When representatives from Greene King Brewery and “Old Speckled Hen” – the U.K.’s largest Pub retailer, brewer and top-selling ale – held a contest to determine the best fish & chips in the U.S., the competition was fierce, with hundreds of contenders from all across the country. A six-week online voting period whittled nominations down to the top five before a week-long taste test ensued. Judges from Greene King traveled from England to the United States to judge fish & chips based on criteria including batter consistency, fish freshness, chip texture, and how well the dish complemented the flavor of “Old Speckled Hen.”
“Fish and Chips are our signature dish, so we’ve always been very particular about our recipe and the quality of the fish we source. They are also the national dish of Britain so it’s just an incredibly high honor to have British people decide that our version is the best in this country,” says Shannon Purkiss, marketing director for Tavern Restaurant Group.
Since being awarded the title, sales of The Pub’s signature dish have increased significantly and the guest feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. In response to those trends, The Pub has added an additional portion size as well as a bite-sized appetizer option set to debut on their next menu launch.
The Pub is part of Cincinnati-based Tavern Restaurant Group, founded by Nick Sanders in 1973. The group features three distinct restaurant concepts, including Nicholson’s and deSha’s American Tavern, as well as The Backstage Event Center downtown. The Pub has eight locations across Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida. Locally they include The Pub Rookwood in Cincinnati, The Pub in Crestview Hills (Northern Kentucky), and the Pub Beavercreek in Dayton.
Sanders is thrilled with the honor and credits his steadfast team for making it happen.
“We are incredibly grateful to our loyal patrons and talented staff who helped to make this recognition possible,” says Sanders. “Our team works diligently every day to bring an authentic British pub experience, complete with the ‘perfect fish & chips’ and a ‘perfect pint’ to each and every guest.”
Visit The Pub today to give your taste buds an award-winning taste of the U.K.!
The Pub Rookwood is located at 2692 Edmondson Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208. The Pub Crestview Hills is located at 2853 Dixie Hwy, Crestview Hills, KY. For more information, call 513.841.2748, visit experiencethepub.com, or follow on Facebook.