I'd heard about this place from a friend, but never been in the area. Well, today I treated myself to lunch there. This is a little gem of a traditional fish and ship shop in a "time warp" of a small strip shopping centre which is off the busy South Road in Braybrook, separated from it by a traffic island. It has its own little car park and a variety of shops to visit.

Merdmaids is so clean and sparking - pure white and grey floors and laminex panel counter. A smiling Asian lady gave me prompt and courteous service - asked about how much salt and if I needed anything else.

There's a great variety of good old fashioned fish and chip shop favourites to be had. Burgers - $4.90 for a regular and $6.80 for the lot. Family packs of fish dinners - 4 flakes, dim sims, potato cakes and chips plus a large drink for just over $30. Special kids packs of half flake, chips and two potato cakes for $5.50.

They are closed Tuesdays but open from Monday to Friday 10.30 to 8.30 pm and on weekends, 11.00 to 8.00.

The chips were crisp and fresh at $3.80 for minimum - served in a large white box and the flake at $4.90 was just sensational. A large piece, with that "dry" batter - crunchy and just enough of a patina of fresh oil to cover the juicy fish inside.

It's really hard to drive and juggle steaming hot fish and chips in bite sized pieces, but I managed it. LOL

If you are over this way, do yourself a favour and drop in.

Approximate cost: $ 8 - 10