Len Duckworth's Fish & Chips is considered by many to be the best fried fish in Toronto.

This restaurant is one of three businesses in Ontario to bear the Duckworth name. The other two — located on Kingston Road in Scarborough and Orillia, respectively — are owned by members of the Duckworth family, but are otherwise unaffiliated with the Danforth location.

Though the sign above the door claims that the restaurant was established in 1930, the shop was actually founded a year earlier, in 1929.

Co-owners Dave and Deborah Duckworth are the grandchildren of the store's founders, Jack and Edith, and the children of its namesake, Len.

Their team is a close-knit group, consisting of their friends, families and many long-standing employees.One such employee, Darlene, tells us that things haven't changed much in the decades since Len ran the shop.

A collection of photos scattered throughout the dining area lends credence to her words: one picture shows Danforth Avenue in 1937, looking very much like it does in the present day. Another photo shows Len Duckworth on his motorcycle outside the store. Dave explains that this was a common sight during his tenure.

Other decorations include photos of local sports stars, wooden signs featuring slogans such as "Eat Fish, Live Longer" and mounted fish in all shapes and sizes.Overall, the restaurant's atmosphere is quiet, but comfortable. The staff was warm and welcoming, greeting many visitors by name, and the customers were just as friendly.

During our visit, we watched one of the servers inform an elderly patron that the diners at the table across from her had paid for her meal. The look on her face said it all.

Len Duckworth's menu is displayed on a pair of hanging chalkboards above the main counter.

Fried food makes up the majority of the restaurant's offerings, though slices of pie and baskets of fresh bread are also available.Premium Halibut and Chips ($17.50) is Duckworth's signature dish. Each piece of fish comes out of the deep fryer coated in a light, crispy batter. The fries are equally crispy and cut into thick strips.Poutine ($6/small, $10/large) combines these chunky chips with thick gravy and squeaky cheese curds, creating a messy but flavourful meal.The Seafood Platter ($26.50) is a sampler of all the seafood the restaurant has to offer. Halibut, shrimp and scallops are served side by side with coleslaw, chips and cocktail sauce.

The thing I liked most about this meal was that it was big enough to share with multiple people. Not only was there a lot of food to go around, each piece was quite filling.

In particular, the shrimp were larger and juicier than I expected, with a sweet aftertaste and a satisfying crunch.With nearly a hundred years of history behind it, it's safe to say that this fish and chips shop will remain a fixture of the neighborhood for decades to come.Len Duckworth's Fish & Chips is located at 2638 Danforth Avenue.