"My mother is the pillar of Stumpy's, we call her the little general."
The Leggott family bought Stumpy's Riverside about 14 years ago from South African brothers, who were friends with Mr Leggott, while they were still living in Durban, South Africa. The family moved to Northland not long after to take over the business.
Mr Leggott worked in South Africa as a commercial fisherman and loved fish but when they purchased Stumpy's they had no clue how much Northlanders loved it too. While Northlander's love their fish and chips, they don't feature on many takeaway menus in their home country.
"Absolutely no idea how much everyone loved it, it was a huge surprise," said Mr Leggott.
Stumpy's was so popular they decided to open a sister store in Kawakawa six years ago. The franchise is definitely a family business, Mr Leggott's sister, Bonnie, owns the Kawakawa store and his wife, Dagny, used to cook in the store before looking after their three kiddies. His mum, Cally, is co-director and runs the Whangarei store.
Their family secret to success is they do most of the work themselves, from hooking the fish to frying it.
"We catch our own fish, smoke and fillet on site and our oil is cleaned daily," said Mr Leggott.
Cally Leggott said she couldn't stress enough how important clean oil is.
"That's a big thing. It's also a case of draining well, shake, bang and hang is the thing we do."
The batter for the fish is a family recipe, if you're hoping it will be revealed, you are out of luck.
"You know we get people asking for the recipe all the time, it's a secret," she said.
However, Mr Leggott did reveal that much like Colonel Sanders' chicken, it's the blend of herbs and spices. "We use South African seasoning."
Fish cakes, mussel fritters, paua fritters and sweetcorn fritters were also made in-store.
Mr Leggott said to see how popular they were, just visit the shop on a Friday night.
"It's definitely our busiest night. We can easily serve 30 to 50 customers within an hour."
It's a busy job owning and running a fish and chip shop. Mr Leggott said he could sometimes work an 18- or 20-hour day. "We go fishing two to three times a week, fillet three times a week and smoke two times a week. But it's great being able to supply Northland with fresh fish when others buy from Auckland."
Living and breathing fish and chips hasn't put the Leggotts off eating their own cooking. Mr Leggott says he eats them all the time.
"I love my own fish and chips and a fillet of gurnard is my favourite."
THE TOP 5:
- Stumpy's Takeaways Riverside and Kawakawa.
On Riverside Drive sits the Whangarei Stumpy's store. About eight minutes from Onerahi Beach, it is easy to order a couple of fish and some chips and head to the seaside to eat them. About an hour north is their sister store in Kawakawa.
"Stumpy's on Riverside Drive, then sitting down at the beach side in Onerahi ... those were the good ole days and still are." - Tania Collings.
"Stumpy's Kawakawa best fish n chips the ladies know how to cook and always fresh oil." - Rob Fisher.
121 Riverside Drive, Riverside, Whangarei, New Zealand (09) 4381775 or 4 Station Road, Kawakawa (09) 4040860.
- Adriatic Fisheries.
It is not close to the beach but it's central Whangarei location means it's easy to take home and enjoy. Facebook users praised the Kensington shop for its fresh fish and generosity.
"ooh yeah and adriatics - they gave us heeeaaaaps one day and we only paid 5 bux for it too - was awesome." - - Kylee Panoho.
"Definitely adriatics only shop to sell fresh fish and their scallops are amazing when in season." - Olivia Beasley.
91 Kamo Road, Kensington, Whangarei, New Zealand (09) 437 3874.
- Opononi Beach Takeaways.
It is right by the sea so you can enjoy the classic Northland summer. The shop has people bragging about the garlic butter chips.
"Opononi fresh fish and yumi chips with that infamous garlic butter" - Marshella Tito.
"Opononi and there garlic butter chips fresh fish from the ocean and affordable " - Raphael Rawiri Polson.
23 State Highway 12, Opononi, Far North, New Zealand (09) 4058065.
- West End Schnapper Bar.
Located amongst a strip of convenience stores on the busy Maunu Rd. It is not exactly on the water's edge but still allows you a taste of summer.
"The best one I West End Snapper Bar, in Maunu by Bp :D" - Shontel Thomas.
"For delicious fresh schnapper, I love West End Schnapper Bar in Maunu." - Lesley Thomas.
47 Maunu Road Northland 0110, New Zealand (09) 4388133.
- Ngunguru Takeaways.
It is right across from the Ngunguru Estuary which means with your fish and chips in hand you can head to a seaside picnic table and enjoy a good feed. Locals have also said after a day of pipi picking it's a good place to get chips to go along with the day's collection.
"My aunty that lives in oz says that Ngunguru takeaways are the best and I agree." - Michelle Jackson.
"Ngungaru fish and chip shop always lived there half my life they were always good fresh fish and mussels never stingy or else stumps if need be." - Narelle Bryan.
1977 Ngunguru Road, Ngunguru, New Zealand (09) 4343768
Other fish and chips shops Facebookers loved were The Deck, Mcleod Bay, Parua Bay Fish and Chip Shop, World Famous Fish and Chips, Mangonui, Estuary Takeaways, Ruakaka and Jenny's Takeaways Hikurangi. - All comments from The Northern Advocate Facebook page, SIC
