Barracuda is named the News' Chippy of the Year

Edinburgh Evening News Chippy of the year 2016 winners, Barracuda, Northfield Drive. Picture; Ian Georgeson

The family-run firm, in Northfield Drive, won the top accolade after a shortlist of the city’s ten tastiest takeaways was revealed in these pages earlier this year.

It fought off stiff competition as votes flooded in from chip-shop lovers via post and text message.

Today, overwhelmed staff thanked everyone who voted for them, and said it would take a while for the win to sink in.

Susan Marco, who owns the takeaway with her husband Tani, said hungry visitors travel from right across the Lothians for a fish supper.

Weeping with happiness, she said: “I don’t really know what to say, I’m in shock, I can’t believe it.

“To be recognised by the community like this is such an honour.

“Our customers are absolutely wonderful, they are so supportive and we see the same faces coming back time and time again.

“We are always busy and our shop has a great atmosphere.

“Our most popular dish has to be our fish suppers and we do all we can to keep getting better.

“We want to improve for our customers every time they come back.”

The Barracuda, which employs ten people, has been a popular takeaway since it opened in 2010.

However, just last year, a blazing fire ripped the shop apart.

Due to a fault, eight members of staff were forced to flee the building last September.

But despite its kitchen being badly damaged, the business has risen from the ashes, and custom has since continued to sore.

Susan said: “After the fire happened it was a difficult time for us.

“We were closed for around two months but we worked as hard as we could to get the place back to normal as soon as possible.

“We are such a tight knit community, and all of our customers helped us through it.

“We can’t thank them enough.”

Euan McGrory, deputy editor of the Edinburgh Evening News, presented Mr and Mrs Marco with their trophy.

He was joined by the shop’s most loyal customer, Ian Williams, who said a fish supper from the Barracuda was his “highlight of the week”.

The Duddingston Fry was awarded second place in the competition, while the Fourways Fish Bar in Kirkliston came third.

Christine Turnbull, who has been the owner of the Duddingston Fry for 24 years, said she was delighted to be named the runner-up.

She said: “I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to vote for us.

“This is a fantastic achievement.”

Mr McGrory said after handing over the trophy: “Our chip shop of the year competition has been hotly contested as ever and huge congratulations go to our winners.”