The Wisconsin Friday Tradition
Everyone around here has heard of a Friday fish fry, right? Duh. It is only when you encounter people from different states or countries that they look at you quizzically when you mention it. My husband, who is not from around these parts, was a complete novice to the idea but soon warmed to it. We partake of this Friday tradition as often as we can and have been trying to mix it up in terms of location. I generally like the spots that: A. Are smoke free (which pretty much limits us to the City of Janesville or else bars/restaurants that have distinctive smoke free sections ); B. Offer baked fish at no extra price (did I mention I’m cheap?); and C. Make a good brandy old fashioned (yes, I AM from Wisconsin). Otherwise, I’m pretty easy to please.
A Friday fish fry was our family treat growing up, and we did it probably once or twice a month. Back then, though, you could get a three piece dinner for about $2.25. Kids up to ten could eat for a dime for each year of age. Great deal for a family that had four kids in five years. And remember when cod was the cheap fish? Now cod has been so overfished and nearly endangered, thus expensive. I still order it, but feel guilty about the environment it if that helps.
I like to discovery what it is that people like about a particular fish fry. Is it the batter—thin, thick, beer batter? Is it the little paper cup of coleslaw? The rye bread? (where did that get started, I wonder?) Or is it the “all you can eat” element that appeals to the big eater?
For me, it’s all about the tartar sauce. I love the stuff. I’d order a tartar sauce sandwich if I thought I could get away with it. When we go out, I generally order baked fish (yes, sacrilege for a fish “fry”) so that way I can have a bit of tartar sauce on the fish without the double layer of calories. I try to do one bad habit at a time instead of stacking them.
What do you look for in a good fish fry? And if you are feeling generous, tell us your favorite spot.
I don’t “fry” fish at home, other than when I too infrequently get fresh pan fish. Those I will gently saute’ in butter with a dusting of flour. I think I could probably eat a dozen bluegills by myself cooked that way. Otherwise, our stay at home Friday night staple is fish stew, a recipe adapted from a restaurant we visited on Edisto Island, South Carolina. It is simple and no fail. Just throw in whatever fish you have. It will be good.
Low Country Fish Stew
1 medium onion, diced fine
1 green bell pepper, diced fine
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 large potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 28 oz can stewed tomatoes, crushed
1 Tbsp Old Bay seasoning
2 lbs of whatever fish you like as long as it smells fresh, not fishy. Shrimp works too.
Salt and pepper to taste
In a sauté pan, cook the onion and pepper in the olive oil until tender, stirring occasionally--about 8-10 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the fish in a medium saucepan and barely cover it with water. Bring up to a boil and cook a couple of minutes until just starting to flake. If foam appears on the top, skim it off. Remove the fish and set aside. Err on the side of under rather than overcooked fish at this point. And save the fish stock you need it!
Add the onion and pepper mixture and potatoes to the fish stock and cook until the potatoes are just beginning to soften. Add about a teaspoon of salt to the water then add the tomatoes and the Old Bay seasoning and continue cooking.
When the potatoes are fork tender, add the fish and heat through. The fish should flake apart easily but not be overcooked.
Serve with crusty garlic bread.
Lisa Parsley is a Janesville native writes about food and cooking for Gazettextra.com. Lisa is a community blogger and is not a part of Janesville Gazette staff. Her opinion is not necessarily that of the Janesville Gazette staff or management.
Mar 26, 2010 at 2:20 p.m.
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Whitewater Pier in Milton went out of business.
Mar 25, 2010 at 9:43 p.m.
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Well, for something a little different--try the Whitewater Pier in Milton. When they serve wild bluegill, you are in for a treat!
Mar 20, 2010 at 6:01 p.m.
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No Fish for me
Mar 19, 2010 at 11:26 p.m.
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I agree with those who say KNUTE'S!! The downstairs is smoke-free, which is a requirement for me also. The upstairs is a regualar bar. I like the Marine Corp League when I'd like salad bar w/ my fish. The Esquire in Madison has Lake Perch for those who were asking.
Mar 19, 2010 at 7:50 p.m.
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Thanks for the tip, hhoufe! The food was amazing! A few of us took your advise and went early to sample the Friday Fish Fry. The baked cod was truly melt-in-your-mouth. The fried cod so lightly coated with such a delicate crust that someone who always douses the fish in tartar sauce barely used any! The cole slaw, baked potato, and hush puppies equally delightful and all for a more than reasonable price. The portions? Just right! Downside? The smoky atmosphere and, as the night went on, crowding and noise. I doubt there would ever be an available seat in the summertime! Others who try Emigails Roadhouse will NOT be disappointed when it comes to good food...
Mar 19, 2010 at 7:27 p.m.
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I read this after supper on Friday night - bad planning.
Our fish soup recipes are similar, but mine includes shrimp, a can of clams and a shocking amount of paprika.
Mar 19, 2010 at 5:52 p.m.
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There are a lot of good fish fryes around so I try them all. As for for the rye bread that was all they served up north (at least around Fond Du Lac) I found more rolls around here. I was told the bread was for the occasional bone as some were not to good at filleting.
Mar 19, 2010 at 4:46 p.m.
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Blue gills at restaurants are raised in a tank at some fish farm down south just as catfish are, all the FNFF's are good if you like their food to each their own ! as stated in the blog it's a tradition EH! Enjoy!!!
Mar 19, 2010 at 3:15 p.m.
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Fish Fry on Good Friday at Milton Masonic Lodge!
$10 adults for cod and smelt, $5 for kids 10 and under.
11am to 7pm
The Lodge is on Vernal
Help us help the community....
Mar 19, 2010 at 3:10 p.m.
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BEST FISH FRY IS ST. PATS SCHOOL. They have fried and baked cod! The breading isn't too thick and is very tasty. It's a buffet for $9 (I think). They also offer chicken strips, cheesy potatoes, french fries, cole slaw, lettuce salad, vegetable, rolls, milk, water, coffee or juice. Call the school to find out when the next one is, 752-2031. It's non-smoking and kids run and play with other kids after dinner.
Mar 19, 2010 at 2:22 p.m.
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St Pat's school has a fish fry next Friday night. Mar 26 at 5:00. All you can eat!
Mar 19, 2010 at 2:06 p.m.
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I'm headed to Glen Erin's (Cursing Stone Pub) for fish tonight.
Mar 19, 2010 at 1:19 p.m.
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Knutes is the best in rock county!!!
Mar 19, 2010 at 12:53 p.m.
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I'm not a fan of fish. But, everyone in the fam seems to agree that Knutes in Orfordville has the best fish fry. My Dad loves their walleye... and he's a true northerner who knows good fish.
Mar 19, 2010 at 12:45 p.m.
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The rye bread comes from the Germanic traditions.
Mar 19, 2010 at 12:26 p.m.
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The BEST walleye F/F is at Knutes, HANDS DOWN!
Mar 19, 2010 at 12:23 p.m.
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Best fish fry I have found is at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish hall in Beloit. Go to the Church front doors and head downstairs.
Baked or Fried Cod, baked potatoes, French Fries, Cole Slaw, Coffee, Milk or Water...all you can eat for $10. Kids are cheaper but I do not know the age limits or their price. They also have fresh baked goods and soda for extra $. VERY tasty!
Mar 19, 2010 at 12:13 p.m.
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I think that the all time best fish is the Blue Gill that Buckhorn Supper Club serves out in Charlies Bluff. If anyone has not yet had it. You should drive out on some Friday night and try some!
Mar 19, 2010 at 11:49 a.m.
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Remember BIG BOY?
I like My Apartments fish. Blue Gills I think it is. Maybe it is perch. It doesn't have to be on Friday.
I like crummy breading I call it.(from crumbs of some sort) Tempura or beer batter isn't my favorite.
twerp- I was going to mention Marine Corp but not sure if it was still good. Is was bad for a long time I hear. Somebody took over a few years ago and they were booming again.
I go to a party ever summer. They catch blue gills during the year. Bread them and fry them. The breading is Bisquick or something like that. Eat so much I get tummy ache.
Mar 19, 2010 at 10:29 a.m.
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Crisp and puffy on the outside, tender and not overdone on the inside. Which means high oil temps.
I'm in the should-have-baked camp, but if I'm going to do a fish fry, I want a fish FRY! Helps that we only go a couple times a year.
Park City has good, reasonable fish fry. Hhhffffrrrg's pardon the spelling, also excellent.
Anyone know the best church fish fry in town?
Mar 19, 2010 at 10:27 a.m.
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I love tartar sauce too! But fishwise it's all about the batter. I'd take light and crusty over dense beer batters any day. The Speakeasy used to have fantastic panko crusted cod on Friday, and the Armory panko tilapia - not sure if they still do? Delicious and crisp, and doesn't make you feel like you've eaten half a box of Bisquick by the time you drive home.
Mar 19, 2010 at 9:53 a.m.
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Bassman : so does that mean your kitchen is open for business tonight for fish fry? Let me know the address and we will be ther at 6pm LOL
Mar 19, 2010 at 9:16 a.m.
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Best Fish Fry in the Area..Emigails Roadhouse Newville WI. Also try the Manhatten clam chowder!
emigailsroadhouse.com
Mar 19, 2010 at 9:07 a.m.
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The best in my opinion is in my kitchen! Fresh bluegills,pike or whatever,of course a half a dozen cold brewskies to wash it down.Kealy's has excellent fish if your out and about for dinner,It's all to pricey anywhere you go.
Mar 19, 2010 at 8:52 a.m.
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The Colonial Club in Darien had the best fish and the best bartender, Patrick, but that was back in the nineties. (Can you tell I am not old!)
Mar 19, 2010 at 8:32 a.m.
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The Avenue Bar in Madison is my favorite. It's always very crowded, but they still have lake perch, or cod if you prefer.
Mar 19, 2010 at 4:23 a.m.
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Mid 60's, 35th & fond du lac, milwaukee. Three
piece's of perch, sweet red cabbage (instead of
cole slaw)and a huge "deep fried" potato pancake
the size of the plate, served on top with a dab
of butter and apple sauce. Make your belly jump
up and smile.
Local spot, "My Apartment,Court & Arch.
Mar 18, 2010 at 8:51 p.m.
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We really enjoyed Benedettis (sp) in Beloit when we lived in the area. Mike Vance made the best Brandy Manhattans on the planet and the fish and cole slaw were great. It's really tough to find a decent fish fry out where we live now. But I'll sacrifice.
Mar 18, 2010 at 8:49 p.m.
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Friday nite fish fry was a MUST in our family. We almost never missed one..except when we went to Florida on vacation (they never heard of it) Even then we tried to find a place that had beer battered/ fried cod. Only came across one place in Florida...the owners were from WI.
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I miss Krauses Town & Country Resturant down town. The Alpine & the old 19th Tee by riverside park. They all had great fish frys.
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Nowdays we like the Marine corp on hwy 51 Beloit, and the Eagle Inn. Where else has a good fish?
Mar 18, 2010 at 8:39 p.m.
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You're right. I'm so old my grandmother used to fry that Wisconsin fish fry at a local bar in Racine. Lake Michigan deep fried perch (no other fish matches it in my mind and now it is so hard to find), cole slaw, rye bread and fries were her specialty. People came from all around, especially my catholic friends during Lent. Wow, I miss that taste. Too bad we polluted Lake Michigan so badly, we don't have the Lake Perch we used to. How green was our valley, how crystal blue was our lake! Ms. Wicket
Mar 18, 2010 at 8:16 p.m.
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The true Wisconsin fish fry was fresh lake perch netted in Lake Michigan and deep fried in a beer batter...served with coleslaw, potato salad or fries, and a slice of rye bread.
Up through the mid to late 60's there was no other choice.
No cod, no broiled, no baked, no other fancy schmancy fish. A few "trend setters" offered lobster and Howard Johnson's started offering clams and shrimp by 1970. Cod got popular as the price of perch went up.
You can tell I'm an old guy when I recall a full perch dinner at a tavern in 1964 was $0.45, beer or soda extra.
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