It seems like if there is anything good coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the fact that we seem to have been a little more motivated to try out F&B establishments that are pretty much fixtures in the neighbourhoods that they are at — established names that have been around for decades that not only serves the food items on their menu, but a slice of heritage and memory for those that goes through its doors; something which also inspired our recent visit to Steeple’s Deli.

Have heard about Charlie’s Corner for quite a while, and their rendition of the fish & chips is probably one that they seem to be very proud of. Being on the menu since their establishment in 1979, the Charlie’s Famous Fish & Chips still seem like a dish with a recipe that is very much relevant even to this day — something that not all establishments can pull off for an extended period of time. Much of the appeal for the fish & chips here lies in the batter; the fish itself is pretty flaky, and considerably void of a muddy odour, but I absolutely like how thin the batter was with this one — nothing too thick with pockets of air trapped within. Instead, the batter sticks closely to the fish encased within; all that without disintegrating as separate elements which makes it pretty neat to have. Even the fries are delicious here; still retains its crispness despite being left there for a while. Liked how they also provide more than just the garden greens on the side (which was a tad too bitter for my liking despite the drizzling of Goma dressing for flavour), but also a grilled tomato and corn that provides a refreshing zing and slight sweetness that cuts through the heaviness of the fried items.

Needless to say, Charlie’s Corner seem to be a spot where a lot of memories are held for some — overheard some conversation from another table reminiscing the good times they have had here over the years while having pints of beer at their table (because they were that loud; not that we wanted to hear 😅). That being said, there is something about the rustic charm of Changi Village that makes Charlie’s Corner a pretty unique spot with a heritage here ...