On Fridays during Lent in the Midwest, many of us fry fish — including some who might not follow the Catholic practice of abstaining from eating meat on Fridays between Fat Tuesday and Easter, but still want to get that fishy fix. (Truthfully, many spots in the Midwest fry fish every Friday year-round, but things get kicked into overdrive during Lent.)
Like everything else, COVID-19 has altered this year’s fish fry schedules a bit, but many local congregations are going ahead with some version of the tradition. We’ve rounded up nine restaurants and bars in Chicago offering fried fish for the Lenten days.
Bulldog Ale House
This group of area sports bars offers a fish-and-chips item on its menu seven days a week. During the Lenten holiday, Bulldog Ale house also serves up an all-you-can-eat option ($13) from 4-6 p.m. at its Loyola location. Locations vary, bulldogalehouse.com
The Duck Inn
Chef Kevin Hickey’s Bridgeport darling fries up a fish-and-chips plate special ($19) during the Lenten season, as it’s not a typical menu item. The batter is light and beautifully crisp, and the duck fat fries are a perfect pairing. This year, the whole family can chow down with a meal for four for $69. 2701 S. Eleanor St., theduckinnchicago.com
Duke of Perth
This Lakeview institution is known for its fish and chips, so this is really the pub’s time to shine. Stop by the North Side spot for a classic basket ($17.50) served with green peas, chips and malt vinegar. 2913 N. Clark St., dukeofperth.com
Gideon Welles
In Lincoln Square, Gideon Welles is one of several cherished Irish pubs and a good bet for Friday fish. The bar’s basket ($14) includes Atlantic cod with fries, garden peas and house-made tartar sauce. 4500 N. Lincoln Ave., gideonchicago.com
Mac’s Wood Grilled
The fish and chips were so popular during Lent last year that Mac’s added the dish to its menu full-time — and that bodes well for fish fry fans. Pick up a basket of whitefish, fries and house-made tartar sauce ($13). 1801 W. Division St., macswoodgrilled.com
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Pleasant House
Fish and chips from this British pub are a favorite among the Bridgeport and Pilsen crowds, and even more so during the Lenten season. This one keeps it simple, with whitefish fresh from Lake Superior, fries and a homemade tartar sauce ($14). The other local Lenten special — a hearty pepper-and-egg sandwich — gets the Pleasant House treatment in the form of a seasonal royal pie, made with a smoky Italian pepperonata stew with truffled scrambled egg ($11.50). 2119 S. Halsted St., pleasanthousepub.com
Shaw’s Crab House
At both the Chicago and Schaumburg locations of Shaw’s Crab House, guests can pick up a three-course fish-and-chips package ($30) that also includes a cup of clam chowder and a slice of mini key lime pie to go along with Alaskan cod, fries and coleslaw. There’s also a family option at each location. The Chicago version includes clam chowder, parker house rolls, Caesar salad, Parmesan-crusted haddock, mashed potatoes and chocolate cake ($80), while the Schaumburg edition features 10 pieces of fish, fries, a pint of coleslaw and four pieces of chocolate cake ($60). 21 E. Hubbard St.; 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg; shawscrabhouse.com
Tuman’s Tap & Grill
If you’re going to hit Tuman’s for your fish fix, make sure you do it between 4-10 p.m. on Fridays, as the bar does not offer the dish all the time. It’s a solid option during Lent, though, with fried cod, fries and house-made tartar sauce ($14). 2159 W. Chicago Ave., tumanstapandgrill.com
Will’s Northwoods
This North Side spot is fashioned as a Wisconsin-style supper club, and it’s open with limited seating right now. Will’s will, of course, be serving up a Friday fish fry option ($15) that includes fried cod, fries, coleslaw and toast. 3030 N. Racine St., willsnorthwoodsinn.com
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