al-Khair Foundation, a charity which offers aid and relief to those in need on both sides of the conflict in Gaza, and have set themselves a target of £20,000.

When they initially told me of their target I thought there was no chance that they would even come close - but seeing the masses pile into their store in the 20 minutes I was inside, gave me a shimmer of hope that they could.

Dozens of customers eagerly await their food (Image: Newsquest)

Anyway, onto the review and why I believe Mudassir and Kazam have revolutionised the fish and chips game.

For 26 years, I've been getting your classic fish and chips, mushy peas and curry sauce, and I have been perfectly happy with my order - until I tasted their spicy fish burger.

Now, when I visit my local chippy I am going to be left disappointed because spicy fish and chips is completely unheard of - or at least it is under my rock.

Spicy dipped cod burger (Image: Newsquest)

After just under 10 minutes my order was ready, the spicy dipped cod burger with small fries and a bottle of water - very generously portioned and all for just £7.50, with a large pot of curry sauce for an additional £1.30.

With no seats available, I took it to go and enjoyed it in my car.

The cod was coated in a spicy sauce with cheese on top and lettuce underneath - delicately placed between a brioche bun.

There were no tables spare so reporter Joe Yates enjoyed his spicy dipped cod burger meal from his car (Image: Newsquest)

Despite the cod being deep fried, the burger was light and each bite cushioned softly through the fresh bread, while afternotes of spice whizzed through my tastebuds.

The chips were seasoned well with salt and vinegar - supplementing the fish burger well, while the curry sauce kept me grounded and brought a sense of calmness to this maverick of a meal.

Dining here was a breath of fresh air, not just for the food, but for its sense of community.

Welcome to Oldham Reel Fish and Chips, I will certainly be back.

Have you got a story to share? Email me at joe.yates@newsquest.co.uk and follow me on X, formerly Twitter, @JMYjourno