John’s of Braintree Fish and Chips is a classic local chippy on Queens Road, with a proper range of fish, chips, sides and family-friendly add-ons, plus clear collection hours and limited on-street parking nearby.

John’s of Braintree Fish and Chips sits in that sweet spot of what most people actually want from a fish and chip shop: familiar, straightforward, and built around food that feels like a proper treat at the end of the day. It’s listed as a traditional fish and chip shop in Braintree, and the vibe is very much about keeping things dependable rather than trying to reinvent anything. If you’re local, it’s the kind of place you can use as a regular go-to. If you’re visiting Braintree, it’s a nice, no-fuss way to grab something properly British without needing a reservation or a long sit-down.

One of the most useful things about John’s is how easy it is to plan your visit. The Where to Eat in Essex listing shows it open Monday to Saturday with the same split service pattern each day, 11:30am to 2:30pm and 4:30pm to 9:00pm, and closed on Sundays. That’s ideal if you want lunch without guessing, and it also keeps evening collections simple. On top of that, their online ordering site shows separate takeaway and home delivery windows, including lunchtime delivery specifically on Fridays and Saturdays. In other words, it’s set up for real-life routines rather than just “whenever you fancy”.

Food-wise, the menu leans into the classics, with fish being the obvious headline. On the online menu, fish options include medium cod and a cod special, which is described as a 4oz fillet of cod that comes with a small chips. There’s also haddock, rock or huss, and plaice listed, which is handy if you like to switch it up rather than ordering the same thing every time. If you’re ordering for the first time, the simplest way to get a feel for the place is to go for cod and chips, then decide on your “extras personality” afterwards: are you a mushy peas person, a curry sauce person, or someone who wants gravy every single time?

Chips are, of course, half the point of the whole thing, and the online shop includes a regular chips option. The best approach if you’re feeding more than one person is to think in “shared sides” rather than everyone ordering separately. A couple of mains plus one or two sides you can pass around usually lands better than trying to build four complete plates from scratch.

This is where John’s gets especially practical. The sides list includes all the usual chippy favourites, mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy, which makes it easy to build the exact kind of takeaway tea you’re craving. If you’re ordering for a family or a group and want to add a bit of variety, there are also sides like halloumi bites, battered mushrooms, onion rings, and a large spring roll. These are the sort of add-ons that make a takeaway feel more like a proper spread at home, especially if you’re putting everything in the middle of the table and letting people pick.

A simple “first order” that usually works well looks like one of these:

Classic route: medium cod, regular chips, mushy peas or curry sauce

Comfort route: fish plus chips, add gravy and onion rings

Family route: fish and chips for the adults, then a couple of snacky sides like halloumi bites and spring rolls for sharing

If fish isn’t your thing, or you’re ordering for someone who only wants “something easy”, John’s menu also branches out beyond the counter classics. Their online ordering categories include chicken, burgers, pies, kids meals and more, which is useful for mixed households. In the chicken section, items include quarter chicken, half chicken, chicken nuggets, and southern fried chicken strips. For burgers, there are beef options (including 4oz and 8oz), cheeseburgers, and a chicken burger with simple salad and sauce choices. This matters because it turns John’s into a “one place sorts everyone” option, rather than the classic chippy problem where one person wants fish and another wants anything but fish.

Dietary-wise, it’s important not to guess, but there are a couple of clear signals. Vegetarian options are present in the sides list, with items labelled as vegetarian such as halloumi bites, battered mushrooms, onion rings and spring rolls. Vegan options are not stated. Gluten-free options are partially indicated, with a “Gluten Free” category shown on the online menu navigation and a specific item called gluten free halloumi bites listed in the sides section. Full allergen information for the menu is not stated in the venue listing, so if you have allergies or need strict guarantees, the safest move is to check directly before ordering.

Location is another reason it works well as a local go-to. The address is listed as 18 Queens Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 5UA. It’s close enough to town-centre Braintree that it’s convenient for collection, but parking is something to be aware of. The listing says there’s no onsite parking, with limited on-street parking outside. In practice, that usually means it’s worth giving yourself a few extra minutes at peak times, especially on a Friday evening when everyone has the same idea at once.

For who it suits best, John’s is ideal for:

Anyone who wants a straightforward, traditional fish and chips tea without fuss

Families who need variety, thanks to chicken, burgers and sides alongside fish

Lunch-time collectors, with clear midday opening hours

People who like their chippy order “customisable”, because the sides cover all the main sauce loyalties

Practical details are nicely clear too. Payment methods listed include cash, credit or debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Toilets are not stated. Booking is not stated, which is normal for a chippy. Delivery is supported via their ordering site with listed delivery windows, including the note that lunchtime delivery only runs on Fridays and Saturdays.

Overall, John’s of Braintree Fish and Chips is a solid choice when you want the classic chippy experience with enough menu breadth to keep everyone happy. You can keep it traditional with cod, haddock or plaice, build it into a proper “tea at home” with mushy peas, curry sauce or gravy, or branch out into chicken and burgers if you’re ordering for a mixed group. Add in the clear opening times and simple payment options, and it’s an easy one to keep in rotation for Braintree takeaway nights.

Food Types: Takeaway/Delivery; Seafood Restaurant; Burger Bar

Dining Type: Takeaway; Delivery

Area: Braintree, Braintree