Mobile chippy batters opposition to win again.
A Milton Keynes-based mobile chip van has been named among the UK’s 50 best fish and chip takeaways for 2025.
Howe & Co’s van number 55, owned and operated by husband and wife fryers Jamie and Charlotte Bachman, was listed among the ‘Chippies topping the charts in 2025’ in Fry Magazine’s latest awards.
And while most of the 50 winners were take away restaurants, the Milton Keynes entry was a mobile outlet. The accolade follows two ‘mystery shop’ inspections by Fry’s judges, checking for food quality, cleanliness, staff expertise, value for money, ease of ordering and social media presence.
The fish stakes are high: only operators with the greatest scores earn an award. The pass mark this year for both the takeaway and restaurant categories was 96% and above.
Howe & Co’s 97% was enough for an award with mystery diners saying: ‘The van was clean inside and out’, ‘Staff were very polite, smiling, warm and friendly’, and ‘The batter was crisp, golden and even’.
It’s not the first time Jamie and Charlotte have netted the fish fryers’ award – in the last eight years they have been recognised by judges six times.
“We are absolutely thrilled with this achievement,” Jamie told MKFM. “After just missing the mark last year we were determined to enter and secure a win this time around. The excitement never fades.”
Jamie’s van visits the Milton Keynes Lakes Estate as part of a wide area covering the south of the city. He also provides a catering service for private events, but he says a good quality chip van business is where his popularity lies.
“The fish is the most popular item on the menu,” he said. “We keep the menu as simple as possible so that we can offer proper, good quality, and the fish is always the main choice. But we do have a home-made fish cake which is also very popular.”
Find Jamie’s van here: www.facebook.com/mobilechippy55
