Lanzarote Information

“You can’t get proper, UK style Fish n Chips here in Lanzarote” were my first words to owner Matthew Jenkinson. He got up from the table and went into the restaurant, returning a few moments later with a plateful. I was wrong! I was also intrigued to find out how Matthew and his team had achieved the seemingly impossible.

It seems that it took more than a little science, and about five weeks to perfect the technique, but essentially it boiled down to three key areas:

• The Batter. Here in our hot climate we need a lighter batter for the fish, and the team came up with the perfect mix, after trying several different beers to get the consistency and lightness required
• The Spuds. This was the biggest issue they faced. In UK potatoes are strictly controlled in terms of the soil they’re grown in, the output of starch and sugar and so on. This means that one bag of Maris Piper spuds cooks and tastes exactly the same as any other. Here in Lanzarote, our organic style of growing means that the potatoes vary tremendously from day to day. Somehow, and he won’t tell me how, Matthew has found a way (using some food science voodoo) to make sure that the chips come out perfectly cooked, time after time.
• The Oil. Apparently there is only one oil which works well for frying fish n chips, leaving them without grease, and Double Six are using it!

Matthew and his wife Lorna moved to the island earlier this year, and they had been looking for a business to buy and run. His background was originally in Fish n Chips, in Bridlington, Yorkshire, although he then moved on to work for a major food wholesaler, before buying his own food supply business in the UK. Over time, that business built into a big one, but Matthew never lost his love of good old fish n chips.

Once he’d found the perfect place to set up Double six, he set out on a mission to create “The best fish n chips in Lanzarote.” I think he’s succeeded! As well as fish, they also serve kebabs, burgers and southern fried chicken, the latter using a secret recipe once again devised with time and care to produce a dry, flavorful result, so much tastier than the other well known version.

Throw a double six!

If the name has intrigued you, here’s the explanation: After every sit down meal at the restaurant, either inside or outside on the palm shaded tables overlooking to sea, you’re given a pair of dice. Throw a double six and the meal is free! It doesn’t matter how many people there are in your party, the bill will be torn up. In fact the very first winner, on opening day, was a family group lead by a lady called Beth Thompson, and they were in a party of ten!

The combination of that promotion and the brilliant word of mouth they are establishing around the island is enough to ensure that this new business is really going places.

Why don’t you head down to Double Six and check them out for yourself? Then come back here and leave a comment telling us what you think. You can also comment on Double Six’s Facebook page.

Double Six is in Calle Bajamar in Puerto del Carmen, on the road heading down to Playa Chica.