The sign for London Fish & Chips' Modesto location. The Fresno location at 4434 W. Shaw Ave. opens Tuesday, Sept. 1. Facebook photo

A new fish and chips restaurant opens in Fresno this week, and it’s the latest expansion for a Valley restaurateur who also owns one of Chowchilla’s best-known steakhouses.

London Fish & Chips opens Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 4434 W. Shaw Ave., near Costco. It’s the second location for the London Fish & Chips chain, which owner Goldy Aulakh launched in Modesto in 2009.

A name with Valley roots

Aulakh is also the owner of Farnesi’s Steakhouse in Chowchilla, which he took over around 2024. It’s a different restaurant from the original Farnesi’s Restaurant and Lounge in Madera, which closed in May 2019 after 55 years.

Farnesi’s Steakhouse sits off Highway 99 at 230 E. Robertson Blvd. in Chowchilla. Annette and Matthew Zimmer owned and operated the restaurant for 25 years before Matthew died in 2024. It’s open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Why Fresno, why now

Aulakh said he wanted to bring a fish and chips concept to Fresno because it stands apart from most fast-food options, and because customers had been asking for one.

“We have a lot of customers that travel throughout the Valley and a lot of customers out of Fresno and Selma that drive a few times a month through Modesto,” Aulakh said. “I finally made the decision to open up in Fresno and we saw a space available.”

Soft opening first

The Fresno location will run a soft opening with about 10 employees, including some staff from the Modesto restaurant helping train the new team. A grand opening will follow once employees are fully trained.

Aulakh said the response during construction has already been strong.

“People are showing us that Fresno is going to be a great market and we are looking forward to serve this community. I’m sure we will get a lot of love and support from Fresno citizens,” Aulakh said.

Rising costs, steady prices

Like many restaurants, Aulakh said food costs have been volatile in recent years, changing from month to month. He said fish shortages have pushed prices higher, but the restaurant can’t raise its menu prices every month to match.

London Fish & Chips will be open seven days a week: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

“We are going to need Fresno’s support and love,” Aulakh said. “We’ve been doing a great job in Modesto for the last 17 years and all our food is made fresh from scratch and made to order. We make our food right in front of our customers and fresh for them.”