#CLFFC Wrap-up: Week Five Above: Fish Fry at Edgewater Lounge, Chicago. Well, weeks three and four were a bust—mostly because life got busy. I had high hopes for Week 5 — there were a couple of church fries happening on the 23rd: an Elvis-themed one at St Ferdinand’s on the West side and St Gregory’s 10th annual fry in the Andersonville neighborhood. Since the other two #CLFFC members had a party to go to on the North side, we decided on the latter church fry. I went to St Gregory’s fish fry last year, and had a blast. The church basement had a makeshift beer bar (read: old guys fishing beer out of big buckets of ice), live entertainment, raffles, and of course, some quality fry. But when we approached St Gregory’s last Friday, it was dark. Nary a clue of the fish fry that was there last year (upon further review, I saw that the St Gregory’s online event calendar said it was taking place at the high school down the street — but there was absolutely no signage about it around the church — how strange!). Defeated, we walked across the street to the Edgewater Lounge, a favorite local watering hole, and had their AYCE fish fry. It’s a good fish fry, but it’s available year-round at Edgewater, and I was hoping for a different venue. Alas, the search continues ….Tonight’s fish fry will be a little half-assed: To-go from Snappy’s Shrimp House in North Center. Next week, I may say, “Fuck it all” and actually go to Wisconsin for the final Lenten fry.
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#CLFFC Wrap-up: Week Five

Above: Fish Fry at Edgewater Lounge, Chicago.

Well, weeks three and four were a bust—mostly because life got busy. I had high hopes for Week 5 — there were a couple of church fries happening on the 23rd: an Elvis-themed one at St Ferdinand’s on the West side and St Gregory’s 10th annual fry in the Andersonville neighborhood. Since the other two #CLFFC members had a party to go to on the North side, we decided on the latter church fry. I went to St Gregory’s fish fry last year, and had a blast. The church basement had a makeshift beer bar (read: old guys fishing beer out of big buckets of ice), live entertainment, raffles, and of course, some quality fry.

But when we approached St Gregory’s last Friday, it was dark. Nary a clue of the fish fry that was there last year (upon further review, I saw that the St Gregory’s online event calendar said it was taking place at the high school down the street — but there was absolutely no signage about it around the church — how strange!). Defeated, we walked across the street to the Edgewater Lounge, a favorite local watering hole, and had their AYCE fish fry. It’s a good fish fry, but it’s available year-round at Edgewater, and I was hoping for a different venue. Alas, the search continues ….

Tonight’s fish fry will be a little half-assed: To-go from Snappy’s Shrimp House in North Center. Next week, I may say, “Fuck it all” and actually go to Wisconsin for the final Lenten fry.

#CLFFC Wrap-up: Week Two Here’s a quick snapshot of our fish fry at the Irish American Heritage Center from last Friday. A full wrap up is coming soon! UPDATE 3/16/12: So, I’m back from what Jon Langford calls “the tequila puddle” that is South By Southwest — which is why there’s been radio silence on this blog for much of the week. I’ve been paralyzed by the number of emails in my work in-box upon my return … ANYWAY, my long overdue wrap-up of the Irish American Heritage Center’s lenten fish fry is as follows: Sigh … it seems the “Wisconsin”-style fish fry we set out to find in Chicago remains elusive. But the fish fry at the Irish American Heritage Center on the city’s northwest side was an improvement from the ho-hum Irish fry we picked up the previous week at the Abbey Pub. Located just a short walk from the Montrose Blue Line stop in the Mayfair neighborhood, the IAHC is located in handsome, early 20th century school building — which is fitting since it serves to educate young Irish-Americans with dance and music classes (I saw many kids running through the halls with fiddles). The IAHC fish fry (which takes place every Friday during Lent) is located in the dance hall adjacent to the Fifth Province Pub (Where you can grab a Guinness or a proper Snakebite on draught!). For $12, the all-you-can-eat fry features fried cod, french fries, coleslaw and the Irish staple, mushy green peas (this Kraut skipped those, but enjoyed the Irish whiskey). While this wasn’t the lake-fish and rye bread fry I’ve been hopelessly looking for in the city — it was certainly closer to what I’ve been searching … because, what it lacks food-wise in Midwestern fish fry authenticity, it makes up in authentic Midwestern community.After the communal dining tables were folded away around 9p, our dining room became the dance floor once again. A folk band took the stage (playing Irish standards, natch) and dozens of fish fry goers filled the room to dance Irish do-si-dos. More neighbors chatted in the pub, which is dark and cozy rathskeller, serving $5 draughts of Irish beers thru 12:30am. Overall, the IAHC fish fry gets an enthusiastic thumbs up for its inviting, friendly confines of its community. But the search continues for that Wisconsin-style fish fry …
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#CLFFC Wrap-up: Week Two

Here’s a quick snapshot of our fish fry at the Irish American Heritage Center from last Friday. A full wrap up is coming soon!

UPDATE 3/16/12:

So, I’m back from what Jon Langford calls “the tequila puddle” that is South By Southwest — which is why there’s been radio silence on this blog for much of the week. I’ve been paralyzed by the number of emails in my work in-box upon my return …

ANYWAY, my long overdue wrap-up of the Irish American Heritage Center’s lenten fish fry is as follows:

Sigh … it seems the “Wisconsin”-style fish fry we set out to find in Chicago remains elusive. But the fish fry at the Irish American Heritage Center on the city’s northwest side was an improvement from the ho-hum Irish fry we picked up the previous week at the Abbey Pub.

Located just a short walk from the Montrose Blue Line stop in the Mayfair neighborhood, the IAHC is located in handsome, early 20th century school building — which is fitting since it serves to educate young Irish-Americans with dance and music classes (I saw many kids running through the halls with fiddles).

The IAHC fish fry (which takes place every Friday during Lent) is located in the dance hall adjacent to the Fifth Province Pub (Where you can grab a Guinness or a proper Snakebite on draught!). For $12, the all-you-can-eat fry features fried cod, french fries, coleslaw and the Irish staple, mushy green peas (this Kraut skipped those, but enjoyed the Irish whiskey). While this wasn’t the lake-fish and rye bread fry I’ve been hopelessly looking for in the city — it was certainly closer to what I’ve been searching … because, what it lacks food-wise in Midwestern fish fry authenticity, it makes up in authentic Midwestern community.

After the communal dining tables were folded away around 9p, our dining room became the dance floor once again. A folk band took the stage (playing Irish standards, natch) and dozens of fish fry goers filled the room to dance Irish do-si-dos. More neighbors chatted in the pub, which is dark and cozy rathskeller, serving $5 draughts of Irish beers thru 12:30am.

Overall, the IAHC fish fry gets an enthusiastic thumbs up for its inviting, friendly confines of its community. But the search continues for that Wisconsin-style fish fry …

#CLFFC Wrap-up: Week One

The first rule of Chicago Lenten Fish Fry Club: No one talks about Chicago Lenten Fish Fry Club.

Just kidding! Tell EVERYONE about #CLFFC!

No, the first rule of #CLFFC is CALL AHEAD.

We were totally stoked to kick off the inaugural meeting of #CLFFC at McGill’s on the Northwest side. Per a tip over at the LTHForum, I was told McGill’s has a pretty decent Midwest style fish fry. It must be really good, because upon our arrival around 7:30p, we were told they were out of fish. And ran out of fish at 2pm. D’oh. (We were able to send a May Day text to other members who had not yet made it to McGill’s so folks could make a Plan B — we’ll have a review from #CLFFC member Brian on Lincoln Tavern’s fish fry later this week).

Happily, we discovered that McGill’s is a very friendly bar (despite being a Sox bar) with a nice selection of craft beers ($3 on Thursdays!) and a cozy environment. Several #CLLFC members made note to visit them again, fish fry or not.

Our Plan B was The Abbey Pub’s “Green Room,” which was recently subjected to a hideous TV-show makeover. We all ordered the Abbey’s fish fry, which was beer-battered cod and a side of fries. They get points for having a decent tartar sauce, but overall, the first Fish Fry Friday was kind of a bust. Hopefully, this week’s trip to the Irish American Heritage Center will make up for last week’s fish fry sadness.

In other good news, #CLFFC buttons have arrived! Come join us at the next meeting to get one, or email me your mailing address and I’ll send one to you. I just ask that you REP-RE-SENT #CLFFC by wearing it to your next fish fry dinner.

And our first #CLFFC tip has come in! St Andrew’s in North Center will host a fish fry this Friday, February 24. Thanks, Michael, for sending this along!
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And our first #CLFFC tip has come in! St Andrew’s in North Center will host a fish fry this Friday, February 24. Thanks, Michael, for sending this along!

Lapsed Midwestern Catholics, rejoice! The Chicago Lenten Fish Fry Club has arrived

Thanks to AV Club Chicago for dedicating some digital column inches on spreading the word about our feeble fish fry club!

CLFFC BadgeIn other news, there will be official #CLFFC badges given out to everyone that attends a meeting … they won’t be ready for our inaugural meeting on Friday at McGill’s, but expect them on hand for the March 2 meeting at the Irish American Heritage Center. That way if you run into a fellow #CLFFC member on the street, you’ll be able to ID them and give them the proper tip of the hat. If you can’t attend a meeting but still want to declare your love for the fish fry, email me at the address to the right, and I’ll send you a badge.

ANATOMY OF A MIDWESTERN FISH FRY. “Today, four out of five restaurants in Wisconsin offer fish fries, which can account for up to three-quarters of their Friday business.” [Via]
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ANATOMY OF A MIDWESTERN FISH FRY. “Today, four out of five restaurants in Wisconsin offer fish fries, which can account for up to three-quarters of their Friday business.” [Via]

TGIF

Growing up Catholic in Chicago (but not necessarily faithfully practicing it … I was raised “Fair Weather” Catholic, attending mass on major holidays and CCD only through 5th grade), on Fridays during Lent our dinners became fish sticks instead of sausage pizza. I wasn’t quite sure why were weren’t supposed to eat red meat on Fridays during Lent—we just didn’t. I actually kind of liked those frozen fish sticks … which seemed to be a staple in every mid-1980s, middle-class Midwestern mom’s dinner rotation (maybe it still is … I don’t have kids to feed, thankfully). I think it was mostly for the savory cocktail sauce that came out for special occasions.

But it wasn’t until I moved to Madison, Wisconsin for college that I was introduced to the true Midwestern fish fry. Of course, it’s probably more of a ‘Sconnie thing, than a Catholic thing up there, but I fell in love. The beer-battered lake perch or cod, the cool tartar sauce, the tangy coleslaw, the slice of rye bread with a generous smear of real butter, the choice of potato (mashed, fried, homestyle, pancaked, whatever) … usually enjoyed with a beer or a whiskey-Coke in one of the city’s handful of 1960s-style supper clubs (like the Esquire) or in the makeshift dining room of a men’s social club. Anyway, I was hooked … the food, the ambiance, the community … what better way to spend a Friday night that to eat fried fish amongst your neighbors?

It’s almost puzzling that the Friday Night Fish Fry—as a Midwestern experience*—is nearly impossible to find in Chicago. The Wisconsin border isn’t that far away … and the presence of men’s social clubs, while fewer and fewer exist, are still found in Chicago’s neighborhoods. And of course, there is the city’s ginormous population of Catholics (whether practicing or not).

Thus, the Chicago Lenten Fish Fry Club was born in 2012 (there are two members total at this point—myself, and another UW-Madison alum and good ol’ Midwestern boy that comes via the East Coast). Our goal is to seek out the city’s best fish fries during this Lenten season. Membership is open to all (and not to worry, it’s non-denominational).

Our first meeting will be held at (per a tip via the LTH Forum):

Friday, February 24, 2012
McGill’s Bar and Grill, 7pm
4553 N. Pulaski Avenue
http://mcgillsbarandgrill.com/

* There are plenty of English-style fish and chip options within the city limits, but that is not what our tummies and hearts pine for at this time.