Bilbo’s

I think the best part about Bilbo’s is that they are reliably open late at night and on public holidays and even when you think they won’t be. Late night munchies? On your way home drunk from town? They have fish and chips, burgers and Chinese food to take away and devour at your own ravenous leisure. There’s also a pinball machine if you can’t possibly handle the reasonable wait for your greasy goods. I go here so often that they know me, and also let me hold their baby. Great place to be a regular!

I grew up just off Dominion Road so as a child Bilbo’s was our local fish and chippie.
I’ve no idea how many times I have visited Bilbo’s over the years, but it’s never let me down!
Charging the usual prices and serving the usual food for an Auckland fish and chip shop — fish, hotdogs, potato fritters, nuggets and chips, as well as a range of Chinese food, Bilbo’s could be just another takeaway store, except it’s not. What sets it apart as a complete winner in my book is its opening hours.
Bilbo’s is one of the only takeaway stores in Mt Eden that is open late. Really late. Bilbo’s is where you head at the end of your night out. My friends and I used to taxi straight to Bilbo’s from our after-​balls and big nights in town, grab some hot chips and nuggets and eat them on the walk home. Classic.
The staff are pretty friendly at ol Bilbo’s too — I imagine by being open so late they see their fair share of craziness, yet they manage to keep a smile on their face and provide very fast service.
Good food, fast food, friendly staff, opne late = two thumbs up from me!

I got a pretty big shock the first time I saw Bilbo’s open in the day time. I’d been there multiple times, as it used to be the only place for miles that was open late. Now, with the balmoral strip opening up as Auckland’s première late night /​early morning food destination, I usually skip past Bilbo’s on the way to get something a bit spicier. However, Bilbo’s still provides a service that goes unremarked, but is essential to so many of those who choose to indulge. They are open till something like 5 am on weekends, constantly serving up feeds, some of which are less desirable then others. They do good chips, some interesting burgers and the usual variety of deep fried foods. They also have a pinball machine cranking to give you something to do to while waiting.

Proper fish and chips, the way you remember from your childhood. Nutritional value? No idea. Doesn’t matter. Salt and fat and delicious crispy fried bits? Yes. Plenty. But I mean that in a good way, because really, what has nutrition got to do with fish and chips? Nothing. It’s all about the deliciousness-​to-​price ratio, and Bilbo’s has that down.
The best thing: they seem to be open all night, or at least enough of the night that they’re always open when I want something to soak up the alcohol on the way home. Also there’s pinball, although I’ve never actually played it. But as someone who grew up with every takeaway having a Street Fighter II cabinet outside, I like seeing games and greasy food together.