Why Good Friday is Traditionally the Day for Fish and Chips

Across the UK, Good Friday and fish and chips go hand in hand.

It's one of the busiest days of the year for chippies, with queues out the door and fryers working non-stop.

But have you ever wondered why this tradition exists?

At Premier 1 Filtration, we support fish and chip shops all year round, but we especially love the buzz and tradition that comes with Good Friday service. Let’s take a look at the origins of this iconic pairing.

The Religious Roots

The connection between Good Friday and eating fish goes back centuries. In Christianity, Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It's observed as a day of mourning and reflection, and traditionally, many Christians abstain from eating meat as a form of penance.

Fish, however, was considered an acceptable alternative. It’s seen as a humble food that provided nourishment without indulgence, perfect for a day of spiritual reflection. This practice is especially common among Catholics, but is followed by many across various Christian denominations.

Fish and Chips: A British Staple

While the religious practice of eating fish on Fridays dates back much further, the dish we now associate with it -fish and chips -has its roots in the 19th century.

Fish and chips became a working-class staple across the UK, particularly in coastal and industrial towns. Fried fish was introduced by Jewish immigrants from Spain and Portugal, while chips were a cheap and filling side. Together, they created a meal that was affordable, delicious, and quick to prepare.

So when Good Friday rolled around, it made perfect sense, fish and chips was the go-to choice for households observing the tradition.

Good Friday - A Day of Demand for Fish and Chips

Today, Good Friday remains one of the busiest days in the calendar for fish and chip shops. Customers flock in for their traditional meal, and shops often prepare for weeks in advance to make sure they can meet the demand.

That’s where we come in. At Premier 1 Filtration, we help keep fryers running at their best with clean oil, efficient filtration systems, and practical advice to keep everything flowing smoothly during peak periods.

Supporting Tradition Through Quality

Whether you're using our Merlin Maestro filtration machine, our high-quality filter pads and papers, or one of our refurbished systems, our goal is simple: to help you serve crisp, golden, great-tasting food with minimal waste and maximum efficiency.

So this Good Friday, as the queues build and the orders roll in, we’re proud to be behind the scenes, helping Britain’s favourite takeaway shine on its biggest day.

Wishing all our customers a smooth and successful Good Friday!