Courtesy Grace Meat + Three
Crispy fried fish fillets tossed in buffalo sauce
Fish fry season is here again, and just like last year we’re facing an abridged edition of the Lenten tradition. Unlike this time a year ago, we’re more familiar with the routines of pandemic-era dining, so it’s no surprise to find that 2021-style fish fries involve a combination of curbside pickup and takeout, limited capacity indoor dining, and outdoor dining on heated patios. An alternative to parish fish fries, restaurants across the region are serving up a variety of options.
58hundred: The South City restaurant offers a number of Lent specials every Friday, including fried cod, grilled salmon, and grilled shrimp tacos. The restaurant’s popular Brussels sprout tacos are also available. All meals include coleslaw and a side. Customers can order carryout, dine in, or eat inside the heated tent on the patio. Dine-in seating and pickup are available from 4:30–8:30 p.m. Customers can place orders by emailing alex@theblockrestaurant.com, texting 314-605-4428, or ordering online at 58hundred.com. 5800 Southwest.
Balkan Treat Box: The acclaimed Webster Groves favorite is offering a smoked fish pide special while supplies last. 8103 Big Bend.
The Corner Pub & Grill: The Corner Pub’s fish-centric specials are available through Lent. Get your fish fix with crab cakes, srhimp po’ boys, or the CPG O’ Fish sandwich (crispy white fish served on a brioche bun with American cheese and tartare sauce). A gluten-free take on the CPG O’ Fish is also offered, along with gluten-free fish tacos, as well as fish and chips. Order online for pickup, with indoor dining also available. Multiple locations.
Eckert’s Country Restaurant: Belleville’s pick-your-own family farm and country store is offering a fish fry meal for curbside pickup (and dine in, beginning March 1) every Friday through April 2. The $38 meal feeds four and includes 1.5 pounds of fried cod, served with mac ‘n’ cheese and creamy coleslaw. Place pickup orders online or by calling Eckert’s at 618-233-0513. 951 S. Green Mt., Belleville.
Edibles & Essentials: Beer-battered cod and fries are available on a first come, first served basis from 4–9 p.m. or until items sell out every Friday during Lent. No advance orders. 5815 Hampton.
Grace Meat + Three: Grace’s Buffalo Fried Fish returns, with a rotating selection of fish fried in the restaurant’s signature seasoned flour and tossed in garlic buffalo sauce. The fish is served with a side of buttermilk lime dressing, onions, and dill pickles. Order online for pickup and delivery; indoor dining is also available. 4270 Manchester.
The Greek Kitchen: The Kirkwood restaurant is offering three specials during Fridays beginning at 5 p.m.: plaki (a traditional Greek dish of baked cod served in a tomato sauce with tzatziki and pita), fisherman’s stew (served with Greek salad and crusty bread), and beer-battered fish (with chips and coleslaw). Call ahead to place orders. 343 S. Kirkwood.
Jack Nolen’s: The Soulard bar and restaurant is offering a fish and chips special until Easter, with a fillet of cod served on white bread, and fries, pickles, onions and house made Cajun tartare sauce on the side. 2501 S. 9th.
Lion’s Choice: The popular crispy cod sandwich returns. Made-to-order breaded and fried cod fillets are topped with melted Swiss cheese and creamy tartar sauce and served on a buttery, toasted sesame bun. Available Fridays through April 2. Multiple locations.
Nathaniel Reid Bakery: The award-winning bakery’s Lent special is a tuna fish salad sandwich, offered every Friday throughout Lent. The sandwich starts with a flaky croissant, stuffed with albacore tuna, mayo, Dijon mustard, dill pickles, celery, hard-boiled eggs, and red onion. Call in advance for pickup, or place your order in person. 11243 Manchester.
The Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co.: The Benton Park seafood restaurant’s fried fish sandwich is back. For $12, get fried cod topped with American cheese, pickles, and tartare sauce on a Hawaiian bun, served with Cajun chips. The sandwich is available at lunch and dinner, but supplies are limited. Dine in only. 1831 Sidney.
Pietro's Restaurant: Choose from fried cod or grilled grouper, both of which are $7.95 and served with green beans, mashed potatoes, and homemade tartar sauce. Available for dine in or to go, from 11a.m.–3 p.m. every Friday during Lent. Carryout orders can be placed by phone or online. 3801 Watson.
Pit Stop: Every Friday during Lent, the restaurant on The Hill offers fish specials for carryout or indoor dining. Dishes include grilled shrimp wraps with tomato relish, red harissa sauce, lettuce and Provel; baked cod with herb tomato confit, white wine sauce and brown rice; squid ink linguini with lobster meat, clams, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and lobster sauce; and clam chowder. 2130 Macklind.
Retreat Gastropub: The Central West End restaurant offers a number of Lent-friendly dishes all year round, including smoked salmon dip; smoked salmon tartine; gluten-free Pacific cod with herb butter, red pepper curry, and quinoa; or seared salmon with Parmesan risotto, arugula pistou, and pickled peppers. 6 N. Sarah.
Russell’s On Macklind: The Southampton staple offers two fish specials on Lenten Fridays: fried cod with buttermilk mashed potatoes, garlic green beans, and lemon caper aioli, as well as the classic fish and chips, featuring beer-battered cod, sea salt fries, and caper dill pickle remoulade. Dine-in reservations can be made online. Call ahead for to-go orders. 5400 Murdoch.
Salt + Smoke: The local barbecue favorite offers a $12.99 meal of fish, two sides, and Hawaiian rolls. Dine in and carryout available. Multiple locations.
Schlafly: The classic fish and fries are available for dine in or curbside pickup at all three of the venerable brewery’s locations. Expect fried, Hefeweizen-battered cod served with house-cut French fries with tartar sauce. Each location also offers its own distinct fish dishes. Follow the respective links to place curbside orders online at Schlafly Tap Room, Schlafly Bottleworks, and Schlafly Bankside. Multiple locations.
SOHA Bar & Grill: Mahi fish and chips are available with Parmesan steak fries and tartar sauce. Order online for curbside pickup; dine-in service is also available. 2605 Hampton.
Tucker’s Place: Lobster specials are offered every Friday during Lent, or consider the fried haddock sandwich, a staple of the menu year-round. Multiple locations.
Courtesy Winslow's Table
Winslow's Table Market & Bakery: A beer-battered haddock sandwich with tartar sauce, American cheese, and red cabbage slaw on a brioche bun is available at lunch Wed-Fri and on Friday nights through March. 7213 Delmar.
Yellowbelly: The CWE seafood restaurant's offering a Friday special of lobster taquitos with poblano cream sauce and chihuahua cheese. The dinner menu also currently features everything from pan-seared scallops and seared grouper to lobster rolls and a rum-battered cod sandwich. Reservations for socially distanced dine-in service can be placed online. Carryout is available by ordering online or calling the restaurant at 314-499-1509. 4659 Lindell.
