The Lenten season is right around the corner, which means fish fries in Wisconsin are about to pop up on menus. Check out some of our favorite spots!
The Lenten season is nearly upon us, which in Wisconsin means Friday night fish fries practically become religion. Fish fries and anything beer-battered are pretty commonly found all around the state year-round, but for 40 days in early spring, it’s a special feature on many menus.
For those who didn’t grow up observing Lent, let’s take a quick dive into the season. The Lenten season runs for 40 days, representing the time Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness and enduring temptation. Today, people practice this tradition by giving up something for Lent (growing up, in our very Catholic household, it was TV—talk about a long 40 days). However, another long-standing tradition is giving up meat on Fridays, hence all the fried fish.
Of course, here in Wisconsin, we love an opportunity to deep-fry anything (have you seen our State Fair?), so why would our fish fries be any different? Whether you’re looking for a few delicious fish options to try for the first time or it’s part of your practice for the upcoming Lenten season, we found 10 of the best fish fries to try in Wisconsin.
Hale House
10539 West Forest Home Avenue, Hales Corners
Open daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Hale House in Hales Corners serves its fish fry on Wednesdays and Fridays. This delicious menu includes clam chowder, baked or fried cod, bluegill, lake perch, or the fish monger—a combination of all three!
Lakefront Brewery
1872 North Commerce Street, Milwaukee
Open daily Monday to Thursday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Get ready to enjoy a great fish fry and polka to your heart’s content at Lakefront Brewery from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays. Reserve a table (only available from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. during Lent) and enjoy live music from the Breshaus Polka Kings. The menu features fish fry baskets, dinners, or even a fish fry family pack for larger parties.
Joey’s Yardarm
920 Erie Street, Racine
Open daily – Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Joey’s Yardarm in southeastern Wisconsin does a fish fry right. Available seven days a week, the menu offers cod, walleye, perch, shrimp, or a combo on the Captain’s Platter (only on Wednesdays), if you’re looking for a wider variety.
Kegel’s Inn
5901 West National Avenue, West Allis
Open Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Kegel’s Inn self-proclaims to have the best fish fry in Milwaukee. It claims the title not just because of its exceptional quality fish and delectable crisp breading, but because of the incredible sides and drinks that are truly Wisconsin, and the community atmosphere. Uniquely, there’s a drive-thru option for the fish fry, or you can even reserve a spot for “Lent in the Tent“—a heated yurt situation at its beer garden.
St. Paul Fish Company (two locations)
Milwaukee Public Market (Downtown) 400 North Water Street, Milwaukee
Open: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
600 West Mequon Road, Mequon
Open daily 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Visit one of two St. Paul Fish Company locations in either downtown Milwaukee or Mequon. Both locations offer menus full of fantastic flavor and anything fish lovers could want. Both locations offer cod, lake perch, grouper, catfish, walleye, and jumbo shrimp on their fish fry menus.
The Hitching Post Bar & Grill
4849 Glidden Drive, Sturgeon Bay
Open Thursday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sundays, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fish fry Friday is on at The Hitching Post Bar & Grill from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. You can start off with craveable cheesecurds and enjoy with your choice of pan-fried walleye or perch, shrimp tacos, or grilled shrimp.
Bootleggers Lodge
2001 Indian Pine Point Drive, Tomahawk
Open Thursday to Monday with dinner beginning at 4 p.m. (visit here to reserve)
Bootleggers Lodge isn’t just a restaurant with a great fish fry—it’s also a gorgeous place to stay for a weekend away in Northern Wisconsin. If you’re looking for a more formal (fancy) experience, this is the place to go. On the menu under “Weekends in Wisconnsin,” you can try the Friday fish fry with a cod or walleye option.
The Baileys Harbor Cornerstone Pub
8123 State Highway 57, Baileys Harbor
Open daily, Sunday to Thursday, 11 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 p.m. to 9 a.m.
The Baileys Harbor Cornerstone Pub has long been the place to visit with good friends for good food and a great Friday fish fry. The menu featured five different types of fish (perch, walleye, shrimp, haddock, or whitefish) prepared in all kinds of ways, including pan-fried, deep-fried, beer-battered, or Cajun-style.
Kitty’s Irish Pub
59 East Oak Street, Sturgeon Bay
Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
At Door County’s only Irish Pub, you’ll find more than 16 beers on tap—you’ll also find a fabulous fish fry Friday menu. From a classic fish and chips meal to several different baskets (including bluegill, perch, or shrimp), there’s a little something for everyone.
Mibb’s & Viv’s
7300 North Lannon Road, Lannon
Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
In 2019, Mibb’s & Viv’s won Best Milwaukee Area Fish Fry. The Friday menu features all things fish fry, including haddock, cod, walleye, and shrimp. The tradition began back in 1945, and generations later, it is still going strong.
