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The Knights of Columbus is holding a series of fish fry events during this year’s Lenten season, and an estimated 150 people dined at one held recently in Arlington Heights.
The in-person event March 11 was the second date in a series of six and was held by the Knights of Columbus Holy Rosary Council No. 4483 in Arlington Heights. This year there was in-person dining and carry-out offered.
James and Carolyn Zitkus worked in the kitchen with volunteers Edwin Tischler and Robert Gedmin – all of them from Arlington Heights.
“It’s good that we’re back together again,” James Zitkus said.
The meal series closed abruptly in March 2020 as the novel coronavirus emerged and the pandemic began. Then in 2021, it did not take place.
“It’s nice just (for) the community to come together, support one another, see each other’s faces – for conversation, brotherhood, sisterhood,” Gedmin said.
Sam Marsill, Knights of Columbus member, volunteer coordinator and event spokesperson said the organization decided this year to “just give it a shot.”
Mostaccioli with marinara sauce, cole slaw, tater rounds, fresh baked cornbread muffins plus coffee or tea are included with the deep fried cod meal. A cash bar is available with free soft drink refills.
“This is all you can eat, you help yourself to whatever you want,” Marsillo said.
He said for the first time, credit cards are being accepted for payment this year.
“We have never done that in the past,” Marsillo said.
The Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary provides the dessert table where diners are welcome to offer a donation.
Council Grand Knight Jeff Williams said the fish fry series “does several things. Number one, it does build community. Number two, it’s also a fundraiser.”
Williams estimates the village of Arlington Heights has about 15,000 to 20,000 Catholic families, and they could be seeking Friday meatless dining options during Lent, the Christian period that leads up to Easter.
Proceeds from the fish fry series assist the youth ministries at St. Colette Parish of Rolling Meadows, and in Arlington Heights, St. Edna Catholic Church, Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church and Saint James Parish. Special Olympics is also a beneficiary, according to organizers.
“Depending on how well we do, we can give $800 to $1,000 per organization, which is nice,” Williams said.
Returning as fish fry volunteers are Ray Cordell, of Arlington Heights, known “The Codfather” for his fish frying expertise, and Mike McNicholas, of Arlington Heights, known as the “Tater Tot Man” for his tater rounds potato culinary skills.
With the pandemic seeming to ease, “it’s time for people to start to get out to see other people, particularly to get back to the churches,” Cordell said. “Food, from the very beginning of time, has brought people together.”
Cordell was joined by McNicholas and other volunteers who used an outdoor tent to fry food using turkey fryers.
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Art Tluczek, of Arlington Heights also worked outside, saying he was happy the fish fry suppers returned post pandemic.
“It’s great, overdue,” Tluczek said.
For the series of six Friday Lenten fish fry events, which started March 4 and go to April 8, adults pay $15 for dining in. Carry out is $13 per meal. Dinners for children age 5 to 12 are $8 each. Kids under 5 eat for free.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.