Dec
2012
Aggy’s Shack (Queenstown, New Zealand)
Cnr Marine Parade and Church Street
Queenstown, New Zealand
+64 3 4224076
After we were told that our scheduled skydive had been cancelled, we ended up booking a Shotover jet-boating session at Shotover River at the spur of the moment. After many twists, turns and sharp corners, our appetites were rightfully worked up and so we decided to grab some fish and chips (when in New Zealand, right…?).
I had heard about Aggy’s Shack on Lorraine’s blog. Having read about her experience with the South Island’s native mutton bird (or as Maoris say, titi bird), a local delicacy, I decided that I had to give it a go. Located right by Lake Wakatipu, the shack is a long jump away from Queenstown’s busier tourist-y streets. During the day, old chap Aggy looks after the kiosk, doing everything from cooking to serving the steady stream of patrons that come and go, occasionally sitting down on the few plastic tables dotted outside the kiosk. Traditional fish and chip staples such as beer-battered fish and scallops exist alongside more unusual offerings like sea urchin and roasted mutton bird.
You can order a whole mutton bird but we decided to grab half a bird instead; it came with chips and sauce for NZD$15 (AUD$11.90).
The first thing we noticed about the bird was that it was fatty. Extremely fatty. This was because these birds need to pad on the fat to survive the harsh and cold Southern Atlantic conditions. We also noticed that the flesh tasted very fishy – in fact, more fishy than well, any poultry I’ve ever had. The flesh actually didn’t taste as nasty as it looks but it’s not something I’d be rushing to order any time soon. We just couldn’t get past all the fat and the ghastly cod liver oil aftertaste that lingered down our throats for the rest of the day.
We also shared 14 green lipped mussels (NZD $12 (AUD $9.52)). They were steamed and served with some rather orange lemons and sweet chilli sauce. Easily the best mussels I’ve ever had – they were so ridiculously fresh and so sweet. I was in Dave Dobbyn’s heaven.
I swear, my boyfriend is so embarrassing sometimes *face palm*
Despite not being endeared to the mutton bird, I did enjoy my meal at Aggy’s. The food was super fresh and I thought the mussels were out of this world. If I lived in Queenstown, I can definitely see myself popping in for some chips and a piece of fish – preferably one that hasn’t been burped up by a mutton bird.
theragingcook
December 18, 2012 at 18:09 (155 days ago)That’s a very D’ thing to do, order Fesh and Cheps and laugh inside when the Auckland waitress repeats my order bahahaha
libishski
December 18, 2012 at 18:23 (155 days ago)Haha Kiwi fush and chups > better than Aussie fush and chups, I have to give them that!
Martypantz
December 18, 2012 at 21:25 (155 days ago)Show us ya titi birds.
libishski
December 21, 2012 at 17:39 (152 days ago)Piss off.
Martypantz
January 5, 2013 at 19:53 (137 days ago)YOU piss off, MAAAATE!
Ames
December 18, 2012 at 21:13 (155 days ago)whoa those mussels…. *drool*
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
December 18, 2012 at 23:48 (155 days ago)I’m so glad that you tried the mutton bird at Aggy’s! Like you, I wouldn’t be rushing to try it again but I’m so glad that I tried it
Neeno
December 19, 2012 at 07:51 (154 days ago)OMG at your bf’s mussel. omg. facepalm indeed hhahaha.
Daisy@Nevertoosweet
December 19, 2012 at 08:02 (154 days ago)LOL The mussel PIC Hahahah Marty is super funny!!!
Oh wow…a fish tasting poultry? I’m not sure that I would be too eager to try ~ but I might still try once when I ever make it to Aggy
Hannah
December 19, 2012 at 10:40 (154 days ago)Well, you’re the one who chose to post the photo
libishski
December 21, 2012 at 17:38 (152 days ago)Haha true, true…
The Squishy Monster
December 19, 2012 at 12:36 (154 days ago)Your bf is hilarious…I always thought so about mussels too…lol
Ming @ sweetandsourfork
December 20, 2012 at 20:38 (153 days ago)Really? That last picture, REALLY? I feel dirty saying that those mussels look delicious now.
Well, you win some you lose some I suppose (though I think I’d call this one a win)
Adrian Briones (@food_rehab)
December 20, 2012 at 22:42 (153 days ago)Daaat a biiig bird! And so are those mussels. What a feast
John and Andrea (@InspirngTrvlrs)
December 21, 2012 at 04:44 (153 days ago)Queenstown is such a great foodie place – this looks like another interesting find!
libishski
December 21, 2012 at 17:38 (152 days ago)It certainly was! Thanks for stopping by
threehanns78
January 1, 2013 at 21:01 (141 days ago)the mutton bird and chups does look really good, would go well with a apple cider or just even appletiser.
mussels either greenlip or black are always good aslong as theres no hairs
libishski
January 4, 2013 at 14:54 (138 days ago)Mussels and cider… mmmm, now you’re talkin’!