Fried fish and fried fish sandwiches are offered at hundreds of metro area restaurants. We culled the list to only the places that are a cut above. If you know of a Lenten Friday fried fish dish worth a mention, drop us a line at [email protected]. We’ll update this list as the season progresses.
And be sure to check out our guide to parish fish fries.
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Anthonino’s Taverna
Lenten specials include a fried cod sandwich and lobster ravioli, available every Friday during Lent. The cod is hand cut Icelandic fillets, battered and fried, served on Fazio ciabatta, with lettuce, tomato, onions, and house made tartar sauce. The ravioli are made in house, stuffed with north Atlantic Maine Lobster, prima dulce ricotta, pecorino Romano, and served with a signature brandy cream sauce. 2225 Macklind
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 The G.O.A.T. Brand chips. 2733 Sutton, 314-647-2567.
At lunch and dinner, the restaurant inside the Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton features 8-ounces of beer-battered freshwater white fish, served with thick-cut fries, house-made slaw, and its signature Parisian tartar sauce. 7730 Bonhomme.
Lenten specials are available every Friday of the fish fry season, including baked cod, shrimp sra diavolo, herbed salmon, linguine and clams, fish and chips, and a cod sandwich. 5257 Shaw.
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.
Dressel’s Public House
Ben Dressel’s pub is home to one of the OGs in the local fried fish game. Here, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified Alaskan cod is beer battered to order and served with house made potato chips or fries, tartar sauce, and pickles. Grilled fish tacos made with panko-encrusted Alaskan cod are available as well. “Those two items represent a decent amount of our food sales,” says Dressel. 419 N. Euclid, CWE
Expat BBQ
A fried cod sandwich served with tartar sauce and cabbage slaw is available during Lent. 3730 Foundry Way
Farm Spirit (located inside Blue Jay Brewing)
Available daily during lent, a fried catfish po’boy, breaded with Zapps Voodoo potato chips and served with “shrettuce,” thinly shaved onions, house made garlic dill pickles, and remoulade on a toasted Union Loafers hoagie. 2710 Locust
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.
Grace Meat + Three/Grace Chicken + Fish
Available throughout Lent at both locations, the catfish po’ boy includes cornmeal crusted catfish, lettuce, onions, green tomato relish, and comeback sauce on toasted French bread. 4270 Manchester/8654 Watson
It’s not a special offer, but if you’ve reached your limit on fried cod, King & I’s fried Mango Salmon is topped with shredded green mango, red onion, carrots, and cilantro. A curry version is also available, with red curry sauce, coconut milk, and steamed vegetables. 8039 Dale.
Every Friday through Lent, the Lindenwood Park bakery is offering a fried white fish sandwich on a sourdough brioche bun, 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.
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.
Pastaria
This year, the approachable Italian restaurant from Niche Food Group will be offering a special “Filetti di Baccala,” a battered and fried salt cod fillet served with lemon and will be available through the Lenten season. 7734 Forsyth.
Fish fans are always covered at Session Taco with the OG Baja fish taco, mango habanero shrimp taco, and Baja Fish tacos for the Lenten season. Multiple locations. Multiple locations.
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.
Peacemaker Lobster & Crab
All three locations have a Lenten special on offer: In Benton Park, it’s crispy fried cod, with American cheese, pickles, and house-made tartar on a soft Hawaiian bun, served with Cajun chips. Available lunch & dinner, dine-in only, until sold out. In Kirkwood, consider Octohaze beer-battered Atlantic cod, served with house-made tartar and fries. Available lunch & dinner. And at the Airport, fried flounder with tartar sauce, lettuce, and pickle on a Hawaiian roll, served with house-made chips, is available every day. Multiple locations.
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. Both are $9.95 and available from 11a.m.–3 p.m. every Friday during Lent. Carryout orders can be placed by phone or online. 3801 Watson.
Rockwell Beer Co.
Chef Andrew Cisneros’ Fish Sando is made with tempura-battered cod topped with arugula coleslaw, aioli pickled onions, and a hint of fry sauce. Also on the menu: scampi pizza. Both are available every Friday in Lent. 1320 S. Vandeventer
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.
Schlafly Beer
Its signature Fish & Fries (with Hefeweizen-battered cod, fries, and tartar sauce) is available every day throughout the year. A sandwich version on Texas toast is available every Friday during lent. Multiple locations.
Every Friday until March 27, SqWires is offering a fish fry from 4:30–7 p.m., with both dine-in and pickup available. Options include beer battered white fish or gulf popcorn shrimp (or a combination) with sweet braised onions, a dinner roll, and sides including whipped potatoes, green beans, creamy slaw. Large plates are $21, and small plates are $16; each includes a choice of entrée, sides, and a soft drink. 1415 S. 18th Street.
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.
Sugarfire Smoke House
Pescado Loco Sammy (crazy fish), with fried beer-battered pollock, Cajun slaw, pepper jack, pickles, onions, split top bun, available on Lenten Fridays at all locations. Multiple locations
The Block Restaurant and Butcher Shop
Available on Lenten fridays, beer battered cod, with American, house made lemon-dill tartar sauce, creamy slaw, and garlic-herb French fries. 146 W. Lockwood
Beer battered fried cod and hand-cut fries are offered every Friday during Lent. 2661 Sutton.
Urban Chestnut Brewing Company: On Fridays during Lent, the special is a fried fish sandwich with a Zwickel Light batter, house made pickles, and tartar sauce. 4465 Manchester.
Winslow’s Table: The University City restaurant offers a fried fish sandwich—beer-battered cod or haddock, layered with house-made tartar sauce and American cheese on toasted brioche, available all day. 7213 Delmar.
You may also enjoy:
- Must-try parish fish fries in St. Louis
- Arch Eats Podcast: Where to get your fish fry fix (Note: Published March 2024)
