It’s the Lenten season in Cincinnati, which can only mean one thing: Fish Fry Fridays are back. (That and someone you know has given up chocolate for the next 40 days.) Almost every church in Cincinnati — and assorted savvy eateries — are offering some type of special fried fish dish on Fridays. Here are some of our favorites.
Immaculate Heart of Mary (Kentucky) Immaculate Heart of Mary’s annual fish fry has been a Lenten favorite for more than 30 years. The full menu features homemade favorites like hand-breaded fish, crab cakes, coleslaw and green beans. Dine-in hours are from 5-8 p.m. (with beer available!) and drive-thru is open 4:30-7:30 p.m. Every Friday March 8-April 12. 5876 Veterans Way, Burlington Photo via Facebook.com/IHMFishFryBurlingtonKY
Lehr’s Prime Market Every Friday during Lent, Milford’s Lehr’s meat market hosts a fish fry featuring a haddock sandwich basket (beer-battered haddock on marble rye with tartar sauce), and a la carte options including hush puppies, mac and cheese and extra tartar sauce. Fridays during Lent. 740 Main St., Milford Photo via Facebook.com/LehrsPrimeMarket
Bridgetown Finer Meats Fabulous Fish Friday at Bridgetown Finer Meats is the place to find the enormous Fabulous Fish Friday Sandwich topped with lettuce and tartar sauce and an option to add cheese. The menu also features Big John’s Shrimp Boat, lobster bisque, lobster mac with fries, and sides like mac and cheese, fruit salad and coleslaw. 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Fridays March 1 until Easter. 6135 Bridgetown Road, Bridgetown. Photo via Facebook.com/BridgetownFiner
The Pony In celebration of Lent, The Pony is holding fish frys every Friday, serving classic fish sandwiches and the once-a-year treat of a German beer menu. The featured beer is Schlenkerler Fastnbier, a mildly-smoked and lightly-hopped beer, which can be served in a bottle or on draft every Friday during Lent. 1346 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. Photo via Facebook.com/ThePonyOTR
Mary, Queen of Heaven Mary, Queen of Heaven Fish Fry is widely known in Cincinnati as the Home of the Codfather. Izzy’s CEO John Geisen becomes the Codfather for a day by dressing mafia-style and carrying around his giant stuffed cod for photos. Make sure to see the Codfather and try foods like shrimp tacos, baked cod, fish sandwich, butterfly shrimp, the signature Holy Haddock and more. 4-8 p.m. Fridays March 8-April 12 (except Good Friday) for eat-in or take out. 1130 Donaldson Road, Erlanger Photo via Facebook.com/MQHFishFry
West Side Brewing It’s Lent, which means the West Side gets real fishy this time of year. West Side Brewing is featuring fried fish from local parishes each week. This week is St. Martin of Tours Church and Parish School. Stop by for a fillet, a pint and some community fellowship. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. West Side Brewing Co., 3044 Harrison Ave., Cincinnati, westsidebrewing.com. 3/8 – St. Aloysius Gonzaga School ‘Bridgetown’ 3/15 – St. Martin of Tours Church and Parish School 3/22 – St Catharine Of Siena School 3/29 – St Catharine Of Siena School 4/5 – St. Aloysius Gonzaga School ‘Bridgetown’ 4/12 – St. Aloysius Gonzaga School ‘Bridgetown’ 4/19 – St. Aloysius Gonzaga School ‘Bridgetown’ 5-10 p.m. every Friday in Lent. 3044 Harrison Ave., Westwood Photo: Megan Waddel
R&R Quality Meats If anyone doesn’t want to wait until dinner for fish fry fun, R & R has them covered with their lunch menu. They offer fish tacos, lobster mac, a cod sandwich, grilled cheese, shrimp baskets and sides on their lunch and dinner menus every Friday in Lent and Ash Wednesday. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and dinner is served from 4:30-6:30 p.m. every Friday starting March 8 until Easter. 4029 Harrison Ave., Bridgetown. Photo via Facebook.com/R&RQualityMeats Photo:Facebook.com/R&RQualityMeats
Knights of Columbus Knights of Columbus’ fish fry has many different dishes to choose from, including beer-battered cod, all under $10. Bircus Brewery will also be there to serve freshly-brewed beer. Cash only. 4:30-7:30 p.m. March 8. 828 Elm St., Ludlow Photo via Facebook.com/KehoeKofC
”Off the Hook” St. Ignatius Fish Fry This West Side parish invites the community to bring friends and family to their annual fish fry dinner. The menu offers fried fish, baked fish and shrimp with sides like mac and cheese, green beans and coleslaw. Pizza, French fries, desserts and more will also be available for dine in or carry-out options. 5-8 p.m. every Friday in Lent (except for Good Friday). 5222 North Bend Road, Monfort Heights. Photo via StIgnatiusFishFry.org
Findlay Kitchen Soul Secrets is popping up at the Findlay Kitchen for a Friday fish fry through April 19. Find hand-breaded fish, sides, vegetables and dessert. Beverages provided. Must RSVP. 6-7:30 p.m. $15. Fridays March 8-April 19. 1719 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Photo via Facebook.com/FindlayKitchen
St. Francis Seraph Church The Brothers of Saint Francis Seraph teamed up with Christian Moerlein Malt House Taproom to offer a battered cod fillet dinner with two sides and a dessert. 5:30-9 p.m. Fridays March 1 through Lent (except Good Friday). 1621 Moore St., Over-the-Rhine. Photo via Facebook.com/SFSChurch
St. James the Greater St. James the Greater has been blessing the White Oak area with quality Lenten meals for over 10 years. Fried or grilled fish, fish sandwiches, shrimp, pizza, applesauce, Servatii’s pretzels — there’s something for everyone. 3565 Hubble Road, White Oak. Photo via
Nativity School Nativity School’s fish fry is back again, featuring a fish dinner that comes with two sides, offering cheese pizza for those not into fish, some craft and draft beer options, and more. 5:30-7:30 p.m. every Friday during Lent in the school cafeteria. 5936 Ridge Ave., Pleasant Ridge. Photo via Facebook.com/NativitySchool
St. William Parish St. William’s Church is celebrating another Lenten season with a weekly fish fry with food, friends and entertainment. Put a sandwich called the “magnificod” on the menu and we’re intrigued. Get the famous hand-breaded “magnificod,” or choose from a selection of tavern breaded fish, baked tilapia, salmon, shrimp, crab cakes, french fries, hush puppies, macaroni and cheese and homemade soup of the week. Beverages will also be available, as will live entertainment. For carry-out or dine in. Cash only. Drive thru 4-7 p.m.; dine in 4:30-7:30 p.m. every Friday in Lent (except Good Friday). 4108 W. Eighth St., Price Hill. Photo via SaintWilliam.com
Joella’s Joella’s is offering a twist on the traditional fish sandwich. The Crispy Cod Sammie, available from Wednesday to Friday for a limited time, is cooked in your preference of heat and then topped with vinegar slaw and Bama White BBQ. It comes with your choice of side and is only $9.50. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Fridays March 6-April 19. 180 E. Freedom Way, The Banks. Photo via Facebook.com/JoellasHotChicken
Immaculate Heart of Mary (Cincinnati) Immaculate Heart of Mary‘s fish fry will feature baked or fried fish, fish tacos, shrimp Caesar salad, mac and cheese, and more. Carry out also available. $9 adults; $8 seniors; $6 children. 4-8 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except Good Friday). 7820 Beechmont Ave., Forestville. Photo via Facebook.com/IHMParish Photo: Facebook.com/IHMParish
Prince of Peace Montessori School The Prince of Peace fish fry will have all the Lenten favorites: hand-battered fish, fried shrimp, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and some domestic and craft beers. But what sets this fish fry apart is their live entertainment each week, featuring Corey Tyler Moore kicking things off this Friday, March 8. 5-8 p.m. every Friday in Lent (except for Good Friday). 625 W. Pike St., Covington. Photo via Facebook.com/PriceOfPeaceMontessori
Guardian Angels Guardian Angels’ fish fry menu offers fried and baked fish, crab cakes, mozzarella sticks, mac and cheese, baked goods and more. 5-7:30 p.m. every Friday of Lent except for Good Friday. 6539 Beechmont Ave., Mt. Washington. Photo via Facebook.com/GACincinnati Photo:Facebook.com/GACincinnati
St. Lawrence This Price Hill fish fry offers many dinner specials and a la carte items, including breaded jumbo shrimp, teriyaki salmon, spaghetti with tomato sauce, soups and sides. 4-7 p.m. every Friday of Lent in Heritage Hall. 3680 Warsaw Ave., Price Hill. Photo via
Holy Cross Immaculata For over a century, people have been “praying the steps” of Mt. Adams to Immaculata Church at the end of Lent. The Holy Week celebration begins Holy Thursday, the “praying of the steps” begins at midnight and from 3-7 p.m. on Good Friday, April 19, there will be a fish fry in the Parish Center. 30 Guido St., Mt. Adams. Photo via Facebook.com/HCIParish
Holy Trinity Church The Holy Trinity Church Men’s Club fish frys will offer fried, baked and grilled fish, baked potatoes, green beans, coleslaw and more for $8. 5-7 p.m. March 22 and April 5, 2420 Drex Ave., Norwood. Photo via Facebook.com/HolyTrinityChurchNorwood
Our Lady of Lourdes Boy Scout Troop 471 Our Lady of Lourdes Boy Scout Troop 471 hosts their 28th-annual fish fry in the school cafeteria every Friday of Lent. Some favorites offered are baked salmon, breaded cod fillets, breaded shrimp, crab cakes and more. Dine-in, carry out or call ahead, 5-7:30 p.m. Fridays during Lent. 5835 Glenway Ave., Western Hills. Photo via Facebook.com/LourdesCincinnati
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart This annual fish fry will be held in the activity center on Fridays during Lent. Deep fried cod, baked tilapia, shrimp fettuccine, gumbo and pizza will be offered with choices of sides, drinks and dessert. 5 to 7:30 p.m., Fridays during Lent. 177 Siebenthaler Ave., Reading. Photo via Facebook.com/OLSHParishReadingOhio
St. Boniface School St. Boniface’s fish fry in the school cafeteria will have baked and fried fish, shrimp, pizza, stewed tomatoes, mac and cheese and more. 5-7 p.m. Fridays during Lent. 4305 Pitts St., Northside. Photo via Facebook.com/StBonifaceNorthside
Badin High School Badin High School is hosting a fish fry in their cafeteria, offering one or two fish dinners with two sides. The event will also offer pizza and beer. Call ahead orders at 513-349-7136. 5:30-8:30 p.m. March 15. 571 New London Road, Hamilton. Photo via Facebook.com/BadinHighSchool
Our Lady of the Rosary Our Lady of the Rosary will have a dine-in fish fry on March 22 and April 5 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. There will be a drive-thru fish fry available on Fridays during Lent, except Good Friday, from 5:30 to 7:00. Choose from fish dinners, clam chowder, pizza, sides, and desserts for $8. Dine-in 5:30-7 p.m. March 22 and April 5, drive-thru available 5:30-7 p.m. Fridays during Lent, except Good Friday. 17 Farragut Road, Green Hills. Photo via Facebook.com/OLRChurch
St. Anthony of Padua, Maronite The fish fry at St. Anthony of Padua will offer meatless Middle Eastern meals. 7-8 p.m., Fridays during Lent. 2530 Victory Pkwy., East Walnut Hills. Photo via Facebook.com/StAnthonyCincinnati
St. Antoninus Come support the St. Antoninus Boy Scout Troop 614 fish fry, which offers a selection of Lenten favorites, including fish sandwiches, grilled salmon, soup, onion rings, baked potatoes and more. You can call or even text ahead your order at 513-703-0312. 5-7 p.m., Fridays during Lent. 1500 Linneman Road, Covedale. Photo via Facebook.com/StAntoninus
The Community of the Good Shepherd The Community of the Good Shepherd offers dine-in, carry-out and drive-thru during their fish fry. Chris and Janeen from 103.5 WGRR will be there on Friday, March 15 for their 10th annual Tri-State Fish Fry World Tour. St. Vincent de Paul will also be there to accept donations. 5-7:30 p.m. Fridays through March 29. Drive-thru open 5-7 p.m. 8815 E. Kemper Road, Sixteen Mile Stand. Photo via Facebook.com/TheCommunityoftheGoodShepherd
Nine Giant Brewing Held specifically on March 8, this Friday fish fry features panko-crusted haddock, pommes frites and remoulade. Special runs all day, until it’s gone. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Every Friday during Lent. 6095 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge. Photo via Facebook.com/NineGiant