Famous chips and famous faces
When Justin Timberlake’s parents were there, where was Justin? This is a legitimate question when you look up at the Leo Burdock’s Hall Of Fame. Justin’s parents are listed on the wall, while he himself is notably absent.
The chipper is renowned for pulling in big names and listing them proudly on its wall. Spandau Ballet, Ray Charles, André 3000, even Edith Piaf. A possible supergroup?
Bruce Springsteen is something of a regular customer. The Boss is known for his love of fish and chips and Leo Burdock is just a short stroll from one of his favourite watering holes – The Long Hall.
The chipper pulls in other names too. Local ones, maybe less well known, who come time and time again. Then, there’s the tourists who go out of their way to pay a visit to the tiny chipper, which is a superstar of Dublin’s food and drink scene available to gastronomers of every budget.
The story of Dublin’s oldest chipper
Open up the bag, and let out that quintessential chip smell. You hurriedly blow on the contents inside to hasten the cooling process. No, you’re going to have to wait. But the sooner you do that, the sooner you can feast on the goodness inside.
There’s those seriously crispy, golden chips that are oh so soft in the middle. And not forgetting those strips of fresh fish in that glorious batter. Or the crispy bits thrown in on top.
Leo Burdock’s is Leo Burdock’s. The chipper is known the city over. It’s just one of those things in Dublin, like a piece of furniture that’s always been there. You don’t remember the first time you saw it because it’s always been a fixture. But what is it about the place? How’s it been there so long? Dublin.ie is on the case.
We’ve got Darren Salmon on hand to help us. A good name to have in a chipper, he quips. Mr. Salmon has been here for almost 30 years. He began as a runner, bringing the potatoes up the hill to the original Leo Burdock’s here at Christ Church on Werburgh Street.
He’s worked in some of the other Burdock’s chippers too, but he’s been manager at Christ Church for the last 13 years.
Dubs will always have their chipper preference, but Leo Burdocks is quite a name. Does he feel any pressure?
“It’s a big name to behold,” says Salmon. It’s older than the state. There’s been revolution, a civil war and two world wars since then.
During the second one, the chipper had to close its doors due to shortages, but they reopened soon after. Governments have come and gone. It’s seen recession, boom and bust, but they’re still there serving those all important fish and chips.