With Shailah Handy, Kathryn Lavey, Kelly Madison, Howie Magner, Bruce Murphy, Mario Quadracci, Kahara Schabach, Evan Solochek, Alex Vagelatos, Mary Van de Kamp Nohl and Fran Verito.
Wait two hours to be seated. Cheerfully share a table with complete strangers. Flail away on the dance floor next to 3-year-olds. Fish fries will make people do wacky things. Intoxication by fish, you might call it.
What started, history tells us, as a Lenten practice among Catholics has evolved into something very secular and very revered. Beer-battered cod, breaded lake perch or what-have-you paired up with potato of some kind (preferably pancakes with applesauce), coleslaw (easy on the mayo), tartar sauce and rye bread. Nothing could be finer. Or more serious. Food fads have come and gone, but the fish fry has stayed.
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8 Comments
A rally great list with one BIG exception, and that is not including Wegner's St. Martin's Inn in Franklin. This place has long had a truly excellent fish fry,(we think it is above Irv'sMug in quality, and that is saying a lot!)It is a tremendoulsy popular place, it is just packed from 4:3o til closing every Friday! It absolutely should be on the list, we cannot beleive you left it out.
You may want to add to your list of great fish fryes, Nardo's, Germantown. great cod, fried or broiled. Outstanding potato pancakes (nice and crisp). Also walleye and occasional specials featuring bluegill or perch and other seafood. And don't forget The Bear, also very good.
What about baked or broiled fish alternatives? Many places have them, but many places that do have poor flavor. Since Heinemanns closed, I don't know where to get my baked fish fix while everyone else gets their fry.
For baked fish, try Amelia's on Layton Avenue across from the airport. We went with our neighbor and she (a Norwegian!) loved the baked cod. Plus they have homemade potato chips AND a nonsmoking section. Gets very crowded after about 5 p.m.
Another vote for Wegners in St. Martins (right next to Franklin.
They have a great variety and its all cooked perfectly!
I do not understand how Turner's gets on this list every time. Their fish fry is overpriced and mediocre. Plus, they charge extra for potato pancakes! LAME! With so many fantastic fish fries in and around Milwaukee, it's time to cut out the places that aren't up to snuff!
PS Butler Inn on Hampton has an outstanding fish fry. So does Casablanca on Brady and where else can you watch belly dancers while enjoying your fish and waffle fries?!?
Trying to eat healthy is always a challenge when it comes to fish fries. Marx Pioneer Inn in Muskego has the BEST BAKED fish, either Cajun or Dill. The portion is more than any man can eat and the service is great as well. Very friendly people.
Marx Pioneer? It wasn't even all you can eat. I would have needed to order at least 2 more plates.