In 2009, when the owners had a vision of producing a chain of high quality fish and chips shops, the Max Box story unfolded. Our stores serve high quality products at affordable prices for every member of the family. To maintain quality and hygiene standards, routine store inspections are done regularly and remain a top priority.

Fish and Chips History

The MaxBox Fish and Chips concept is originally from the United Kingdom. It became a stock meal among the working classes in Great Britain as a consequence of the rapid development of trawl fishing (the net that is used) in the North Sea. It stays unclear when and where exactly these two trades became a joined entity, to then become the fish and chip shop industry we know today. The first recorded combined fish and chips shop in London was opened by Joseph Malin from 1860 to 1865.

Over the years it has become just as popular in Australia, UK, New Zealand, South Africa, Netherlands, Norway and increasingly so in the United States and elsewhere in the world.

Fish and chips is a deep fried fish in a batter served with deep fried chips on the side. In chip shops across the globe, chips spice, salt and vinegar is traditionally sprinkled over fish and chips before it is served, making it an even tastier dish.

Fish and chips have separately been consumed for many years, even though potato was not introduced to Europe until the very late 17th century. The authentic Sephardi recipe “Pescado Frito” also today known as “deep fried fish” came to England and Netherlands with the Portuguese and Spanish Jews in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In Britain, fried potatoes are called “fries” while the Americans call them “French fries”. The combination is still called fish and chips. The potato chip is an American invention. It is a different potato-derived food, and is known as crisps in the United Kingdom. In South Africa we tend to call slightly under fried chips – Slap Chips.

British chips (like at MaxBox) are usually thicker than American style French fries sold at fast food franchises, resulting in a lesser fat content per portion. In the comfort of their homes or in non-franchise restaurants, people in or from the USA may eat a thicker type of chip, more similar to the British alternative, sometimes referred to as “steak-fries“.

Fish and Chips shops by tradition used to wrap their product in a newspaper with an inner layer of grease proof paper. Hygiene and health precautions have almost diminished the use of newspaper for wrapping in today’s society, which has resulted in companies like the Royalty Free MaxBox Franchise to use newsprints and boxes.