Must-try parish fish fries in St. Louis

Know of any other parish fish fry worth a mention? Drop us a line at [email protected].

And be sure to check out our guide to restaurants offering specials during Lent.

Most Festive: St. Cecilia Original Mexican Fish Fry

Ask any St. Louisan where to go for the ultimate parish fish fry, and you’ll likely get the same response: St. Cecilia. The Dutchtown neighborhood parish has developed a massive following over the years for its Original Mexican Fish Fry, a Hispanic-inflected celebration that includes chile rellenos, deep-fried quesadillas, and bean tostadas, as well as traditional fish fry fare, such as jack salmon and cod. The lines are notoriously long, but the volunteers offer tamales and margaritas for purchase while you wait. Live music, dancing, and a lively atmosphere makes this more than a fun gathering—it’s a downright fiesta. 5418 Louisiana.

Best Specialty Nights—and Pasta: Assumption-Mattese Catholic Church

Order the typical fish fry fare at Assumption-Mattesse, and you’ll have a lovely time. This South County fry’s calling cards are its specialty theme nights, which allow the parish’s volunteers to flex their culinary muscles. This year, they are offering a New England style lobster po’ boy night (March 14), southwest-style fish tacos (March 28), and a hot honey rockfish sandwich that is sure to be the talk of this year’s fish fry circuit (April 11). Another fun fact about the Assumption-Mattese fry: Bartolino’s not only makes the pasta side dish, but the restaurant has also created a signature pink sauce that you can only find here. 4725 Mattis.

Most Quintessential: St. Ferdinand Parish

Since 1953, this year-round North County tradition has been a pillar of the fish fry circuit, embodying the classic spirit of the event—gymnasium, draft Busch, fried cod, and all. This is a straightforward fry by design; you’ll find well-executed versions of the classics, such as cod, catfish, and shrimp; sides like spaghetti and green beans; and homemade treats made by parishioners that taste all the more sweeter while enjoyed at a long cafeteria table under a basketball net. 1765 Charbonier. 

Best for Catfish With a Side of Bowling: Epiphany of Our Lord

While most parishes are serving their weight in cod on Friday nights during Lent, Epiphany of Our Lord specializes in a different kind of fish: catfish. The Clifton Heights parish is known for its cornmeal-crusted catfish, a deliciously crispy, well-seasoned delight that pairs especially well with its mac and cheese. (This side dish alone is reason to attend.) That you can enjoy this seafood feast adjacent to the church’s bowling alley makes the experience peak St. Louis. 6596 Smiley. 

Best Beverage Program: Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church

With a name like “Fish Fest,” you know Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church’s fry is going to be an all-out extravaganza. And indeed, its comprehensive selection of culinary offerings—fish tacos, Creole baked cod, catfish, and shrimp—do not disappoint. What sets this fry apart from the others, though, is its wonderful bar program. Here, you’ll find the standard beer and wine, but you’ll also find a fully stocked bar from which to order cocktails, as well as Serbian beer. Add to this the fact that dine-in customers are treated to actual flatware and china, and you have the perfect recipe for a wonderful Lenten Friday night. 1910 Serbian.

The Business Lunch Fish Fry: St. Alphonsus “Rock”

When most parish fish fry volunteers are firing up the fryers around 3 p.m., St. Alphonsus the Rock has already had a full day of serving up catfish, jack salmon, and cod. The beloved North Grand Avenue church does things a little differently than other parishes: It runs the fish fry from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., giving folks in search of a Lenten-friendly lunch a wonderful option. This alone is reason to head over to the Rock, but this year, on March 21, the parish will turn its fry into a soul food extravaganza, Lenten-style. 1118 N. Grand.

Best Drive-Thru: St. Mary Magdalen

Lovingly referred to as “God’s Cod,” by those in the know, St. Mary Magdalen’s fish fry is one of the area’s most popular—once you’ve had the delicious namesake dish, with a side of gumbo, you’ll understand why. Another element that this parish gets right: It’s longstanding drive-thru (one of, if not the first in the area), which gives diners the most efficient way to take their Lenten feast to go. 2618 S. Brentwood.

The Other Mexican Fish Fry: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish

The South Side may have St. Cecilia, but North County is also blessed with its own outrageously fun Mexican pescado frito, thanks to the parishioners at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. In addition to the excellent fish tacos, shrimp, and chiles rellenos (the house specialty), you’ll find traditional folkloric dancing and music, provided by students who devote much of their free time to learning the art. 1115 S. Florissant. 

Finest Dining: Holy Spirit Parish

At Holy Spirit in Maryland Heights, there is no talk of fish fries. Here, the Lenten tradition is elegantly referred to as a seafood dinner, with some of the most delicious, hand-cut, hand-breaded cod that you can get on the parish dinner circuit. Pair it with a baked potato, and you have a fine-dining feast, made even more special if you’re the week’s lucky raffle winner, who gets to enjoy a seated, served-on-china feast with seven of your friends at a clothed table. 3130 Parkwood. 

Smoothest Operators: Our Lady of the Pillar 

Our Lady of the Pillar is known for its cod, but just as impressive as its delectable fish is its efficiency. This is because of a two-line setup that allows the volunteers to serve more guests at once, which keeps things moving quickly. Volunteers are also especially good at keeping the food flowing; when one pan runs out, another replaces it. It’s a beautifully choreographed affair. And if that’s not enough to make you want to attend, this is one of the few fries that serves crab rangoon. 401 S. Lindbergh.

You may also enjoy:

• Restaurants where you can get your fish fry fix in St. Louis
• Arch Eats Podcast: Where to get your fish fry fix (Note: Published March 2024)