15 Michigan Carryout Fish Fry Stops Locals Trust For Hot, Crispy Lake Perch
I’m a snob. My grandmother treated perch frying like a liturgical art form, and I’ve spent years side-eyeing every soggy, over-breaded disappointment masquerading as a “shoreline classic.” I’m that guy, the one poking the batter with a fork, looking for the specific, glass-shattering crunch that only comes from a fryer screaming at the perfect temperature.
Most carryout joints are a crime against the Great Lakes, but a few renegade spots have finally managed to quiet me. We’re talking about paper bags so saturated with heat and salt they practically vibrate in the passenger seat, containing fillets that would actually make my grandmother consider sharing her secret recipe.
Hunt down Michigan’s elite lake perch carryout, where artisanal fryers and secret-recipe batters deliver the most authentic, crispy shoreline experience outside of a family kitchen.
If you’re tired of “tourist fish” and want the high-velocity, salt-flecked reality of a local favorite, you’ve arrived.
1. Atlantic Fish Market
You hear the soft rattle of ice cases before the fryer’s hiss, a promising soundtrack at Atlantic Fish Market, 18422 Conant St, Detroit, MI 48234. The counter feels neighborly, with handwritten signs nudging you toward the fresh stuff and a steady hum of regulars exchanging quick nods. Perch leaves the oil pale gold, edges corrugated and fragile, tossed with a whisper of salt that wakes up lemon.
Portions lean honest rather than oversized, letting the fish stay center stage without heavy breading. A short history lesson sits in the cases, too, with Great Lakes fillets lined like bookmarks from past seasons. Order ahead on Fridays and you’ll skip the bottleneck, then crack the lid in your car to catch that perfect first wisp of steam.
The slaw plays crisp, not sugary, and the tartar runs herbier than most, which keeps bites clean. Fries ride shotgun, steady and unfussy. If you like a crunch that shatters without greasiness, this is a dependable Detroit stop for carryout perch that travels beautifully.
2. The Grand Rapids Fishery
A line forms early at The Grand Rapids Fishery, 1116 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, and the rhythm is efficient without feeling rushed. You watch baskets lift from the fryer like little golden elevators, draining just long enough to keep the coating crisp. The room smells like clean oil and fresh fillet, a reassuring combo.
They keep a foot in local history by sourcing Great Lakes fish when available, then balancing tradition with sensible tweaks. Perch arrives lightly dusted, never entombed, so the delicate sweetness stays intact. Ask about rye bread when you order, a nod to classic Midwest fish fry ceremony that adds welcome chew.
My tip: call ahead on Lenten Fridays, then show up right on time because they pack orders fast and hot. The slaw tilts tangy, cutting through richness, and the lemon gets squeezed twice for brightness. Each box rides home smelling like lake breezes and clean fryers, which is exactly the point.
3. Fat Man’s Fish Fry
The crunch at Fat Man’s Fish Fry, 6450 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, is a little louder than most, like biting into late autumn. Batter clings thin, then crackles as the fillet flakes away. The counter crew works with practiced speed, tap-tap-tapping baskets before the handoff.
Opened with a simple idea of fast, fresh seafood, the place still honors that lane. Perch gets seasoned, dipped, and dropped to order, so carryout stays lively, not limp. There is a small history on the menu board about their classics, which hints at why regulars stack in on Fridays.
Grab extra lemon and a second tartar; the fries soak up a little brine-kissed oil in a good way. Parking is easy, and the handoff window keeps everything moving. If you like a box that stays hot for the whole drive home, this shop nails the timing.
4. Redamak’s
At Redamak’s, 616 E Buffalo St, New Buffalo, MI 49117, the beach-town carryout energy sneaks into everything. While the burger is famous, locals know the perch plate lands with equal swagger. Fillets arrive crisp along the edges, tender inside, and gently seasoned to leave room for lemon.
There is decades-deep history on these walls, a family-run spot that grew with summer traffic and held fast through winters. The fish fry keeps the batter whisper-thin so you taste lake first, fryer second. Order on shoulder hours to avoid the weekend crush, then walk out with a bag that warms your hands.
The slaw is classic diner-style, creamy but balanced, and a good foil for the crunch. Chips or fries both work, though chips stay crisper on a longer ride. Expect a little shoreline nostalgia in every bite, the uncomplicated kind that makes you nod and keep eating.
5. The Landing Restaurant
The Landing Restaurant, 10231 Ferry Ave, Charlevoix, MI 49720, feels like a dockside postcard the moment you pull up. Even in a to-go box, the perch tastes like open water and clean breezes. The breading runs feather-light, brushing the fish instead of burying it.
There is a gentle local lineage here, feeding boaters and road trippers since way before phone cameras. The kitchen times batches so moisture stays in the fillet while the exterior turns brittle and bright. Ask for extra lemon wedges and their house tartar to keep textures lively through the drive.
Pickup is smooth, with a side door that spares you dining-room traffic on busy nights. The slaw has celery seed and bite, a solid companion for rich edges. You will probably take the first bite in the parking lot, then pretend you waited until you reached the overlook.
6. Four Star Grille
Four Star Grille at 19315 Haggerty Rd, Northville, MI 48167 has a calm, suburban hum that rewards patience. The fryer work is tidy, and the crew checks each basket with a quick glance that reads like experience. Perch emerges delicate, shimmering under a salt flurry that catches the light.
The place grew from a family-leaning menu, and the fish fry sits among their most ordered carryout items. They use a restrained coating, closer to a seasoned dredge than a heavy batter, which lets the fillets stay expressive. Ask for the lemon to be packed separately; it prevents soggy corners on longer rides.
Fries skew seasoned and sturdy, while slaw steers cooler and mildly tangy. Online ordering helps on Fridays, when the parking lot churns. If you appreciate a box that looks composed rather than chaotic, this kitchen tucks every piece with care.
7. Lakeside Cafe
Morning light slants across Lakeside Cafe, 1503 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441, where takeout fish rides out with beach traffic. The room smells like coffee early and clean fryers by noon, a pleasant two-act day. Perch lands with crisp shoulders and a soft middle, paced by a lemon wedge that actually does its job.
This cafe has been a neighborhood stop for years, folding lake-town rhythms into the menu. Their perch uses a seasoned flour dredge, not a heavy batter, preserving sweetness and gentle brine. Rye bread shows up if you ask, a nod to old-school Midwest plates.
Call in before the lunch rush and you will be out in minutes, box still whispering heat. Slaw swings light and peppery, a practical countermeasure to fried richness. You might eat on a dune overlook or in a parked car, and both feel right with this fish.
8. Ludington Meat Company
It surprises newcomers that Ludington Meat Company, 3815 US-10, Ludington, MI 49431, turns out a sharp little fish fry from a butcher shop. That cross-discipline focus shows in technique: hot oil, quick drain, minimal handling. The fillets exit crisp with a faint pepper tickle.
History here revolves around sourcing and stewardship, so the fish gets the same respect as steaks in the case. A light flour dredge forms micro-bubbles that crunch without heaviness, letting the perch whisper its lake note. Grab a lemon to-go and one of their house sauces for dipping experiments.
Parking is abundant, and weekend timing matters, so order online if possible. The slaw keeps cabbage sturdy and dressing thin, perfect for stacking into a leftover roll later. If your road trip needs a detour that packs neatly into a cooler, this box holds up impressively well.
9. Jerzi’s 41
Jerzi’s 41, 11392 US-31, Ellsworth, MI 49729, greets you with a northwoods friendliness that takes the edge off any wait. Music hums low, fryers sing louder, and the flow from kitchen to counter stays steady. Perch comes out lacquered with delicate bubbles that signal spot-on oil temperature.
The backstory is a family-run place leaning into solid roadside comforts. Their fish fry respects that lane with a short ingredient list, clean seasoning, and a decisive drain. Ask for extra lemon and a side of vinegar to punch through richness if that is your style.
Carryout is quick, with boxes taped and labeled so car picnics stay orderly. Fries are thicker cut, built for dipping, and slaw brings a cool snap. On a cool evening, cracking the lid in the lot sends up a curl of steam that smells like vacation starting now.
10. Lucky’s PrimeTime
Lucky’s PrimeTime at 3555 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 has a retro glow that makes waiting feel oddly cheerful. The fryer crew moves with metronome focus, tapping baskets until each fillet looks air-light. Perch tastes clean, salt-forward, with a finish that hints at butter without heaviness.
Locals talk about long-standing Friday rhythms here, and the kitchen keeps those promises. Breading is restrained and consistent, so you can count on shatter without oiliness. If history matters, you will appreciate how they keep the classic plate structure intact.
Tip: request lemon and tartar on the side and leave the lid cracked during the drive to save crunch. Slaw has a mild sweetness and celery crunch, balancing the salty edges. This is the kind of carryout that disappears one fillet at a time before the TV is even on.
11. O’Brien’s Crabhouse
O’Brien’s Crabhouse, 621 S Opdyke Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326, wraps East Coast vibes around Midwest fish fry instincts. Nautical trinkets surround a serious fryer, and it shows in the fillet texture. The perch carries a crisp shell that breaks quietly, revealing delicate flakes.
Opened in the 1990s, the restaurant leans on classic seafood technique while keeping the local perch central. The breading is finely textured, more whisper than coat, allowing lemon and tartar to star. Ask about rye bread and extra slaw to round out a traditional plate.
Carryout runs like a dock crew on Fridays, so order a bit early and pick up right on the quoted minute. The slaw is cool and lightly dill-scented, which plays well with the fish. Expect to snack a fillet in the car, then pretend it never happened when you plate dinner later.
12. Keeper’s Fish Shack
Keeper’s Fish Shack at 7 N State St, St. Ignace, MI 49781 gives you ferry-scented air with your order. The shack setup makes the fryers the stage, and baskets rise shining like trophies. Perch gets a thin, craggy coat and a saline sweetness that nods at the Straits.
There is a seasonal heartbeat here, with summer crowds teaching the team precise speed. History reads like postcards: travelers, anglers, and quick dinners before sunset drives. Ask for extra napkins and a lemon or two tucked into the corner of the box.
Pickup is walk-up simple, and parking turns over quickly between sailings. Slaw stays cool and crisp, not mayo-heavy, so bites feel bright. If you head to a lookout, the fish somehow tastes better with gulls heckling from the railing and the wind folding into the steam.
13. Reds At Thousand Oaks
Reds at Thousand Oaks, 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 pairs a manicured view with an unexpectedly great carryout perch. The dining room leans polished, but the to-go game is warm and unfussy. Fillets wear a fine, crisp jacket that keeps every edge articulate.
The kitchen’s technique shows in tiny details: well-sieved dredge, steady oil, and exact resting time. Perch flavor stays bright, with seasoning tuned to lemon and a dill-forward tartar. Their golf-course lineage dates back a bit, and the menu has evolved without losing the Midwest heart.
Call ahead before twilight tee times flood the lot. Slaw carries apple notes, which lift the richness nicely. Once home, plate it fast, or risk hovering over the box and realizing you have eaten half before anyone else sits down.
14. Lake Bluff Grille
Lake Bluff Grille, 3700 Gardner Ave, St. Joseph, MI 49085 frames your pickup with Lake Michigan’s calm silhouette. The perch arrives in a sturdy container that keeps the crust intact. Each fillet breaks clean, revealing sweet, moist flakes that beg for a squeeze of lemon.
The venue ties to local resort history, a polished stop that still respects casual shoreline appetites. Technique matters here: measured dredge, quick fry, careful rest on racks before boxing. Ask for tartar and lemon packed separately so steam does not arm-wrestle the crunch.
Pickup is orderly, and parking cooperates even at sunset rush. The slaw goes light on mayo, leaning herb-fresh and cool. You might drive straight to the bluff, crack the lid, and let lake wind stand in for fanfare while the first bite resets your mood.
15. King’s Fish Market & Restaurant
King’s Fish Market & Restaurant, 8320 W 7 Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48219 thrums with practical energy: order, watch, eat. The fryers sound like rain on a tin roof, a constant that keeps the line honest. Perch emerges salt-kissed, with a ruffled, thin crust that snaps cleanly.
King’s has served the neighborhood for years, part market, part hot kitchen, and fully focused on speed. The fish is handled simply, which protects the lake’s gentle sweetness. If you like heat, grab hot sauce packets and chase the tartar with a few bright shakes.
Plan to park, order fast, and be ready when your number is called. Fries are straightforward companions, and the slaw is crisp enough to hold its shape. The ride home smells terrific, and somehow the last fillet always disappears before you reach your block.