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March 1, 2023
Twin Cities Fish Fry updated for 2023
Minnesota Fish Fry season is here. Our Wisconsin friends to the East “Fish Fry” all year long, but in Minnesota, we generally reserve such fried fellowship for the Lenten time frame. This year Lent is through April 16, so may I suggest you partake at your favorite restaurant? Here are a few of my favorite 2023 Twin Cities fish fry options.
Available year-round – this fish fry is no slouch. Our friends Molly and Tom have re-imagined your favorite dive bar on Payne Avenue This local favorite has fish and chips on its menu year-round. You’ll get Summit beer-battered fried cod served with lemon and tartar sauce and a side of fries or coleslaw. While there why not take in chopped cheese while you are there as a side?
956 Payne Ave, Saint Paul, MN, United States, Minnesota
An oldie but still a goodie specializing in Walleye! The Tav’s famous walleye dinner includes one or two filets cooked to your liking (grilled, deep-fried, or blackened) plus traditional or jalapeno tartar sauce, salad or coleslaw, a choice of potato, and mixed vegetables. The menu also includes a basket with bite-sized breaded and deep-fried walleye, tavern fries, coleslaw, and traditional or jalapeno tartar sauce.
656 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN, United States, Minnesota
This neighborhood bar has the fried chicken game down, and this year they are adding fish to the fryer. Beer-battered walleye with fries and sauce is $13.50 on Fridays. While you are there grab a dill pickle fried chicken bucket for midnight snackin.
4563 S 34th Ave, Minneapolis, MN, United States, Minnesota
There are several Friday night fish options at all five locations of this locally-owned restaurant group. Get hand-breaded, fried Icelandic cod with coleslaw and French fries on the fish sandwich topped with cheese it looks like a fancy filet of fish($14.99).
Locations in Bloomington, Burnsville, Mendota, Plymouth, and Roseville; luckys13pub.com.
Obbs’ Sports Bar and Grill Mounds Park:
Obb’s is a family-owned sports bar in St. Paul. Hot Turkey and Meatloaf sandwiches move over on Friday nights at 4pm to make way for the $17.95 Fish Fry, which is a value for-all-you-can-eat with soup or salad and a baked potato or fries or coleslaw but the move here is to get the au gratin potatoes. Get there early as there can be a wait during Lent.
1347 Burns Ave St Paul; Obbs Sports Bar
might not sprint to mind when you think “Fish-fry” but they take their Gluten free experience with pizzas and crusts and apply it to the fishies. Grab your curbside pickup of gluten-free fried fish – Fridays from 11:30-1 and 4:30-7 through April 7.
6030 50Th St N, Oakdale, MN, United States, Minnesota.
Red Cow Edina, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Uptown:
This spot keeps on trend by offering an all-you-can-eat Pollack fish fry but they amp it up a bit with their homemade Tarter sauce. This used to be my go-to at Red Cow so I am glad they have brought it back. The fish fry is available at all Red Cow locations
3624 W. 50th St., Mpls.; 393 Selby Av., St. Paul; 208 1st Av. N. Mpls., 2626 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., redcowmn.com.
Mac’s Fish and Chips SW Minneapolis and Larpenteur Avenue in St. Paul
Mac’s is a fast-casual spot featuring made-to-order walleye, halibut, cod, shrimp, and clam strips with fries or curds. You can take it out or eat in. This fish is flaky, satisfying, hot, and fresh. If you go once, you will be hooked (see what I did there?) beyond the Lenten season.2 piece dinners start at $12.95. Don’t leave without some freshly made saltwater taffy.
1330 W. Larpenteur Av., St. Paul, and 610 W. 54th St., Mpls., macsfishchipsstrips.com.
Every Friday, not just during fish fry season but all year, the taproom at Minnesota’s first women-owned microbrewery serves up fish fry. The fish is panko-breaded walleye, and it’s served with a choice of sides plus coleslaw, tartar sauce, and pumpernickel rye bread, just like in Sconnie ($20).
2325 Endicott St., St. Paul, 651-340-5793, urbangrowlerbrewing.com.
Church Fish Frys
The Catholic Spirit has the most comprehensive list of Fish Frys, soup meals, and Lenten Dinners. You can find their list here.
Also – if you like a side of Lebanese garlic sauce with your fish fry, my favorite is: Holy Family Maronite — Lebanese Lenten dinner, 4–7 p.m. Fridays during Lent except Good Friday at 1960 Lexington Ave. Dine–in. Served with a side of Lebanese hospitality. $15. Includes baked fish, green beans in tomato sauce served over a bed of Lebanese rice, fried cabbage, flatbread, garlic sauce, homemade cakes, and desserts. holyfamilymaronitechurch.org
Our 2022 recap from the show is here:
