From convenient drive-thrus to restaurant-quality dining, our diocese is home to a wide variety of parish fish fries.
So I took it upon myself — in an act of total selflessness — to visit as many as I could in order to report back to you on the highlights of each.
Read on for your guide to some area fish fries, and then for St. Pete’s sake be sure to catch one before they’re gone for the liturgical year!
St. Peter, Ashton
Speaking of St. Peter, it’s no wonder this parish named after the Fisher of Men is home to one truly special fish fry!
Its delectable cod lives up to its namesake, and it never fails to net big crowds.
Enjoy the hometown feel of this fish fry thanks to the dedicated volunteers who have been working this well-oiled machine for decades, as well as the loyal patrons who have supported it for just as long.
This Ashton staple can be enjoyed either dine-in or carry-out.
If dining in, grab a beer or soda as you wait for a table in the parish basement.
When it’s your turn in the buffet line, fill your plate with hearty pieces of classic deep-fried cod that’ll hold the keys to your stomach.
Be sure to high five Fr. Scott Jablonski as you head back to your table.
Or skip the line and place a carry-out order, hand-delivered by Fr. Michael Wanta.
Next fish fries: March 28, April 11
Blessed Trinity, Dane
Did those afternoon errands take longer than you expected? Not a problem!
Swing by the Blessed Trinity Parish fish fry at St. Michael Church in Dane and bring home a great dinner without ever having to leave your car.
Get in line on Military Rd., turn on your favorite Lenten podcast, and look for Fr. Joe Baker to come around and give you a number.
As you pull into the parking lot of Blessed Trinity, place your order with a friendly parishioner.
It will be delivered promptly to your car well before your podcast’s outro music starts.
The super kind volunteers will help you order, maneuver your giant van through the line, and even look the other way when you drive over a parking cone.
Five stars for convenience, kindness, and a heavenly meal!
Next fish fry: April 4
St. Patrick, Cottage Grove
Another location to drop in for a fish fry is St. Patrick’s in Cottage Grove.
Located in the church basement, this fish fry serves up both dine-in and carry-out options.
The volunteers at St. Patrick are so warm and welcoming, they’ll make you feel as though you’ve been invited into someone’s home!
Be ready for them to fill your plate or to-go box with all-you-can-eat deep fried or baked cod, french fries, green beans, macaroni and cheese, and fresh dinner rolls.
And don’t forget to grab one of their blue ribbon-worthy homemade desserts.
The eclair pie could make the hills of Ireland sing!
Next fish fry: April 4
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monona
Attending the fish fry at IHM feels like going out to a supper club with the whole parish community.
Strings of lights, beautifully set tables, and a friendly hostess waiting to point you in the direction of your table transform the school cafeteria into a dining room worthy of any Madison restaurant.
After finding your table, head to the buffet line for a smile from Fr. Chad Droessler and your choice of seasoned baked fish or IHM’s truly one-of-a-kind beer-battered fish.
Psst: Their secret ingredient is a local beer!
The IHM fish fry also features jumbo fried shrimp and an elegant selection of beer, wine, and soda.
Finish off your meal with a delicious scoop of Chocolate Shoppe ice cream, included in the price of the meal!
Next fish fry: April 11
St. Maria Goretti, Madison
The SMG fish fry feels like a big Catholic block party, where you’ll see everyone from long-time parish volunteers to young families with toddlers to school families coming in across the parking lot from the sixth grade basketball team’s latest victory.
Joke around with Fr. Gabi Lopez and commiserate about youth sports schedules with other parents as you enjoy the crispy fried cod, clam chowder, and fresh rolls from the Mixing Bowl Bakery.
With a family meal price of $48 for two adults and unlimited children, it’s a slam dunk for big families. So load everyone up in the van and make your way to SMG for the next one.
Next fish fries: March 28 and April 11
Easter will be here before we know it, so be sure to stop by a parish fish fry soon!
As for me, after hitting up five fish fries in three weeks, I won’t need to eat for the rest of Lent.
Meg Matenaer is a wife, mom, social media writer, and author residing in the Diocese of Madison.