Lent: Where to get fish at markets, restaurants, churches in the Poconos

Maria Francis, Pocono Record
·3 min read

The Lenten season starts this week and so does the search for fresh fish markets, restaurants or traditional, church-hosted fish fries. This year, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, and ends on Holy Saturday, March 30.

Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting and repentance, representing the time Jesus Christ spent in the wilderness before he began his ministry. It is observed by most Christian groups including Roman Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox churches.

According to Christian teaching, Jesus died on a Friday and so fasting or abstaining from eating the flesh of warm-blooded animals gave way to "Fish Fridays." Historically, fish was a more available and affordable protein for early Christians.

Whether you are in the market for fresh fish and seafood to cook at home or a local restaurant in the Poconos, there are options. There are also Lenten dinner offerings at some churches.

Blue Ocean Fish Market owner Luis Delgado holds up a fresh fish for sale at his store on Feb. 8, 2024. He works along side his brother-in-law Gregory Clark to clean, cut and filet fish for his customers.
Blue Ocean Fish Market owner Luis Delgado holds up a fresh fish for sale at his store on Feb. 8, 2024. He works along side his brother-in-law Gregory Clark to clean, cut and filet fish for his customers.

Where to buy fish in the Poconos

Blue Ocean Fish Market is located at 764 N. 9th Street., Stroudsburg, between Aldi and the Ertle Subaru dealership. Owner Luis Delgado has been in the business of selling fish in the Poconos for over 30 years.

Delgado said all his seafood is wild-caught and brought in from the Fulton Fish Market at Hunts Point in the Bronx.

"I sell everything that people want, like salmon, cod, blue fish, tuna, sea bass, mackerel, branzini, snapper, squid, lobster, shrimp, clams and so much more," said Delgado. "I try to have variety for all my customers."

Blue Ocean Fish Market is located at 764 N. 9th St. (Route 611), Stroudsburg, between Aldi and the Ertle Subaru dealership.
Blue Ocean Fish Market is located at 764 N. 9th St. (Route 611), Stroudsburg, between Aldi and the Ertle Subaru dealership.

Delgado and his brother-in-law Gregory Clark work together in the store to clean, cut and filet, as requested by customers.

"I will be running Fish Friday specials, every Friday during lent," said Delgado. "Whiting and porgy are very popular during Lent, so I will offer a discounted, special price on those every Friday during Lent."

Yaya's Fish Fry2 is located in the Price Chopper shopping plaza at 4543 Milford Road, East Stroudsburg. Owner Michael Fersner opened this location last August and has since closed his first restaurant that was located on Frantz Road in Bartonsville.

"Although the locations for both restaurants were close to each other, I chose to keep this location because it seemed better and more visible," said Fersner.

Yaya's has an extensive menu offering fried or steamed fish, in the options of meals, combos, sandwiches, salads and bowls. There is whiting, tilapia, cod, porgy, catfish, flounder, salmon, kingfish, snapper, shrimp and more.

Yaya's Fish Fry2 restaurant is located within the Price Chopper shopping plaza on Route 209 in Middle Smithfield Township.
Yaya's Fish Fry2 restaurant is located within the Price Chopper shopping plaza on Route 209 in Middle Smithfield Township.

Fersner said they are also known for their crab cakes, fish tacos, seafood gumbo, seafood boils and soul food sides, like mac 'n' cheese, greens, candied yams and grits.

"We run different specials daily," said Fersner. "And in honor of Lent, we'll be running a Friday Lent special too. So come on in and see what we have for you. We offer a dine-in seating area and also do a lot of take-out."

Lenten dinners at churches

Fish fries are also a Lenten tradition and are often hosted by Catholic-based organizations or churches.

The Church of Saint Luke, located at 818 Main St., Stroudsburg, will be hosting Lenten dinners every Friday during lent, between 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Jacques Center. Each week will feature a different chef and menu. Offerings include fish tacos with chips and salsa, salmon with rice, cabbage salad and clam chowder, fish and chips, rice with shrimp, and Portuguese codfish stew. Each entrée comes with dessert and drink for $10 per person. There are all-you-can-eat pasta alternatives. Kids' meals include pizza or pasta with dessert and drink for $5 per child. For more info, call 570-421-9097.

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, located at 1402 Route 209, Brodheadsville, will be hosting a fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb.16, March 1 and March 22 at McCawley Hall. Adult entrée options will be fish and chips for $13 per person or baked fish for $15 per person. Dinners include soup, salad, dessert and beverages. Children 10 years and younger will be free. For more info, call 610-681-6137.

Maria Francis covers K-12 education and real estate, housing and development for the Pocono Record. Reach her at mfrancis@poconorecord.com.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Lent: Get fish at markets, restaurants, church dinners in the Poconos