Top 12 Lenten fish fry spots to try in metro Detroit
Come Friday, fryers across metro Detroit will fire up, fish will be battered and fried (or baked), and plenty of cabbage will be shredded for coleslaw.
Welcome to the Lenten fish fry season.
Lent, a 40-day season of prayer and fasting leading up to Easter, began Wednesday. It's a time when many faithful abstain from eating meat on Fridays. And many local parishes, schools and fraternal organizations are geared up for the traditional Friday fish fries.
Friends Christine and Kirk Sewell and Mary and Richard Nadolski began metro Detroit's fish fry season Wednesday with Our Lady of the Scapular's baked fish dinner event. The fish dinner, a breaded and baked cod, kicks off the Wyandotte parish's annual Friday fish fries. (Ash Wednesday is the only day the baked fish is served.)
"We are fish fry regulars," Christine Sewell, of Southgate, said. "I am glad to be back for in-person dining and meeting up with people."
The Sewells said they alternate fish fry Fridays between the Wyandotte parish's fish fry and the one at the nearby Wyandotte Knights of Columbus.
Mary Nadolski, of Wyandotte, agreed, saying she is happy to be back for in-person dining.
"Coming here, it's like a mini-class reunion," she said. "It's a wonderful community and always a big thing Downriver to go to a fish fry."
The decades-long tradition puts fish in the spotlight during Lent and has reeled in restaurants, too.
More:Ash Wednesday: How McDonald's Filet-O-Fish, a Lent staple, was created
More:Arby's $5 fish sandwich combo joins seafood offers from Popeyes, Wendy's in time for Lent
Royal Oak First United Methodist Church's fish fry is now in its 27th year. Taking place every other Friday, the event will be held March 10 and March 24. This year marks the first sit-down fish dinner at the parish in three years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
St. Francis D'Assisi-St. Hedwig Parish in southwest Detroit is also back this year with its fish fry. Last year, the parish's church hall kitchen and equipment were devastated by a flood.
Sadly, some popular fish fries are canceled this year including the one from St. Veronica's Church Men's Club in Eastpointe. The church cited rising costs and a lack of volunteer workers as the reasons behind its decision, according to its website.
A fish fry expert
If you want to know a thing or two about what to expect at some metro Detroit fish fries, you can check out Mitch's Friday Fish Fry Review page on Facebook.
The reviews are from Mitch Koleczko, 50, of St. Clair Shores. Koleczko, an elementary school teacher, is back for his ninth Lenten season of visiting area fish fries and writing about the experiences.
He doesn't review fish fries as good or bad, rather he provides details about the fish fry and what to expect.
"Basically, I am a tour guide with these (fish fries)," Koleczko said. "I am just letting you know when you get there what door you are walking in, how you're ordering, how you're paying, where you are picking up your food from, where you are sitting, are beverages available, was there a salad bar. "
Koleczko, who said he does the posts for a fun hobby, noted that the Detroit Catholic online publication will be posting his weekly videos and reviews. Each week, Koleczko will generate a list of potential fish fries and look them up online. On Thursday, he will post a video naming the place and a review will follow either Friday or Saturday after the visit. You can also find previous reviews and posting of other fish fries on Mitch's Friday Fish Fry Review on Facebook.
What to expect at some area fish fries
A lot of the fish fries have streamlined processes, and prices are up.
"More are accepting credit cards and a lot of them now are using technology to take your order," he said. "They'll take your order whether it be on an iPad or handheld device and send it to the kitchen and your food gets prepared right away."
And the meals, he said, have also gotten a little more expensive.
"They used to be $8 to $10 and now they are getting upwards to the $12-$15 range for a dinner," Koleczko said. "It's a sign of the times, and unfortunately because of COVID a lot of the smaller ones closed and never came back."
On his Mitch's Friday Fish Fry Review page, Koleczko also posts flyers from fish fries around the metro area.
Where to find fish fries
Many of the churches, clubs and fraternal organizations' fish fries are fundraisers or benefit a specific program. You will find more than 40 fish fry places listed on the Archdiocese of Detroit fishfryfinder.org website.
For example, at Our Lady of the Scapular in Wyandotte, you can buy an Easter basket wrapped and filled with goodies for $10 or buy one to sponsor someone in need. Proceeds are donated to Mimi's Mission Downriver. Last year, more than 500 baskets were sponsored, according to parish secretary Esther Huerta.
Below is a small sampling of metro area fish fries and what they offer. Keep in mind that prices at each fish fry will vary as well as what is offered. Many of the fish fries are offered through Good Friday, April 7.
Knights of Columbus Hall
Where: 870 N. Main St., Clawson
When: 4:30-7 p.m. each Friday during Lent
What: Buffet fish fry includes baked tilapia, fried pollack, crab cakes, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, vegetables, baked potatoes, French fries, rolls, coffee and soft drinks. Dine in or carry-out.
For info: 248-435-0765 or clawsonkofc.org
Knights of Columbus Plymouth
Where: 150 Fair St. Plymouth
When: 5-7 p.m. Fridays through April 7
What: Three-piece fish and chips dinner served with coleslaw and a roll. A baked fish dinner is served with a baked potato, coleslaw and a roll. There's also a shrimp dinner served with fries, coleslaw and a roll and a macaroni and cheese dinner with fries, coleslaw and roll. Desserts and cash bar available.
For info: 734-453-3966 or plymouthkofc.org
Our Lady of Hope Parish
Where: 28301 Little Mack, St. Clair Shores
When: 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m. each Friday during Lent
What: Dine-in or carry-out. Fried or baked cod dinners are available in one, two and three pieces. Fried fish dinners come with fries, coleslaw and roll, while baked cod dinners include roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables, coleslaw and roll. Also available are a shrimp dinner, mac and cheese dinner, fish sandwich, grilled cheese sandwich and a pizza and salad.
For info: 586-771-1750 or olohscs.org
Our Lady of the Scapular Parish
Where: 2609 10th St., Wyandotte in the Our Lady of Mount Caramel High School auditorium
When: 3-7 p.m. or until sold out every Friday during Lent including Good Friday
What: Beer-battered fried cod, French fries, coleslaw and roll bread. Shrimp dinners are also available. You can dine in or take out. You can also order for take home homemade Polish dill pickle soup and uncooked pierogi.
For info: 734-284-9135 or ourladyofthescapular.org
Royal Oak First United Methodist Church
Where: 320 W. Seventh St., Royal Oak
When: 4:30-7 p.m. Friday, March 10 and 24
What: Dine in or carry-out cod (baked or fried), walleye and chicken tenders. Dinners include choice of baked potato and French fries, coleslaw, roll, and apple or cherry cobbler from Holiday Market in Royal Oak.
For info: 248- 541-4100 or rofum.org
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Where: 3400 S. Adams Road, Auburn Hills
When: 4-7 p.m. every Friday during Lent
What: Dine-in or carry-out. Baked or pub-style fish Atlantic cod, homemade chips, broccoli with or without cheese, mac, and cheese, and coleslaw. Baked potato, clam chowder, fish sandwiches, desserts, and pop are extra.
For info: 248-852-4170 or esacredheart.org
Sacred Heart Parish
Where: 21599 Parke Lane, Grosse Ile.
When: 4-7:30 p.m. every Friday through April 7
What: Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus fish fry is available for dine-in or carry-out. Dinners offered are broiled or fried cod, fried shrimp, walleye and perch dinners. All dinners include baked potato or fries, coleslaw and roll. You can also order sides of shrimp, crab cakes, pierogi, fries or baked potato, soup, desserts, beer, wine, and beverages for an additional cost. On Friday, Feb. 24, the featured soup is lobster bisque.
For info: 734-676-1378 or sacredheartgi.org
St. Francis D'Assisi-St. Hedwig Parish
Where: 4417 Wesson, Detroit, in the parish hall
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays during Lent
What: Dinner includes fried cod, French fries, coleslaw, and roll and desserts. It's $12 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under.
For info: 313-894-0163 or stfrancis-sthedwig.com
St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church
Where: 26440 Ryan Road, Warren at the St. Josaphat Banquet Centre
When: 4-7 p.m. Fridays through March 31
What: Fried perch, cod or shrimp dinners. Baked cod is also available. All dinners are served with a choice of pierogi or fries, coleslaw and bread. other sides available include onion rings, potato pancakes and borscht.
For info: stjoschurch.com
St. Linus Catholic Church
Where: 6466 Evangeline, Dearborn Heights
When: 4-7 p.m. every Friday during Lent except Good Friday
What: Pre-order for drive-thru pickup. Baked or fried cod dinner, shrimp dinner or combination. Dinners include fries, coleslaw, and dinner roll. There's also a pierogi dinner (six pieces) and a children's dinner option.
For orders: 313-569-7663 for same-day pickup or stlinuscatholicchurch.org
St. Theresa Lisieux
Where: 48115 Schoenherr Road, Shelby Township
When: 4-7 p.m. Fridays through March 31
What: Knights of Columbus fish fry offers fried or baked fish, shrimp and mac and cheese dinners. You can order for dine-in, carry-out or drive-thru. Dinners come with a choice of sides. Desserts and pierogi are available at an extra cost.
For info: 586-254-4433 or stol.church
Sweetest Heart of Mary
Where: 4440 Russell St., Detroit
When: 3-8 p.m. Fridays through April 7
What: Offerings include beer-battered cod, lemon-baked cod, breaded, baked fish, grilled shrimp or pierogi dinners. Dinner includes coleslaw and bread and your choice of fries or mac and cheese. Each week there will be a dinner special and a soup special. Dine-in or carry-out. You can also reserve a room for private dining at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. On the third floor (no elevator) of the parish hall, a private dining room is also available for larger groups (10 to 24) available at 5 p.m. Room reservations are an additional $50 and can be reserved by calling 313-378-4237.
For info: 313-831-6659 or motherofdivinemercy.org
Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Metro Detroit fish fry spots: 12 to try during Lent
