It was a controversial decision that divided customers when award-winning chippy chain, The Cod's Scallops, announced it was ditching beef dripping in favour of vegetable oil. Vegetarians hailed it a great move but die-hard dripping fans missed what they said was the chip shop's "unique selling point".
Some took their business elsewhere. One customer declared "so long to the best chip shop overnight", such was the strength of feeling when the chain introduced the new frying regime at its chip shops in Wollaton, West Bridgford and Carrington in Nottinghamshire, Long Eaton, Derbyshire, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, and Harborne, near Birmingham.
But more than a year later, the boss John Molnar has decided to reverse the decision - but before dripping fans get too excited, it's just at one takeaway and restaurant. The old-fashioned cooking method will return to the chippy in Bramcote Lane, Wollaton, in the new year.
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The move was announced on social media: "Drumroll please. On January 3rd 2023 BEEF DRIPPING will be back!!!!! Our Bramcote restaurant will be frying in beef dripping and only beef dripping… full time… indefinitely."
Mr Molnar said: "It was always my intention, once I'd got a site secured almost in the middle so once West Bridgford was open and trading, to take one back to being traditional and because Bramcote was the first and that's where we started it all off, that was always going to be the plan. You're ten minutes either side."
But once again there were mixed views. One happy customer said: "I can't wait. Been once when fried in oil and haven't been since. Roll on the new year." One man said: "I'll be making the journey from Ilkeston more often for beef dripping."
A woman added: "It's the only way to cook chips. The old-fashioned way. Takes me back to the 1950s when you had to buy it from the butchers. Or your mum and gran made it from the cooking the Sunday beef joint."
Customers were disappointed to hear that it won't be happening at Carrington, West Bridgford and Long Eaton, though. One, who used to visit the Long Eaton shop, said: "Won't be coming any time soon then. Cooking in beef dripping was what your reputation was built on."
The move has upset vegetarians who buy their chips from the Wollaton shop. "Well you've just lost a family of customers!" commented one. "Aww that’s sad news. My daughter will be gutted she can’t eat at her favourite place," posted another.
In a further announcement, The Cod's Scallops will be reducing prices by 23% on all food for customers who eat in any branch. This offer will run during January.
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