Then: 600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue. Penrose Fish and Chips opened in 1950. It is still run by the Johnstone family. This looks to be a picture from that era. Probably the only midtown fish and chip place that I know of.  I often come here for an order before going to my Goodlife gym a couple of blocks away; much to the chagrin of my family who — bless 'em — are somewhat concerned about my eating habits wiping out potential gains from exercise.  :)

Now: May 2011.

Question for the collective: Does anyone here have experience with fish and chips in the UK? The one time I went with my son, the shop on the Kilburn High Street in London left the skin on the fish. Is the way it's done in the UK? Fussy man, my son is. He carefully picked the skin away. No way I'm going to introduce him to canned sardines or anchovies.