Midlands chip shop becomes unlikely tourist destination after becoming a TikTok sensation

It’s one of the more unusual overnight TikTok sensations: a fish and chips shop in the Midlands.

Now staff at Binley Mega Chippy in Coventry are inundated with tourists pouring into the shop from as far afield as Portugal and Australia after a catchy music video was posted on TikTok.

Its owner Kamal Gandhi said he had ‘no idea’ why his store had seen record numbers of customers and has had to order almost double the amount of stock to keep up with demand.

The reason for the West Midlands chippy becoming world-famous in a matter of days remains unclear but seems to have been prompted by a catchy fan-made jingle.

Young people can now be seen outside the shop singing the theme tune as they wait in line to sample their £4.99 Morbius Meal of fish, chips and mushy peas.

The chippy started to gain the attention of millions when a TikTok food reviewer posted a slideshow of the UK’s best takeaways, naming Binley Mega Chippy first. Since then it has spawned numerous parody accounts, memes, comedy videos and has even featured on Harry Hill’s TV Burp.

Mr Gandhi said: ‘We had no idea what was going on. Since Thursday we have just been unbelievably busy.

‘We’ve had people from Australia, the USA and ten lads travelled down from Dundee on Monday just to try our chips.

‘You’d have to spend thousands of pounds for advertising and exposure like this, it’s been crazy.

‘It really has been unbelievable. We’ve had to order in about 30 or 40 per cent more stock just to try and keep up. We’ve taken an extra truck load of potatoes just this morning (Tue).

‘We don’t want anybody to be left out. We know it could fizzle out at any moment but we hope it continues. We just simply weren’t aware of these videos, we’re not on TikTok or Twitter and don’t advertise on social media.

‘We like to let our food do the talking but we just think somebody local made a video and it’s just exploded from there.

‘We’ve had people come for photos outside the shop even when it was closed.

‘I wondered why all these young people were taking pictures at first, we thought ‘why would they do that?’ We know the novelty might wear off but we’re prepared for a busy Bank Holiday weekend and would still urge people to come down.

‘We are doing our best and working our hardest to make sure everyone is happy and not waiting too long for food.

‘Our fish, chips and curry sauce seem the most popular but people are going mad for sausages too. 

‘I don’t know exactly how many customers we have served in the last few days – it has been impossible to count.

‘But it has been very good for business and we want to say thank you for all of the support.’

Fencer Josh Perks, 18, made an eight hour round trip from his home in Portsmouth with two pals after seeing the takeaway trending on TikTok.

He said: ‘We just thought it would be a laugh, we wanted to see what the fuss was about.

‘It was great fun, there was a bit of a party atmosphere going on. I don’t think the staff there can get their heads around what is really going on.’

Student Ben Bradley, 19, of Coventry, added: ‘I met a bloke who had come over from France. Who comes from France to Coventry? Some lads from Scotland came too.

‘It’s bonkers but the most British thing ever. It certainly shows the power of social media. It’s like a festival around here.

‘It has to be the most famous destination in Coventry right now and it’s just our local chip shop.’

Foodie influencer Mashtag Brady, 28, from Derby, said: ‘It was like travelling to Mecca, its like it has become a place of worship.

‘I saw loads of other famous TikToker influencers there as well, it’s the place to be at the minute, everybody just wants to be part of the moment.

‘There was even a guy outside offering free hair cuts, its become the place to promote other businesses too. It’s crazy.

‘But in reality the place is just a bang average chippy, but that’s what’s so funny about it.

‘I had battered sausage, chips and curry sauce with a can of coke and it came to about £6.50, so it was reasonably priced.

‘I was beginning to wonder if it was all a big prank as I hadn’t actually seen any videos of people eating there.

‘But when I got there, the queue was out of the door. It was rammed. They must be making a mint.

‘Some of the lads said they had travelled three hours on three buses to get there. People are coming from all over.’

Bartender Jennifer Braley, 21, travelled from Leicester with friends Daisy Connor, 21, and Ben Groombridge, 24, and enjoyed a cheeseburger with chips.

She said: ‘Our whole TikTok is just filled with these Binley Chippy videos so we thought we’ve got to check this place out.

‘You’d watch one video and scroll down and another would be there. We just love the theme song, it’s so funny.

‘It was like a festival atmosphere outside, people were singing and playing the videos, it was crazy.

‘It was actually a really fun experience and we’re glad we did it. I thought the food was really tasty too – I’d definitely come back.

‘But we went just to say that we have. It was a good laugh’