Courtesy of Brasserie by Niche
From Brasserie by Niche, beer-battered fried cod, arugula, house pickles, and tartar sauce on a Companion bun
Looking to get the scoop on local parish fish fries? Listen to Episode 9 of our Arch Eats podcast below. Hosts George Mahe and Cheryl Baehr discuss the best fish fries in St. Louis, as well as restaurants offering limited-time Lenten specials.
Lenten specials include a cod sandwich (4-ounce fried or grilled fillet on a brioche bun with choice of sauce) or cod basket (two fillets plus fries). 2700 Olive, 314-571-9367.
Billy G's Kirkwood + Billy G's Chesterfield
On Fridays only, enjoy crab cakes, fish tacos, Italian breaded cod and spaghetti, shrimp scampi, New England clam chowder, and more Lent-appropriate fare. 131 W. Argonne, 1772 Clarkson.
For Lent, the chain has a fish fry platter, fish fry sandwich, kid's fish fry, and fried shrimp. Multiple locations.
Courtesy of Bolyard's Meat & Provisions
Everyday through easter Sunday, Bolyard's will offer a fried cod sandwich topped with pepper jack cheese, bread and butter pickles, green goddess dressing, and bibb lettuce on a brioche bun. The Lenten special comes with a side of fries. 2733 Sutton, 314-647-2567.
Every Friday through Easter, enjoy beer-battered fried cod, arugula, house pickles, and tartar sauce on a Companion bun. 4580 Laclede.
The restaurant inside the Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton puts a Cajun spin on Lent. The crispy fried shrimp po’boy with 16-spice remoulade sauce and fries is available on Lenten Fridays. 7730 Bonhomme.
Lenten specials are available every Friday of the fish fry season, including baked cod, fried calamari, herbed salmon, linguine and clams, fish and chips, and a cod sandwich. 5257 Shaw.
Courtesy of Chicken Scratch
The larger than life fried cod sandwich from Chicken Scratch
Chicken Scratch offers two options on Fridays at both locations: a fried cod sandwich (with shredded lettuce, house-made pickles, and American cheese) and a two-piece platter with fries. City Foundry STL, 3700 Forest Park; 9900 Manchester.
Three new fish dishes appear on the menu at Commonwealth, the restaurant on the ground floor of the Angad Arts Hotel. Try New England Clam Chowder; Classic Fish and Chips with coleslaw; and Blackened Trout with a grilled lemon caper sauce, herbed couscous, and grilled asparagus. The menu regularly features other seafood options, too. 3550 Samuel Shepard.
Courtesy of Gioia's
The King Cod sandwich from Gioia's Deli.
All four locations of the St. Louis classic are offering Lent specials every Friday during Lent. The Classic Fried Cod Sandwich is served on garlic cheese bread, while the King Cod Sandwich spices things up with Old Vienna Red Hot Riplets and mac and cheese. Multiple locations.
Courtesy of King & I
Mango Salmon from King & I Thai Restaurant
It’s not a special offer, but if you’ve reached your limit on fried cod, the Mango Fish at King & I is also Lent-friendly. It’s made with fried salmon and topped with shredded green mango, red onion, carrots, and cilantro. 8039 Dale.
Courtesy of KNEAD Bakehouse + Provisions
Every Friday through Lent, the Lindenwood Park bakery is offering a fried walleye sandwich on sourdough brioche, with tartar sauce, lettuce, shaved onions, plus a pickle and a side of chips. 3467 Hampton, 314-376-4361.
While those legendary lions do typically choose roast beef, there’s another option for them during Lent: The Crispy Cod Sandwich comes on a toasted sesame seed bun with a slice of melted Swiss and tartar sauce. Multiple locations.
LoRusso's Cucina: Fried cod sliders with a side of pasta are offered for Happy “2 Hours” from 5 till 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and Sunday Dine in only. No carry out. 3121 Watson.
Courtesy of Mac's Local Eats
Crawfish po'boy from Mac's Local Eats
Mac’s Local Eats: Once again, crawfish po’ boys are on the menu at Mac’s on Lenten Fridays. The sandwich includes tempura-battered, flash-fried crawfish tails dusted with Red Hot Riplet seasoning, along with shaved cabbage and house-made remoulade. 5656 Oakland.
Courtesy Mission Taco Joint
Jamaican Salmon Tacos from Mission Taco Joint
Fish fans are always covered at Mission Taco Joint with the Mango Hop-Anero Shrimp and Baja Fish tacos, but for the Lenten season, Mission Taco Joint is debuting a new offering: Jamaican Salmon Tacos, featuring a jerk-rubbed fillet in a banana leaf with grilled pineapple pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, habañero aioli, and citrus pickled onions. Multiple locations.
Courtesy of The Parkmoor
Every Friday during Lent, The Parkmoor offers flash-fried cornmeal-dusted cod, served with french fries, house-made tartar sauce, and house made Parkmoor slaw. Make it a platter by adding six fried shrimp. A 6-ounce fried cod filet sandwich served with tartar sauce, lettuce, and tomato on a po-boy bun is also available every day during Lent. 220 W. Lockwood.
At Pickleman’s, there's no fried fish, but tuna salad shows up on the menu for a limited time. The “Big Tuna” is a lightly toasted sandwich with Provolone, lettuce, and tomato. Get the tuna salad as a side if you like. Multiple locations.
Choose from fried cod or grilled grouper, both of which are served with green beans, mashed potatoes, and homemade tartar sauce. It's available from 11a.m.–3 p.m. every Friday during Lent. Carryout orders can be placed by phone or online. 3801 Watson.
Courtesy of Salt + Smoke
The local barbecue juggernaut gets into the fish game every Lenten Friday by offering batter-fried haddock sandwich with cole slaw, house remoulade and a side for $14.99. Dine-in and carryout are available. (Chef/partner Haley Riley says haddock has slightly more flavor than cod, has a smaller flake, and is more tender.) Multiple locations.
Courtesy of SqWires
Every Friday during Lent, the Annex at SqWires is offering a fish fry from 4:30–7 p.m., with both dine-in and pickup options. Large plates are $17, and small plates are $13; each includes a choice of entrée, sides, and a soft drink. 1415 S. 18th Street.
Courtesy of Steve's Hot Dogs
We know what you're thinking...and no, Steve's does not offer fish dogs. But, on Fridays through March, the South Grand hot doggery is offering a fish and chips plate, along with their seasoned, crinkle cut fries. Two cod fillets and fries are priced at $10. 3145 S. Grand, 314-932-5953.
Courtesy of The Blue Duck
Beer battered fried cod and hand-cut fries every Friday during Lent. 2661 Sutton.
Courtesy of Urban Chestnut
Zwickel-battered cod from Urban Chestnut Brewing Co.
Urban Chestnut Brewing Company: At Urban Chestnut, combine an elevated take on fish and chips—two pieces of Zwickel-battered cod, pommes frites, kohlrabi slaw, and house-made tartar sauce—with one of the tempting brews. ($22 with suds, $18 without). The special is available every Friday during Lent. 4465 Manchester.
Courtesy of Winslow's Table and Taqueria Morita
Fried fish sandwich from Winslow's Table; fried fish tacos from Taqueria Morita
Winslow's Table: The University City restaurant will offer a fried fish sandwich—beer-battered cod or haddock and layered with house-made tartar sauce and American cheese on toasted brioche—available for lunch and dinner during fish fry season while supplies last. Bonus: Taqueria Morita's popular fish tacos will also be available on select Fridays at dinner. 7213 Delmar.
Note: If you know of a Lenten Friday fried fish dish worth a mention, drop us a line at gmahe@stlmag.com. We’ll update this list as the season progresses.