Who has Rochester's best fish fry? Bracket of 32 set for ROC Fish Fry Faceoff
Note: Voting has concluded for the first round. Scroll down to find out who advanced.
The Democrat & Chronicle is on a mission ― once again ― to find Rochester's best fish fry.
Four years after our last fish fry competition, our reigning winner ― Crabby Dan's Grill in Mendon ― has sadly closed. That means it's time to find a new winner.
This time, we're leaving the decision up to you, Rochester's fish fry aficionados, by having a March Madness-style bracket challenge called the Roc Fish Fry Faceoff.
After a week of nominations (for 181 places in all), the field of 32 fish fries is set and the restaurants have been seeded in March Madness style. They have been placed on the brackets for round-by-round, head-to-head matchups. Voting will take place weekly until a winner is named in late March.
Captain Jim's Fish Market (1) vs Fried Fish Shack (16)
Captain Jim's is a perennial favorite for fish, whether fried, baked or ready to prepare at home. It finished in the top 5 in our 2019 poll. It currently offers takeout only. 2329 E. Main St.; (585) 482-3640.
Fried Fish Shack opened in 2021 in the former home to Jack's Modern Fish Market. The shop serves battered or cornmeal crusted fish along with fries, macaroni salad and other sides. 826 Joseph Ave.; (585) 434-0518.
The Old Toad (8) vs Lucca's Northside Kitchen (9)
The Old Toad is a cozy longtime British-style pub that is known for its traditional fish and chips, served with a choice of garden peas or minted mushy peas as well as British Chips (fries). 277 Alexander Street; (585) 232-2626.
Lucca’s Northside Kitchen opened in the former home to the storied Northside Inn in East Rochester last year. While they are known for Italian-American fare, they've also found a following for their fish fries. 311 N. Washington St., East Rochester; (585) 248-3470.
Chick'n Out (5) vs Union Tavern (12)
Chick’n Out, which started out as a popular pop-up, is known for its chicken but serves a Southern-style fish fry on Fridays. Huge pieces of haddock are coated in cornmeal and flour, and dusted with the same seasonings as its chicken. 37 Charlotte St. in the East End; (585) 376-2468.
The Union Tavern, the successor to the historic Reunion Inn in Irondequoit, is loosely based on a New England theme. It's no surprise, then, that it has a standout beer-battered haddock fish fry, served Wednesdays and Fridays. 4565 Culver Road in Irondequoit; (585) 563-7304.
More:Chick'n Out and Cluck if you Buck open, were originally hatched as popular pop-ups
Polska Chata (4) vs Cluck if You Buck (13)
Polska Chata has been a homey Polish deli and restaurant in Irondequoit since 2003. On Fish Fry Fridays, you can even enjoy your crispy fish with housemade pierogi. 32 Vinedale Ave. in Irondequoit; (585) 266-4480.
Cluck if you Buck started as a pop-up at The Landing Bar & Grille; when it closed last year, it moved to a canalside location, tucked back from Fairport's Main Street. It is known for hot chicken, but also offers a fish fry. 10 Liftbridge Lane; (585) 419-5448.
Mama Lor's Café (6) vs Dicky's Corner Pub (11)
Mama Lor's Café now has two locations in Webster. A major draw is their beer battered or breaded fish fry, which comes in two sizes (monster and mini) and is offered daily. 1319 Lake Road in Webster; (585) 265-3512 and 1891 Ridge Road in Webster; (585) 545-4895.
Dicky’s Corner Pub is a Highland Park neighborhood institution; the building dates to the late 19th century. It serves its longtime recipe for breaded or beer battered haddock fish fry on Fridays. 791 Meigs St.; (585) 355-4939.
Winfield Grill (3) vs Lento Restaurant (14)
A longtime neighborhood bar/eatery in the North Winton Village, the Winfield Grill serves its popular beer-battered fish fry every day. 647 N. Winton Road; (585) 654-8990.
Lento Restaurant has been serving local, seasonal, sustainable fare since 2007. Its beer-battered haddock comes with a choice of sweet cabbage slaw or British-style mashed peas. A Celiac-friendly version is cooked in its own fryer. 274 N. Goodman St. in Village Gate Square; (585) 271-3470.
Fairport Village Inn (7) vs Katie's Kitchen at The Avenue Pub (10)
The Fairport Village Inn has been a gathering place in the Village of Fairport since 1976. It serves its beer-battered haddock fish fry on Fridays. 103 North Main Street, Fairport; (585) 388-0112.
The Avenue Pub, a landmark in the gay community since 1975, was named among the best LGBTQ bars in the country in 2021. Chef Katie Haney has developed a large following for her beer-battered fish fry, served on Fridays. All are welcome. 522 Monroe Ave.; (585) 244-4960.
Fairfield's Bar & Grill (2) vs Underpass Bar & Grill (15)
Fairfield's Bar and Grill was one of the top five finishers in our 2019 poll. Two sizes of beer-battered or breaded fish fry is offered Wednesdays and Fridays. 2600 Baird Road, Perinton; (585) 383-0767.
The Underpass Bar & Grill is a casual bar located in the former home to Shooters, two minutes away from its bracket rival. It serves its beer-battered or breaded fish fry on Fridays. 1226 Fairport Rd, Fairport; (585) 385-9777.
Hose 22 (1) vs Tryon City Tavern (16)
A restored 1916 firehouse with historic memorabilia on display is the setting for Hose 22 Firehouse Grill, a family-friendly restaurant in Charlotte. Its beer-battered haddock fish fry is offered Fridays. 56 Stutson St.; (585) 621-2200.
Tryon City Tavern, a neighborhood bar and grill in the North Winton Village, is known for its commendable pub fare. On Fridays, it makes its pale ale-battered haddock to order. 2300 E. Main St.; (585) 654-9122.
Palmer's Direct to you Market (8) vs Stone's Countryside Tavern (9)
Palmer's Direct To You Market, in the Genesee Valley Regional Market, has a counter for ordering prepared foods. It has several fish fry options, including a gluten-free breaded fish fry that gets high marks. 900 Jefferson Road, Henrietta; (585) 272-9470.
A homey restaurant and bar for more than 40 years, Stone's Countryside Tavern offers its breaded fish fries on Thursday through Saturday. It was in the top 5 of our 2019 poll. 6120 Buffalo Rd, Churchville; (585) 293-1520.
Bill Gray's (5) vs Forest Hill Restaurant (12)
The Webster-based Bill Gray's restaurant chain claims to be home of the world's greatest cheeseburger, but many of its customers think its fish fry should be its claim to fame. Fish fry is offered every day. 14 restaurants in the Rochester area; find a list online.
Forest Hill Restaurant sits on a spit of land nestled among Braddock Bay, Lake Ontario and Cranberry Pond. Its fresh fried haddock dinners are available whenever the restaurant is open. 41 E. Manitou Road, Greece; (585) 225-0639.
Charlie Riedel's (4) vs Island Wraps (13)
Charlie Riedel opened his eponymous restaurant on Empire Boulevard in Penfield in 1969, and Charlie's now has three locations in Webster, Ontario and Canandaigua. While it is known for burgers, customers swear by the fish fry, which is offered daily. Find locations online.
Island Wraps, a popular festival vendor, opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant in West Henrietta last year. While it is known for Jamaican food and wraps, it also prides itself in its fish fry. 5152 E. River Road, Henrietta; (585) 404-0178.
Kithnos Seafood Market (6) vs Charlotte Tavern (11)
Kithnos Seafood Market, which dates back to 1992, has myriad options for seafood, including haddock fish fry and Cajun haddock fish fry. 1775 N. Clinton Ave.; (585) 342-4160.
The Charlotte Tavern, a longtime Irish-themed pub in Charlotte, serves both breaded and beer battered haddock fish fry; a Buffalo version is available as well. 2 River St.; (585) 663-9649.
Davies Seafood (3) vs Rush Creekside Inn (14)
Davies Seafood has a devoted following, having been in business since 1936. Fish fries are offered whenever it is open. Its fish is extra crunchy, as it's both battered and breaded before frying. 395 Stone Road in Greece; (585) 663-7573.
The Rush Creekside Inn is a relaxed, family owned tavern that dates back to 1892. Its Friday fish fry is offered beer battered or breaded. 6071 E. Henrietta Road, Rush; (585) 533-1250.
Jim's Ground (7) vs Mr. Dominic's at the Lake (10)
Jim's Ground is a casual hamburger restaurant but its crunchy Friday night fish fries are so popular that they sometimes sell out. 1205 Spencerport Road in Gates; (585) 413-0757.
A fixture in the Charlotte neighborhood since 1976, Mr. Dominic's at the Lake has a devoted following for its Italian fare, but its customers also rave about the Friday fish fries. 4699 Lake Ave.; (585) 730-5444.
Parkway Family Restaurant (2) vs The Dakota (15)
An unpretentious diner, the Parkway Family Restaurant has been around since 1977. It serves its large battered fish fries, which finished in the Top 5 in our 2019 poll, on Wednesdays and Fridays. 697 Ling Road, Greece; (585) 663-9689.
The Dakota, a casual bar and grill in Hilton, serves its beer battered or breaded fish fry on Fridays and Saturdays. 913 Roosevelt Highway (State Route 18), Hilton; (585) 392-3737.
What to know
Voting begins on Wednesday, Feb. 22, and ends Sunday, Feb. 26.
You may vote once per matchup, per round.
Sweet 16 voting will begin on March 1, featuring winners from the previous round.
If the poll does not immediately load, refresh the page. The poll generally loads better on desktops and laptops than on mobile devices. Also, avoid using the Firefox browser.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Who has the best fish fry in Rochester? Bracket of 32 set for Faceoff
