Fish Fry Facts
I wish fish fries happened all year long, but especially in the winter. The first quarter of the year is the toughest, and it helps to take the edge off a trying week when you can end it with a Friday evening of friendly communal dining in someone’s church basement or school cafeteria.
One of the most comforting things about this sort of comfort food is how predictable it is — you can count on basic batter-dipped fried fish and french fries wherever you go. But when satisfying a family-worth of different appetites, it helps to know where you can get some alternate selections. Here’s the skinny.
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BLESSED SACRAMENT, 3381 Fulton Road, corner of Trowbridge.
HOW TO FIND THE FRY: Go to the basement of the church, not the school. Entrance at rear of parking lot.
STANDARD FARE: Fish, pierogie or combo dinners include roll, coleslaw or applesauce, french fries and dessert.
WHAT’S SPECIAL: Weekly specials: Salmon patty entree (3/7, 3/28 and 4/18); grilled shrimp over rice (3/14 & 4/4), and tuna pie (3/21 & 4/11). Take out available: call 216-749-2046.
WHEN: 4-6:30 pm, Fridays from 3/7 - 4/18
COST: Adults $6, children $4.50
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ST. BONIFACE, 3545 W. 54th St., north of Denison
HOW TO FIND THE FRY: Go to the school building, entrance on W. 52 or W. 54th off the parking lot
STANDARD FARE: Fried fish, baked fish and jumbo shrimp dinners include choice of baked potato, french fries, pierogi or potato pancakes, plus coleslaw or applesauce, bread, coffee and sherbet.
WHAT’S SPECIAL: You can also buy side dishes priced individually, so that you don’t have to pay for a $6 meal when all your toddler wanted was a 75¢ potato pancake.
WHEN: 4-6:30 pm, Ash Wednesday 3/5 and every Friday from 3/7-4/18
COST: Dinners from $5.50-$6.50, sides are 75¢-$2.
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ST. PROCOPS, 3181 W. 41 St., south of Clark
HOW TO FIND THE FRY: Enter the parking lot off Newark Ave. and go the the basement of the church.
STANDARD FARE: Baked or fried fish with coleslaw, roll, dessert and beverage, plus your choice of au gratin potatoes, pierogies, or cabbage and noodles. Also, an all-pierogie meal.
WHAT’S SPECIAL: This is the fish fry for those who are fond of games of chance: there’s a raffle, Chinese auction and instant bingo. The cabbage and noodles are also very good.
WHEN: 4:30-7 pm, Fridays 3/7-4/11.
COST: Adults $7, Seniors $6, Kids under 5 $3, All-pierogie $6
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ST. STEPHEN, 1910 W. 54 St., south of Bridge
HOW TO FIND THE FRY: Go to the basement of the Michael Building, at the back of the parking lot near West 57th.
STANDARD FARE: 1- or 2-piece baked or fried fish , 4- or 8-piece fried shrimp, or combo dinners. Includes roll and dessert, coleslaw or applesauce plus your choice of pierogies, fries or mac & cheese.
WHAT’S SPECIAL: The homemade pierogies are delicious. Easiest menu to customize according to the size of your appetite. Extra sides and beverages priced separately.
WHEN: 4 - 7 pm, Ash Wednesday 3/5 and Fridays 3/7-4/18.
COST: Adults $5-$7.50, Seniors get $1 off all dinners.