The 5 Indisputably Best Curry Chips in Dublin
Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Via google Images
Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Via google Images
Curry Chips is the OG as far as modern Irish favourites go. It replaced bacon and cabbage as the nation’s favourite dish an age ago; and now, if you were to poll the country, I think it would still give the beloved spice bag a run for her money.
Irish curry sauce is a distinctly different beast that bears no resemblance to any legitimate curry from any culture associated with it. And it’s much more viscous than even its British counterpart, and we have no idea where it came from. In part, because Irish food traditions have been oral by nature since the 90% Catholic majority weren’t really allowed to be educated for centuries. Sorry to always bring it back to colonialism, but food culture will always come back to colonialism.
Curry Chips, or chips drowned in curry sauce, has been a mainstay of every Irish local town chip shop for nearly 40 years now. According to Waterford Whispers, “Curry chips were first introduced to Ireland by Saint Patrick on the Hill of Tara in 435AD, but later banned by the British in 1641, starting an 11-year war. The ban on curry would not be lifted until 300 years later by sitting Taoiseach, Eamon De Valera.”
Which seems as likely as the official story that this dish was invented “In the 1960’s when a Mr. Knight, Mr. Wood and Mr. Stern set up a little business in Orchard Street, Salford making pie fillings for local bakers. One seemingly innovative baker asked for a curry sauce filling, saying he was going to make chicken curry pies. The Staff at Dinaclass made up a trial 100 kilos of the stuff, but the baker walked away saying he had decided not to go ahead. Left with this 100kg, several local chippies were approached and told they could have it ‘at cost’. Two shops took the product and very quickly asked for more despite the fact that the price had to increase to cover production costs”.
And so, the curry chip spread across the Western World. But they would take credit for anything, as evidenced by their recent attempt to steal Barry Keoghan. So I dunno if you can really believe this. My personal opinion is that it was invented by some kid working in Supermac’s for the summer. But I haven’t a lick of evidence to substantiate that claim other than Supermac’s have always been innovators, and they led the charge of topped chips around Ireland.
In all likelihood, the curry chip was invented by someone who was a child of two cultures fugging around and finding out. Either way, whoever it was is at the right hand of the father now because they are the saviour of the Irish people. They’re right up there with Saint Patrick, in my opinion.
So, in their honour, here’s the definitive list of the 5 Indisputably Best Curry Chips in Dublin, tested, tasted, and approved by our intrepid crew at Char.
Olivo’s, Stoneybatter
Olivo’s has got your back. The chips here are like a crunchy canvas for the masterpiece that is their curry sauce. It tastes exactly the way curry chips should taste. It’s so perfectly on the money, you’ll be questioning why you’ve been settling for less.
Leo Burdock, Lord Edward Street
Leo Burdock is the maestro of the curry chip composition. The actual best one is nestled on Lord Edward Street. Stumbling out of The Lord Ed after a few Smithies and you smell the joy that is the curry chips calling to you. Every time it’s like they’ve discovered the secret Irish spice route and bottled it up in their curry sauce. Bonus points if you go for the battered sausage with it, but not actually required.
Rainbow, Cabra:
Cabra might be known for its quaint charm and as the home of the Late Great Michael Gambon, but Rainbow is putting it on the map for something much more important – mind-blowing curry chips. It’s not just about the curry sauce here; it’s about the perfect marriage of crispy and saucy. How they manage to keep the crunch in their chips while smothering it in the most amount of sauce will leave you wondering if you’ve just stumbled upon the curry chip holy grail.
Summer Inn, Finglas
Finglas might be far north on the map, but Summer Inn is worth the trek. The curry chips here are so good they could make you forget about the unpredictable Irish weather. The perfect balance of spice, crunch, and potato goodness will have you contemplating moving to Finglas just for these life-changing curry chips.
Mc Guinness, Camden Street
Drumroll, please! The crown jewel, the numero uno, the holy grail of curry chips in Dublin – McGuinness on Camden Street. It’s not just a chip; it’s a cultural phenomenon. The ultimate drunk food spot. The curry sauce here is so divine you’ll consider taking a bath in it. It’s the kind of curry chip that legends are made of, and we’re not exaggerating (much). They even have a designated vegan menu, so you can get your soakage even if you’re on the Veganuary buzz.
So, there you have it – the 5 Indisputably Best Curry Chips in Dublin. Remember, Dubliners, these rankings are as sacred as a pint of Guinness, so get out there and embark on a curry chip pilgrimage.
