Maureen Wallenfang
Post Crescent
Published 8:18 AM EST Feb 25, 2020
There is no such thing as the best place to get fish on Friday night in the Fox Cities.
There are 46 best places.
An informal reader poll this past week asked “Where’s the best fish fry?” in anticipation of the start of Lent.
Readers named nearly four dozen favorites across the Fox Cities and around Lake Winnebago.
It proves that a lot of restaurants know their way around a fryer.
Top picks went from supper clubs and sports bars to hole-in-the-wall taverns and church basements.
The top 10: Van Abel’s of Hollandtown, Mark’s East Side and Rookie’s in Appleton, BayPoint Bar & Grill and ICU Bar & Grill in Neenah, Dick & Joan’s in Grand Chute, Skyview Club in Kaukauna, Kountry Bar north of Appleton, Hometown Grill in Shiocton and SS Peter & Paul Catholic church in Hortonville.
Even if their choices didn’t make the top ten, readers were passionate about why they deserved to be mentioned.
“I vote for Spats. Every week is something different. They have the old standbys, perch, etc, but they also switch it up with a more modern take. Sometimes it’s salmon with a risotto, or a Cajun-inspired shrimp dish,” wrote reader Rob Molskeness. “For a traditional tavern fish fry you have to vote for the one closest to your home so you don’t have far to drive home after a couple old fashioneds. I mean, really, if I did a blind taste test on deep fried perch from 10 fish fries, most folks couldn’t tell the difference. The difference is in the atmosphere, the service and the folks you’re with. That being said, my vote is for the Flagstone.”
“I hate voting for them,” he added, “because if more people know about them I’ll have to wait longer to get my grub on.”
Kaukauna resident Anne Caylor sent in what has to be the most Wisconsin quote of the day in her praise for the grilled haddock at K-Town Sports Bar & Grill. “They have such nice portions that I always have some leftover for breakfast on the weekend,” she said.
Yes, breakfast.
Reader Gary Petersen was among a number who picked BayPoint Bar & Grill in Neenah. Not counting churches, he said it was his favorite.
“We’ve never had a bad meal there. The fish has always been very well cooked. Their menu includes perch, haddock, walleye and bluegill in addition to shrimp and scallops,” he said. “They only have a handful of tables, so getting seated in a timely manner is sometimes a challenge, but we usually only need to wait 15 minutes or so.”
A number of readers advised getting to fish fries early (before 5:30 p.m.) or late (after 7:30 p.m.). If you arrive in between, expect to wait an hour or more at the most popular places.
SS Peter & Paul in Hortonville got the most votes in church fish fries. Its fans praised its potato salad and home-made desserts. “You can get your dessert and eat it first, like I do. But eat it fast because your plate of fish comes out super fast once you order,” said parishioner Betty Leonhard.
Others picked St. Edward’s Parish in Mackville and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Menasha.
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The perch shortage is forcing some restaurants to find substitutes. Mark’s East Side, for example, subs in baby pike. Electric City Lanes in Kaukauna offers deep-fried bluegill in its place.
Restaurants switch to other fish specials as yellow perch supplies dry up for Lent
Readers said they’ve found perch at Club Tavern in Menasha, Bee Hive in Vinland, Dairyland Brew Pub in Appleton, Dick & Joan’s in Grand Chute and BayPoint in Neenah.
Capital Centre has been able to get lake perch, but in limited quantities, said Josh Berman, co-owner/head chef. “Should have enough to get through Lent, but there will be only a certain amount breaded to serve each week.”
Like others restaurateurs facing shortages, he’s hoping customers will be just as happy with walleye, bluegill, haddock and cod.
Contact reporter Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @wallenfang.
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