Chip Shop (or How EB Hit Rock Bottom)
Empanada Boy is now on a diet. I know, I know, it crushes me too when a man who loves food so much has to be reigned in. It’s not as if he’s had to punch new holes in his belt or anything, but we both agree that he could trim up a bit if he’s going to look like a young Paul Newman for the wedding. I also want to be sure he lives a long and healthy life with me. EB has done a fantastic job of sticking to his diet during his first week. He’s kept to his calorie limit every day and has even turned down birthday cake and beer. He’s riding the stationary bike as I write this. We both agree it’s for the best, but I can’t help thinking that this is something like the end of an era. What was the tipping point? The answer can be found somewhere in the depths of the fryer at Chip Shop.
Chip Shop is a British-themed fish and chips joint in Park Slope, Brooklyn. EB used to frequent it when he lived in the neighborhood, and he had been looking forward to dinner there months before we came to New York. We rounded up Vladimir Pudding and EB’s former roommate Bassdrum Crumb to join us. Chip Shop specializes in one mode of cooking: frying. A deep-fried pizza even appears on its menu. I was content with fish and chips, but the frying possibilities were too tempting for EB. He ordered a meal, which comes with a side, fish and chips and dessert. He started with a lovely ball of deep fried mac ‘n cheese (pictured above). It was actually pretty disgusting— just as lumpy, heavy and goopy as it looks. EB’s next course was the cod fish and chips. The fish was tender, but batter on these was too bready and lacked the fine crispiness I was expecting. The fries were decent, but not remarkable.
As if all that weren’t enough, EB’s dessert was a Twinkie cut in half and deep-fried into two calorie-laden packets. Fittingly, they looked like empanadas dusted with powdered sugar. One bite revealed a gooey, fake creamy interior that could only be one thing. The fruit compote that came on the side may have been one of the only sources of nutrients in the entire meal. As that meal came to an end, the seeds of regret and self-doubt were planted in his mind. Empanada Boy was disappointed in the diminished quality of the food, acknowledging that it probably wasn’t worth the calories. It was a Chip Shop epiphany. And it wasn’t long before the diet began. I may not have exactly the same Empanada Boy when it’s all said and done, but I’ll have a trimmer, more studly guy standing next to me on wedding day.
Chip Shop (another location in Brooklyn Heights)
383 Fifth Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718.832.7701
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Mango Mama said,
May 4, 2008 @ 9:14 am
One of your best posts ever! I laughed out loud.
The food here sounds truly gross (deep fried mac and cheese ?!), but I admire EB for being game to try it all. Of course, I admire him even more for starting a diet. You go, EB!
Empanada Boy said,
May 4, 2008 @ 9:53 am
I remember Chip Shop being so much better when I lived in Park Slope 4 yrs ago. Whether my standards have changed or the quality of cooking has changed at Chip Shop, I can’t say, but I can say that restaurant and its menu has definitely changed. For one, the restaurant had contracted in space and was only half as big as it was 4 years ago. Also, the menu is substantially smaller. They used to have all these delicious curry options on the menu, none of which are still available. Lastly, I remember the fried fish being the best I’d ever had, and I certainly didn’t feel that way after this visit. When I told all my old peeps in NY before the trip that I was so excited to go back to Chip Shop and most of them responded by saying “Yeah, Chip Shop’s ok… but have heard about this other fish ‘n chip spot…” So maybe it’s not as good as I remember.
Tofutti Cutie said,
May 4, 2008 @ 8:21 pm
Hooray for EB! The pictures tell it all! Here’s to healthy, delicious food in modest portions for a lifetime of pleasure!