closest from were im at is 2+ hours, Pismo beach is the closest! i think
That is some serious chippy dedication. There's a chippy pretty much within a few minutes of every housing estate or res area. Probably not a good thing though.
Oh yeah! Some places do it up proper, but I'm not sure how it compares to yours over there...
I've seen some quality places offer various types of fish as fish n chips too, although I'm sure there is a purist way & traditional fish used. The mahi mahi fish n chips I've had have been nice but I haven't had em in prob a decade almost.
A real good chippy over here has cod or haddock, some offer plaice( always fillet, never whole fish). All battered, always have pies, sausages, and the standard chippy gravy and curry sauce.
When in Aus a good few years ago, I had a chippy tea, and there they are like actual small fish whole, dipped in batter. I was perplexed to say the least.
The gravy was shit though.