There are some meals you forget the moment you leave the table, and then there are the ones that quietly take up permanent residence in your memory.
This is the kind of place that looks simple on the outside but absolutely delivers once you step through the door.
I ordered, found a seat, and waited maybe five minutes before a tray of golden, perfectly crisped fish and chips landed in front of me.
The smell alone was enough to make me forget whatever else I had planned that afternoon.
That first bite had a satisfying crunch that gave way to tender, flaky fish, and I remember just sitting there for a second, genuinely surprised.
It was the kind of food that makes you text someone immediately just to tell them about it.
If you have not been to The Chippery Union yet, this article is your sign to go.
The First Impression: Walking Into The Chippery Union
Pulling into the plaza lot off US-22, you might almost miss it. The Chippery Union does not shout for attention with flashy signs or elaborate decor.
It sits quietly in its spot, and that understated confidence is actually the first clue that something good is happening inside.
Walking through the door, the smell hits you immediately. It is warm, savory, and faintly golden, like something frying at exactly the right temperature.
The space is compact and clean, with seating available so you can enjoy your food right there without rushing back to your car.
The staff greets you the moment you step in. Not in a scripted, rehearsed way, but in the kind of casual, genuine way that makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit.
Reviewers consistently mention how friendly and helpful the team is, with one customer calling out a staff member named Natalie specifically for being exceptional.
The menu is posted clearly, and if you have questions, someone is always ready to walk you through the options. For a spot tucked along a busy highway, the atmosphere feels surprisingly personal.
It is the kind of place that feels like a neighborhood secret, even though it sits right on one of New Jersey’s most traveled roads.
The Star of the Show: Fish and Chips Done Right
Some restaurants put fish and chips on the menu as an afterthought. At The Chippery Union, it is clearly the main event.
The batter is light and airy, crisping up without turning greasy, which is a balance that is genuinely hard to nail consistently.
The fish itself is flaky and tender inside, with that satisfying crunch on the outside that makes every bite feel rewarding. Cod is available on the menu, and while it comes with a small upcharge, most people who try it agree it is worth every cent.
One reviewer drove forty minutes just to try the double fish and chips and left completely satisfied.
What also stands out is the style of the chips. Instead of the standard thin American fries, The Chippery serves round-cut chips that carry seasoning well and add a nice textural contrast to the fish.
One customer called them a refreshing change of pace, giving the whole plate an A-plus rating.
The portions are generous enough that even the single serving leaves most people full. The food arrives hot and fresh, with several reviewers noting that even takeout orders held their texture and did not turn soggy by the time they got home.
That kind of quality consistency is rare and worth celebrating.
The Ocentastic and Overboard: When You Want Everything
If you are the kind of person who cannot decide between seafood options, The Chippery Union has already solved that problem for you. Menu items like the Ocentastic and the Overboard are built for people who want a proper seafood experience without having to pick just one thing.
The Overboard, for example, comes loaded with fried lobster tail, shrimp, fish, and chips. It is a generous, celebratory plate that feels like a treat even on a regular Tuesday.
One reviewer ordered it alongside homemade lemonade and multiple sauces and described the whole experience as genuinely memorable.
The Ocentastic is another crowd favorite, especially when you add fried lobster tails. One couple who visited on a weeknight called it an absolute gem of a find and raved about how perfectly crispy everything was, specifically noting the absence of greasiness.
That detail matters more than people realize.
These combo-style dishes are where The Chippery really shows off its range. The kitchen is not just frying things and hoping for the best.
There is clear attention to temperature, timing, and seasoning in every element on the plate. Whether you are sharing with someone or going all in solo, these menu items are a strong reason to visit and an even stronger reason to come back.
Shrimpnation: A Plate That Earns Its Name
There is something almost theatrical about a dish that earns its name. The Shrimpnation at The Chippery Union is exactly that kind of plate.
It is not shy, and it does not pretend to be a small snack. It arrives as a full commitment to shrimp done well.
One reviewer described the seasoning as calculated to perfection, which is a phrase that sticks with you. Good seasoning is not about being heavy-handed.
It is about knowing exactly how much to add so that the natural flavor of the shrimp still comes through, just elevated. The Chippery clearly understands that balance.
Another customer mentioned ordering the Shrimpnation and being told by a staff member to try it specifically. That kind of confident recommendation from someone who knows the menu well adds to the whole experience.
You are not just ordering food. You are getting a little guidance from people who genuinely believe in what they are serving.
A separate reviewer called it life-changing, which sounds dramatic until you actually try it. Fresh shrimp, cooked right, with seasoning that hits every note without overwhelming the palate.
Paired with one of the house sauces, it becomes a plate that is hard to stop thinking about. That is the kind of dish that turns a first visit into a habit.
Fish Tacos and Shrimp Tacos: A Surprising Menu Twist
Not every fish and chips spot ventures into taco territory, but The Chippery Union does, and the results have made believers out of plenty of skeptical first-timers. The fish tacos in particular have developed a loyal following among regulars who return specifically to order them.
One reviewer called the fish tacos the best they had ever had, full stop. That is a bold claim, but when multiple people echo the same sentiment across different visits, it starts to feel less like hype and more like fact.
The tacos are built with the same quality ingredients that define the rest of the menu.
The shrimp tacos are equally well-regarded, though they come with a fair warning that the sauce carries a real kick of heat. That spice is not accidental.
It adds a layer of complexity that makes the taco feel complete rather than flat. One customer said they would absolutely come back just for the shrimp tacos.
What makes these items work is that they are not trying to be something the restaurant is not. The tacos feel like a natural extension of the seafood-forward menu rather than a detour.
The same attention to freshness and frying technique that goes into the fish and chips shows up here too. It is a smart, confident menu addition that gives repeat visitors a new reason to explore.
The Sauces: Small Details That Make a Big Difference
Good fried seafood deserves a great sauce to go with it. At The Chippery Union, the sauce selection is thoughtful and varied enough to keep things interesting across multiple visits.
Chipotle, tartar, cilantro lime, and honey mustard are all available, and each one brings something different to the table.
One reviewer who had tried both the chipotle and the cilantro lime described them as awesome, noting that they complemented the food without overpowering it. That kind of restraint in sauce-making is actually harder to achieve than it sounds.
The goal is always to enhance the main dish, not compete with it.
Another customer mentioned ordering four different sauces in a single visit, which speaks to how genuinely enjoyable the variety is. When you have fried lobster, shrimp, and fish all on the same tray, having multiple sauce options lets you customize each bite in a way that keeps the meal from feeling repetitive.
The house tartar sauce also gets quiet but consistent praise. It is the kind of classic accompaniment that can make or break a fish and chips experience, and The Chippery clearly takes it seriously.
Small details like this are what separate a good meal from a memorable one. The sauces at The Chippery are not an afterthought.
They are part of what makes the whole experience click together so satisfyingly.
Homemade Coleslaw and Lemonade: The Unsung Heroes
Every great meal has its quiet supporting cast, and at The Chippery Union, the homemade coleslaw and fresh lemonade play that role with real distinction. They are not the headline items on the menu, but they are the kind of details that customers keep bringing up unprompted.
The coleslaw gets specific praise for its balance. One reviewer appreciated that it was not drowning in mayo, which is a common coleslaw pitfall.
It is light, fresh, and works perfectly alongside the richness of fried seafood. Another customer simply called it the bomb, which is about as clear an endorsement as you can get.
The lemonade is mentioned in review after review as a standout. One person said it was just what they needed to accompany the food.
Another called it top notch. For a house-made lemonade to earn that kind of consistent praise, it has to be genuinely good, not just a sweet syrup poured over ice.
Together, these two items frame the meal in a way that feels complete. The coleslaw cuts through the richness of the fried food, and the lemonade refreshes the palate between bites.
They are the kind of menu additions that show a kitchen thinking about the full dining experience rather than just the headline dishes. Details like these are what make people drive twenty or thirty minutes and call it completely worth it.
Fried Desserts: The Sweet Finish You Did Not See Coming
By the time you finish your fish and chips, calamari, and coleslaw, you might think you are done. Then you spot the dessert options, and suddenly you find a little extra room.
The Chippery Union offers fried Twinkies and fried Twix bars, and they are as fun and satisfying as they sound.
One reviewer who ordered both described them as uniquely enjoyable and praised the creativity they brought to the overall experience. Fried desserts are not something you encounter everywhere, and when they are done well, they feel like a genuine bonus rather than a gimmick.
The concept of frying a Twinkie or a Twix is not new, but execution is everything. When the batter is right and the temperature is controlled, the result is a warm, crispy exterior with a melty, sweet center that feels indulgent in the best possible way.
It is the kind of dessert that makes you smile even before you take a bite.
For a restaurant that is primarily known for its seafood, offering fried desserts shows a playful confidence in the kitchen. It tells you that the people running this place enjoy what they do and are not afraid to have a little fun with the menu.
Ending your meal with a fried Twix is an experience that is genuinely hard to forget, and honestly, that is the whole point of a place like The Chippery Union.
Why People Keep Driving Back to The Chippery Union
People have driven from Fort Dix, from forty minutes away, and from towns across New Jersey to eat at The Chippery Union. That kind of voluntary commute for a casual meal says everything about what this place has figured out.
Good food, friendly service, and a clean, welcoming space are not complicated ingredients. They are just hard to consistently deliver.
The Chippery does it consistently. With a 4.4-star rating across over 600 reviews, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive and remarkably specific.
People are not just saying the food was good. They are describing the crunch of the batter, the freshness of the shrimp, the texture of the chips, and the warmth of the staff by name.
One customer who had been driving past on US-22 for years without stopping finally pulled in and called it a hidden gem. Another said it reminded them of a proper chippy in England.
Those are not small compliments. They reflect a restaurant that has earned real loyalty from people with real expectations.
The Chippery Union is open seven days a week from 11 AM, with hours running until 10 or 11 PM depending on the day. It is accessible, affordable, and genuinely worth the trip no matter where you are coming from.
If you are in New Jersey and you have not been yet, you now have no excuse.
Address: 2698 US-22, Union, NJ.
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