Hamilton’s fish and chip shops prepare for fish frenzy on Good Friday

While many people are enjoying Good Friday as a holiday away from work or school, many fish and chip businesses find it as one of the busiest days of the year.

The kitchen manager of Hamilton’s Hutch’s on the Beach, Randy Creechan, told CHCH News that he’s been working since 5 a.m. and expects Friday to be a very busy day, especially with the warmer temperatures coming in later in the day.

“It starts to get busy out front at around 10 a.m., the lineup starts and then after that it’s just chaotic way through until 10 at night,” said Creechan. “Lineups go around the building and they weave some way for an hour — it just depends on who’s out there and what they want.”

Restaurants go through hundreds of pounds of fish to feed hungry customers in the fish frenzy on Good Friday ahead of Easter.

Creechan said last year Hutch’s went through 850 pounds of fish and 3,000 pounds of potatoes.

In a post on instagram, Hutch’s said its employees are “working very hard to prepare for one of the busiest days of the year.”

Residents that hope to enjoy some fish and chips need to be prepared to wait anywhere from an hour to two hours during the peak dinner rush.

Hutch’s on the Beach is offering dine-in only Friday, and there will be no orders taken online or over the phone so staff can focus on cranking out fish.

Hammerhead’s Seafood Kitchen and Market on Hamilton’s Ottawa St. North posted a photo taken last week of the English singer-songwriter Raye, ahead of Good Friday, reminding residents that it will also be take-out only Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. or until they run out.

Golden Fish and Chips on Upper Gage Avenue is also letting customers know that they are take-out only Friday and will be open for walk-in orders all day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Pack your patience if you’re headed to a restaurant and be sure to double-check the hours.

Hutch’s on the Beach opens at 11 a.m. and runs until 10 p.m.

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