A fish and chips haven just off the banks of the Hackensack River might have closed late last year, but some of their dishes plus new twists on Scottish classics will be coming to The Heights in the form of a new restaurant.
Hudson County’s food scene suffered a significant loss last year when Argyle Restaurant in Kearny ended its run for good in December. Per hMag, the restaurant shuttered after almost 40 years in business and just a few months after co-owner John Nisbet passed away.
Argyle’s legacy will live on along John F. Kennedy Boulevard, as a business called The Hangry Haggis will be coming to the northern section of the road. While an exact address hasn’t been revealed, a former chef at Argyle Restaurant is behind the endeavor and has created several social media accounts announcing the move.
The Hangry Haggis will be starting small when they open with some of the Argyle’s well-known dishes that include their famous fish and chips, meat pie dinners, and fried shrimp. But an Instagram account at the handle @hangryhaggis shows that the restaurant has more in mind than just replicating success; a burger with a half beef, half haggis patty has been teased, as has a haggis poutine made up of homemade fries tossed in a gravy and cheese curds.
An item dubbed Highlander’s Balls consists of deep-fried haggis balls that are breaded in panko and pinwheel oatmeal has been previewed, as has a “tofush and chips” dish that consists of thinly-sliced tofu with yaki-nori flakes designed to replicate the flakiness of fish. The Hangry Haggis says that they’ll be stocking some British, Scottish, and Irish candies in addition to featuring Irn-Bru sodas, a Scottish carbonated drink that comes in a variety of flavors.
The Hangry Haggis is in the process of finalizing the details of their lease, acquiring equipment, and working out logistics. A more formal announcement that could include details about their exact location could come quickly, as the restaurant says they intend to open “very soon.”
Update: Since publication of this article, ownership behind The Hangry Haggis has clarified that their location at John F. Kennedy Boulevard is “looking doubtful and maybe unlikely now.” However, they are looking at other storefronts and appear committed to finding a space in The Heights.
In other news, Irn-Bru soda has one flavor, and we’re eagerly awaiting our samples 😉
