Matt and Cat\'s Isle of Wight Eating Out Guide
If you’re visiting Ryde and enjoying the esplanade or the huge expanses of sand, you’re unlikely to look behind the rows of imposing Victorian...

If you’re visiting Ryde and enjoying the esplanade or the huge expanses of sand, you’re unlikely to look behind the rows of imposing Victorian residences that front the shore.

Chipmunks, Monkton St, Ryde

If you did, you’d be even less likely to venture down Monkton Street, with its appearance of an inconsequential urban backstreet. But by such an omission you would miss out on the pleasure of the row of shops which features Chipmunks fish and chip bar, a small but well-frequented takeaway chip shop that, despite being only a few moments from the beach, is almost entirely patronised by locals.

Chipmunks is a simple, homely chip shop that serves good food quickly. It’s not got the finest chips on the island, but it’s great value for money and very far from having the worst. The portion size and quality certainly trump the better-placed Cod Father.

Matt is a regular patron, usually enjoying a generous portion of cod, and junior reviewers Bill and Jack swear by the Chipmunks battered jumbo and saveloy. The friendly and brisk service adds to the experience, plus, if you’re in a hurry, it’s almost always possible to park right outside.

  • patrick says:

    Sadly disappointed, having visited on the recommendation of this site. Disorganised queuing – new arrivals and waiting customers jumbled up – and a lacklustre and apathetic welcome. Shabby and down-at-heel premises. Fish was poorly-presented and barely cooked. Chips were better, but overall package was no-where near the quality of the two town-centre venues. First and last treck to “Monkton Village” I fear…

    • Jackie says:

      Patrick …. you must of come on a very busy evening and where do you suggest we place the various people … it’s a small shop not a tardis ..as for shabby shop !! How dare you .it certainly is not … people work hard in my shop and we all do our best …but to some people that’s that not good enough… thank you

    • Jenna says:

      This review is a load of rubbish, definitely an inaccurate judgement of this great business! Just scroll down for ALL the other very good and truthful reviews. They always do a great job and are very friendly x

  • Shakira says:

    Easily the best fish and chips on the Island!!

  • andy says:

    Best chippie in Ryde. Godfather the worst.

  • Tabitha says:

    One of the best treats after a day on the beach or swimming at Waterside with the children. And I can justify chips as I have done some exercise

  • jackie says:

    had some amazing food in here last night ….. salmon fishcakes are lovely !!

  • eric - ryde says:

    Excellent,really pleased for them.
    Only trouble is more people, but longer wait!
    Keep up the good work.

    And just along the way, I noticed the Solent Inn has reopened, so we popped in for a drink.
    Looks as though it has had a spruce up (probably about time) and the people there seemed friendly and on the ball. Plus we saw that music is still on the agenda. So we will return.

  • karen dilk owner says:

    WE ARE NOW THE PROUD OWNERS OF 2 ISLAND AWARDS:-

    1) VOTED BEST FISH AND CHIPSHOP TAKEAWAY ON THE ISLAND 2012 BY HOVERTRAVEL
    CUSTOMERS.

    2) BEST CHIP AWARD 2013 VOTED BY THE SQUASH CHIP CHALLENGE AND ST. JAMES CHURCH.

    🙂 COME AND GIVE US A TRY

  • terry craig says:

    one word !!!! yummy !!!! that’s it nuff said , in the words of Arnie !!! i’ll be back !!!!

  • maxwell says:

    really enjoyable supper …. reasonable price and clean and friendly , busy which usually means good , only downfall is its tucked away so unless you know its there you could miss it ……. and that would be a shame coz it was really very good ….. highly recommend

    p.s they also have 2012 award from hovertravel , voted best takeaway fish and chips by hover travel customers…………..

  • Tried the ‘Rock’ fish as plaice had run out….it was fantastic. Much better flavour and texture than cod, a tad more expensive but I would pay it. Always good in here…keep up the great work xxxx

  • Anthony Wood says:

    Had some lovely Cod & Chips from here yesterday lunchtime. Usual high quality standard.

  • louise (visitor) says:

    fantastic food, chips amazing !!! came highly reccomended and now i know why very pleased with all the food and the shop was really busy (thats always a good sign )

  • karen says:

    hi lisa , im karen the owner and im sorry you feel you had a bad experience this time , infact i remember you and you even commented about coming down last year , i can recall clearly that you ordered one of our salmon and dill fishcakes , im shocked you found our food not as good as last year and i cant think why , our fish is from the same supplier and we continue to spend more on getting the best quality produce we can ………. our fish still remains one of the highest standards and is not a thin small piece but usually thick and fleshy , had you of let me know of your displeasure i would of gladly put it right for you…
    thanks MintyMat for your comment its most appreciated , i work really hard to offer my customers value for money but unfortunately it seems i cant get it right everytime :O) i hope lisa will be kind enough to give us another try and im sure she’d feel different :O)

  • @MintyMat says:

    I’m sorry to hear you had a bad experience, Lisa. I live in Ryde and Chipmunks remains my favourite chip shop on the Island. I’ve eaten from here most weeks for 5 years and have loved my grub EVERY time!

  • Lisa says:

    Come back fish & chips of last year!!!
    Awful in comparison to last year!!
    Large cod was gorgeous last year….this year…smaller than the small cods I’ve had! Lack of any meat too!!
    I wanted this to be the fish & chip shop to visit each holiday!!
    Now I’ll have to look elsewhere…boo hoo hoo

  • maz says:

    i disagree with your review cat and matt where you say there not the finest chips on the island – i think they are a very good contender for the one of the best, i spent two weeks on the island and ate from a fair few and this is in my top 3…. i think you need to update your write up or perhaps review again ….. but well done on website

  • paul evans (visitor) says:

    had a wonderful takeaway from here last night , it took a few extra minutes cause they were very busy (which is always a good sign) but didnt mind cause the atmosphere was really nice the staff were laughing and joking with the customers whiles they worked and it was a real nice add to our easter holidays ….. will definately come again when we’re back and you cant beat kids meals for £1.30 !!! also there are some funny signs spread around the shop , i actually left with a big smile on my face , well done to you all …….paul evans

  • anita says:

    i had a wonderful supper here today and will be making it a regular treat, i gotta say i love the funny little signs around the shop it makes it interesting and while your waiting for your food you can get a giggle i love the one about jogging and even took a photo of it to put on my facebook page , keep up the good work and i love the salmon fishcakes

  • PAUL MULLERY says:

    No problem Karen

  • karen (owner) says:

    im sorry for the way you feel but after reading your comments i asked a few customers how they felt about my funny signs especially the plant a man one and they all (all men i might add ) agreed they were all light hearted and fun !!!! im happy with what i have achieved over the last 13 years in my shop and will continue to run it the same way ….. im also happy with my portion sizes as are most of my customers , like i said paul if you make your self known i will ensure you recieve meaty fish in future – i however prefer my fish from the tail end so everyones different – like the old saying goes: you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time but you can’t please all of the people all of the time…..kind regards karen…….

  • PAUL MULLERY says:

    I don’t think so Karen. If a large fish is ordered, then the meaty, non-tail part should be used without asking. Cutting fish is like cutting bacon. The meaty end at the shoulder is back bacon, the middle is middle bacon and the fatty tail end is streaky bacon. If you order “back” you don’t expect to be sold “streaky”

    With respect to the joke, I’ve witnessed enough complaints by women about signs in offices and shops depicting them as thick loose or only fit for lustful purposes. I agree with the ladies who take offence but lately it would appear only men are fair game for stereotyping.

  • karen (owner) says:

    paul if you look around my shop i have many funny little signs if you are offended by my dope sign then im sorry but i think 99% of people will take it in the way it was ment A JOKE !!!!
    lifes to hard to live so seriously so lighten up , as for the large cod one being meaty and one not so , not all of the fish is meaty as a fish has tail ends too which some people prefer if you want a meatier piece all you have to do is ask, make your self known to me paul and we can laugh over the dope joke :O) as you can tell by our shop and customers we are a small friendly family run business and i put my all into my business so please any problems tell me to my face and we can sort it out …… and thats for all my customers we cut our own fish so if you want it meatier just ask if you want a tail just ask ………. thankyou :O)

  • PAUL MULLERY says:

    Based on my previous experience, I visited Chipmonks a second time. The food was excellent with respect to taste but one portion was less than adequate. I ordered two large cod. One was passable as large but the other was mainly batter with little meat.

    During my time in the shop 7 customers were served – all male. I mention this because on the rear wall is a misandrist sign which states “grow your own dope – plant a male” Referring to 50% of your customers as dopes might not be a wise business move. This dope has taken note.

  • karen says:

    thankyou lisa , im glad your son liked the salmon and dill fish cake , i agree they are yummy , im sorry you thought our portions a little small compared to mainland but am glad you enjoyed your meal ………… look forward to seeing you again when you next visit our beautiful island ……… kind regards karen :O)

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