Lenten fish frys abound with many options served and to-go from area churches and restaurants

Feb. 28—The tradition of Friday fish frys served during Lent has begun, most to be served Friday evenings through March 31 but a few continuing through April 7, which is Good Friday. Easter falls on April 9 this year.

In this country, the weekly fish frys began in Midwest cities with large Polish and Italian populations — people with a largely Catholic heritage. That church teaches that Christ died on a Friday, so abstaining from eating meat year-round on Fridays became a way to honor his sacrifice. Church rules were relaxed in 1966 when Fridays during Lent were the only time meat-eating was to be avoided.

The Friday frys today are also offered by service clubs and private restaurants as they continue at many Catholic churches. Diners often go from one to another throughout the Lenten season to decide which is best.

Most of this area's church fish frys have not increased in price this year, although dinner costs in some churches are edging toward the $20 mark. Expect to pay more at most restaurants.

Buffet style is the norm at chruches, although a few serve diners seated at tables after orders are taken. In some cases, orders and pre-payment can be made in advance online for those who wish to avoid the long lines that sometimes result on Fridays during Lent. At least one church is making meals available on an a la carte basis so diners can create their own dinners.

Here's a look at where to find Friday fish frys in this area:

American Croatian Lodge — 34900 Lake Shore Blvd., Eastlake — 440-946-3366 >> Serving from 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays through April 7.

Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal — 23599 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst — 216-382-7770 >> 5 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays through March 31. Reserve a dinner to eat in or take home with a form at gsepiscopal.org. Eight shrimp, smashed red potatoes, crunchy slaw, bread, shrimp, $12. Vegetarian dinner: Mac and cheese, tossed salad, bread, $10. Kids' meal: Mac and cheese, applesauce, bread, drink, $4. Dine in or carryout. Beverages available for purchase with carryout; water and coffee included with dine-in. Soft drinks available for purchase. A bake sale is offered with assorted cookies, brownies, breads. Dinners also are available at the door on March 31.

Church of the Holy Angels — 18205 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge Township — 440-708-0000 >> Serving 5 to 7 p.m. Fridays through March 31. Dine in or carry out. (Enter Taylor May Road entrance) Menu: Fried Lake Erie perch, three pieces, $18; shrimp, seven pieces, $15; beer-battered cod, two pieces, $15; baked lemon pepper cod, one piece, $15; pierogi, six pieces, $12. All fish and shrimp dinners include fries with vegetable, coleslaw, roll and butter. Baked lemon pepper cod option includes baked potato with vegetable, coleslaw, roll & butter. Pierogi dinners include grilled onions, vegetable, coleslaw, roll and butter, sour cream. Additional side items: pizza by the slice, mac-n-cheese, $3. March 17 St. Patrick's Day Special: Corned beef on rye sandwiches with fries and coleslaw $15.

Firehouse Grill & Pub — 2768 Stark Drive, Willoughby Hills >> Fridays. Icelandic cod, beer-battered or broil, fries and coleslaw, $16.99.

Hooley Pub & Kitchen — 861 Reynolds Road, Mentor — 440-942-6611 >> Fridays. Guinness-battered cod with fries and a side, $15.50.

Irish American Club East Side — 22770 Lake Shore Blvd., Euclid — 216-538-1358 >> Served 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 3, 10 and 24 and April 7. Menu: Baked cod, beer-battered cod and shrimp dinners with fries, mac and cheese, slaw and dessert. Cost: $15, adults; $8, kids. Lake Erie perch dinner, $17. Also: Beer-battered fish sandwich with fries, $8; every-other-week specials of cabbage and noodles and pierogis. Live music every week.

LaMalfa — 5783 Heisley Road, Mentor — 440- 721-8198 >> 4 to 9 p.m. each Friday with last serve at 8 p.m. Seafood buffet $24.50 per person, $12.50 child 12 and under. Bucket of premium crab legs, additional $25. Plus tax. Reservations recommended. Get tickets at lamalfa.com/seafood-buffet-2023.

LaVera Party Center — 32200 Chardon Road, Willoughby Hills — 440-943-0087 >> Curbside pick-up only 4:30 to 7 p.m. through April 7 Baked and beer-battered center-cut cod loins, parsley redskin potatoes, mac and cheese, cabbage and noodles, pasta fagioli, coleslaw, tossed garden salad, assorted desserts, dinner rolls with whipped butter. $20.

Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine — 21281 Chardon Road, Euclid — 216-481-8232 >> 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. Fridays through March 24. Two pieces of fish (battered or light butter sauce), choice of fries or hash browns, pasta fagioli (bean soup), applesauce or slaw, bread and butter, coffee or hot tea. All fish and potatoes are baked. Cost: $14; soda, $1; sauteed shrimp, $4.

Rustic Grill at StoneWater Golf Club — 1 Club Drive, Highland Heights — 440-461-4653 >> Dine-in or carry-out: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. through April 7. Battered cod plate includes Cajun wedge fries, tartar sauce and house slaw. Lake Erie perch sliders topped with house slaw and garlic aioli served with Cajun wedge fries. Full dinner menu available, with multiple fish and non-meat options. Kids' menu includes battered cod with fries and applesauce or grilled cheese with fries and applesauce. Igloo reservations are also available.

St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church — 435 SOM Center Road, Mayfield Village — 440-449-2290 >> Fridays through March 31. Order a la carte and create your own dinner from breaded cod, $6; pan-fried salmon, $9; fried shrimp, $2; mac and cheese, $4; slaw, $2; garden salad, $2; fries, New England-style clam chowder, soft drinks and bottomless cups of coffee also will be available. Homemade dessert available from St. Bart's bakers. Cash or check only. Dine in or takeout. Live piano music. Email saintbartohio@gmail.com or visit saintbartohio.org to reserve dinner in advance and be served at your table 5 to 7 p.m.

St. Gabriel Catholic Church — 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Road, Concord Township — 440-352-8282 >> The 23rd annual Friday Fish Fry runs from 5 to 7 p.m. through March 31 with $20 pre-paid discounted all-you-can-eat tickets at St-Gabriel.org. It's $23 at the door for adults and $10 for children. The menu includes baked and battered cod, breaded shrimp, homemade chowder; kid-friendly fare such as macaroni and cheese, pizza and pasta; and a variety of side dishes and desserts. Visit St-Gabriel.org.

Saint John Vianney Catholic Church — 7575 Bellflower Road, Mentor — 440-255-0600 >> Serving from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays through March 31. Cost: $20, adults; $10, kids through 12. Buffet includes baked and fried fish, soup, salad, coleslaw, pierogi, mac and cheese, roll and beverage with chicken tenders for kids.

St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church — 35781 Stevens Blvd., Eastlake — 440-946-1177 >> Served 5 to 7 p.m. March 3 and 10.

Dinners include two pieces of fried sole or one piece of lightly seasoned baked cod, fresh-cut fries, mac and cheese, homemade slaw, roll with butter and beverage. Kids' dinners include one piece of fried sole or one piece of lightly seasoned baked cod and sides. Cost: Adults, $13; seniors, $11; kids, $7. A la carte: Cheese pizza slice, $3; fries, $3; homemade cabbage and noodles, $3; mac and cheese, $4; pierogi, $3; soda or water, $1.

St. Mary's Church — 242 N. State St. Painesville — 440-227-3172 >> Knights of Columbus No. 947 will serve from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Fridays through April 7. Dinners: Perch, $14; walleye, $14; perch/walleye, $15; shrimp, $12; perch/shrimp, $14; fish taco, $6; crab cake, $10. Sides: Two pieces of perch, $4; two shrimp, $3; two crab cakes, $6; fish taco, $4; fries, $2; baked potato, $2; clam chowder, $5; slaw, $2; mac and cheese, $4. Dinners include choice of potato, slaw, bread and coffee, milk, soda or water.

Sara's Place — 1501 Chagrin River Road, Gates Mills — 440-423-1000 >> Fish fry meals for curbside and dine-in include potato pierogies made by an area church lightly breaded fish, fresh coleslaw.

Willoughby-Elks Lodge No. 18 — 38860 Mentor Ave., Willoughby — 440-942-2747 — >> Served 5 to 7:20 p.m. Fridays through April 7. Choice of walleye, three- or four-piece perch dinner, two- or three-seafood cake dinner, perch-shrimp combo or shrimp-and-steak dinners, $13-$16. Kids' meals available. Dinners come with cheddar biscuit and choice of potato or mac and cheese. Dine in or carry out for $1 extra.