The popular spot has changed over the years, but has always kept its rustic charm
Meet the team behind a family-run fish and chip shop in Co Antrim that has been creating a “home from home” for customers for the past 28 years.
The Captain’s Table on the busy Carnmoney Road in Glengormley is at the heart of the area, and has built up a dedicated customer base since opening back in 1997. As soon as you walk into the much-loved shop, you’re immediately taken back in time, with the charm evident from the trinkets lining the walls to the old fashioned booth seating making up the sit-in area.
Keeping its rustic charm while evolving its menu over the years based on customer requests, the chippy now offers an extensive menu. As well as featuring all the fish and chip classics, there are also plenty of items you might not expect to find here, including spice bags, cake pots, and burritos.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, owner Hilary Braniff looked back on what she has loved about serving the area for the past 28 years, and what makes The Captain’s Table special.
She said: “The whole heart of The Captain’s Table is to make people feel that they’re welcome, to be a home from home. We have people who come in who used to come in in their school uniforms, and now come in in their work clothes, or with children of their own.
“You realise then you actually have been here for a long time. Whenever we bought this place, I have four boys, and my children were wee tiny totes, and now two of them work with us.”
Looking on how the chippy has changed over the years while keeping its uniqueness, Hilary said: “I think it’s tricky when you’re up against so many big multinational companies. 28 years ago we only really served the likes of fish and chips and burgers.
“But over time we’ve expanded our menu to cover pizzas, kebabs, we have a Chinese section even on the menu. I think it’s important to move with the times.
“Over the years, although the core of the shop has always stayed the same, it has changed in a lot of ways, different ordering platforms, even the customers have changed a bit too. But we always try to keep the core the same.”
As for what makes The Captain’s Table special, staff member Charli Wilson, Hilary’s daughter-in-law who has worked there for the past five years, said it’s a mix of good food and how the place makes customers feel.
She said: “I think this place is special because it’s a family-run business, so people feel comfortable coming here.
“It’s local for a lot of people, so it’s a bit of a home away from home and when you come in everyone’s friendly, and they know the owners and they try their best to see everybody, and make conversation, and that’s very important for everyone who comes in.”
Hilary added: “If you tried to recreate this, you actually couldn’t. It’s taken us all these years to build up and add on these wee bits.
“When customers come back from holiday, they’ll bring us in wee things that say ‘captain’s table’ on them and I think that all adds to the personality of the place, so hopefully that’ll keep going.”
Video by Belfast Live videographer Harry Bateman.
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