Kewarra Fish 'N' Chips

Quality of life at the beach
Reviewed on: 2003-04-02
Reviewer's rating: 3

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I remember sitting on the beach watching the last rays of the sun cascade over the mountains, gently spraying a pink hue through the sky above the Coral Sea while the water lapped calmly at the sand. My dog would run around the beach picking up sticks, digging holes and pouncing on pipis as they repeatedly dug themselves beneath the sand, only to be wrenched from their security by every wave. As I casually picked at my fish and chips, my bum would wiggle into the sand and create a moulded bum platform, otherwise known as a sand seat.

I remember it well. It was yesterday at Kewarra Beach. The tradition of eating fish and chips on the beach is part of Cairns life that I enjoy so much. It offers a time and place to reflect on how lucky we are not to have bombs hurled at our houses and bridges like many other people around the world. The sound of the waves, the occasional bark from the dog, the laughter of the kids - this is true quality of life. Kewarra Beach is protected from the southeast swell and southeasterly breezes, making it one of the most comfortable on the entire Cairns Northern Beaches coastline.
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The experience is made even better when you tuck into fish and chips that are cooked to FNQ perfection. Kewarra Fish 'N' Chips does just this. This local shop serves genuine Spanish Mackerel, grilled, battered or crumbed, for just $3.50. No flounder or shark here folks, just the real article. The long fat chips, the way they used to be, coupled with little crispy slivers of chips are fantastic. Just a hint of salt is sprinkled over them.

But Kewarra Fish 'N' Chips offers more than just that. Gourmet burgers are another specialty. The Chicken and Camembert Burger, at $6.50, was my choice. It is a chicken breast seasoned and grilled with Cajun spice, camembert cheese, a hint of red current jelly, coleslaw and mayonnaise. The camembert is strong, but damn fine. Just don't be on a diet when eating this burger. Choose the Tropo Beef burger instead, and you'll get a gourmet patty, cheese, pineapple, coleslaw, mayonnaise and sweet chilli sauce.

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The fish and chips are wrapped up in large sheets of unbleached paper. They don't use newspaper anymore because the print sometimes rubbed off onto the fish. It was never a health risk - it just wasn't appetising to have John Howard's face printed on your mackerel.

Come down to Kewarra and delight in a true fish and chips experience. Kewarra Fish 'N' Chips home delivers from Trinity Beach to Palm Cove on Thursday to Sunday. A minimum order of $20 applies.

- Diner Diller