It doesn’t get more quintessential Wisconsin than a Friday Fish Fry. This practice has two roots, one going back to catholic traditions, particularly around lent and abstaining from eating meat.The other, surprisingly, prohibition. When bars and pubs needed to cut costs from lost alcohol sales, they turned to cheaper food alternatives, such as fish. In Wisconsin specifically, the abundance of two things made fish fry wildly popular: the large catholic population in our European heritage, and being fresh fish-adjacent.
Whether you are abstaining from meat for religious reasons, or you are like me and salivate at the sight of perfectly crispy, golden brown beer-battered fish, potato pancakes, rye bread, and applesauce (when I hear “Friday” it’s Pavlovian), here’s your list of businesses in the North Shore Chamber to visit and indulge on anything that swims on a Friday night.
The Bavarian Bierhaus: A traditional beer hall, many consider the Bierhaus in old Heidelberg park an ‘OG’ of the Milwaukee area given its heavy German heritage and roots with the “Inn”. Today it stands to host biergardens, Oktoberfests, events, and serve crowd favorites of cod, walleye, pierogies and potato pancakes. And if that doesn’t impress, their extensive taplist will.
The Brick Pub & Grill : Strongly rooted in their community and generations of restauranteering, The Brick offers an extensive selection of Friday fish including cod, walleye, salmon, perch, and even a coveted blue gill. Rotating weekly specials and other menu items include donations to local organizations for a cause.
Mallard’s : Located in BAYSHORE and with an elevated southern twist, Mallard’s will still wet your fish fry whistle. This Lent season they are featuring Classic Cod, Midwest Favorite Walleye and Alaskan Flounder. Their menu also features like walleye bites, shrimp & grits, blackened fish tacos, gumbos, pastas, and fried fish sandwiches, The more you look at the menu the more intriguing it looks, Mallard’s is not just a one-time visit, you’ll need to visit often to try every tasty dish.
Pastiche Bistro : On the spectrum of fine dining, when you need a ‘treat yo’ self’ seafood night. Pastiche offers a variety of seafood including escargots, oysters, shrimp, tuna, lobster, salmon, and others, including the occasional fish fry special. What is a French restaurant without wine? That is where their true passion lies
Solly’s Grille : Home of the original Wisconsin Butter Burger, Solly’s in Glendale is as classic as it gets. Once stepping through the door you are instantly brought back in time, greeted by smiling faces who have been there for 30+ years, and enjoy tried and true recipes, Solly’s offers an Old Wisconsin Friday Fish Fry. Their Friday fish fry features hand breaded golden fresh fried cod, choice of homemade potato pancake or fries, cinnamon apple sauce served with Solly’s homemade creamy cole slaw and rye bread.
Dave & Buster’s : Located right by Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa, Dave & Buster’s does feature a Fish & Chips on their menu on any night of the week. When it’s not Friday and that craving for crispy fish hits, a Fish & Chip will always scratch the itch and Dave & Busters certainly does it well. Plus, Dave & Busters offers other chamber members incentives to book events, so they are always there to offer a good menu and a better time.
The season of lent may only last until Easter, but the season of Fish Fry is forever in Wisconsin. Please be mindful of your serving staff and wait times during the busier season, and be sure to continue to support local businesses!
Author: Gwen Eckhardt