This Ohio Tavern Serves Fried Fish So Crisp Locals Plan Their Week Around It
In Cleveland, fried fish carries a rhythm all its own, and Winking Lizard Tavern has become one of the best places to feel it.
On Friday nights the air is thick with the scent of the fryer, baskets of golden fillets landing fast at crowded tables. The coating shatters with each bite, giving way to flaky, steaming fish inside, while sides like slaw and pierogies round out the plate.
The tradition stretches back through Lent dinners and church halls, but here it feels both rooted and alive. I joined the line one evening, and the first basket explained everything, the comfort of the familiar, served with a touch of Cleveland history.
Core Menu Classic
The heartbeat of the tavern is its fish and chips, arriving at the table with an audible crunch. The batter coats the fish in a golden shield that breaks apart to reveal soft, flaky meat.
It’s the kind of dish that steadies the mood, no matter the weather outside. Fries tumble across the plate in crisp contrast, while tartar sauce cools the bite with its creamy tang.
I’ve had this basket more times than I can count, and it never loses that sense of homecoming comfort.
Haddock Heaven On Fridays
Fridays buzz with anticipation, the room filling as beer-battered haddock takes its turn on the fryer. The fillets hit the plate with a glisten, steam curling upward before the first bite.
This end-of-week ritual isn’t just clever scheduling, it’s a nod to Ohio’s long-standing Friday fish tradition. Generations have carved out the same meal to close the week, making haddock as much a custom as a craving.
If you want in, plan accordingly. Seats fill quickly, and the best bites go to those who arrive before the crowd.
Lent Delights
When Lent arrives, the tavern shifts into celebration mode, expanding its lineup for a faithful fish-fry season. Extra offerings appear, drawing both the devout and the simply hungry.
The practice stems from Catholic roots, when meatless Fridays meant fish ruled the table. Over time, it grew into a regional tradition, and Cleveland taverns still honor it with gusto.
I love dropping in during this stretch. The energy feels brighter, the menu a little fuller, and the sense of community palpable. It’s a shared seasonal rhythm.
Pierogi Nights
A surprising twist hits the menu when pierogies show up alongside fried fish. Their doughy shells hold creamy fillings that break into richness with every bite.
It’s a mix of Eastern European comfort with Midwestern tradition, and the tavern leans into both worlds without hesitation. Pairing pierogies with crispy fish creates contrast: soft and hearty against crisp and flaky.
This isn’t just novelty; it’s a hearty, crowd-pleasing move. Regulars circle the calendar when pierogi nights are announced, knowing the combo won’t linger long.
Seasonal Flounder Plate
Come certain times of year, the spotlight shifts to flounder, plated five pieces strong. Each fillet is lightly battered, crisping into a golden finish that feels lighter than other fried fare.
The seasonal rotation comes from availability, echoing coastal traditions where menus bend with the sea. Flounder offers delicate flavor, a softer bite that still satisfies the craving for crunch.
Adding lemon and parsley brightens the whole plate, nudging it toward elegance without leaving the tavern’s humble roots behind. It’s a fleeting highlight worth chasing.
Basket Of Classics
Coleslaw and fries don’t just share space here; they balance the fried centerpiece. The slaw snaps with tangy crunch, the fries settle in golden and salty, both building rhythm around the fish.
Sides like these connect the basket to memory, reminding diners of simple plates built for comfort. Nothing fancy, nothing overdone, just reliable flavor that makes sense.
I admit I always clear the basket completely. Even when I think I’m just here for the fish, those sides sneak in as essential, never optional.
Prime Location
Downtown Cleveland hums outside the tavern’s doors, giving meals here an energy that feels woven into the city itself. The bustle sets a rhythm, but once inside, the focus shifts to comfort on a plate.
Being at 1300 E 9th Street makes it an easy drop-in for office workers, visitors, and locals looking for consistency. The central spot is no accident, it keeps the tavern at the heart of community routines.
Food always lands better when the city buzz surrounds it, anchoring each bite in place and time.
Multiple Locations
Not every crowd squeezes into downtown, which is why the tavern’s network of Ohio locations matters. From suburban corners to city edges, the experience holds steady.
Expansion didn’t dilute the flavor or focus. Each spot is built around the same crisp fish, the same baskets of sides, and the same easy atmosphere. Familiarity becomes the tavern’s true currency.
That reach means you don’t have to fight downtown lines. Wherever you end up, the same fried satisfaction is usually just a short drive away.
Know Before You Go
Posted hours at each tavern outpost make planning easier, especially when cravings don’t like surprises. It’s small but meaningful, the reassurance that what you want will be there when you arrive.
The habit of keeping schedules transparent speaks to respect for regulars and newcomers alike. Clear hours save time, cut stress, and keep the focus where it should be: on the food.
I’ve learned the value of double-checking hours the hard way. A closed door once taught me that fried cravings can’t be postponed gracefully.
Pre-Order Perks
For anyone with a packed schedule, the tavern’s pre-order system is a quiet lifesaver. Place your order online or by phone, and skip the wait that usually builds around peak dining times.
This small adjustment makes the whole experience smoother. Food comes out hot, ready to be picked up with little fuss, proving that tradition and convenience can co-exist.
It’s a thoughtful touch that keeps the tavern accessible to regulars who might not have time to linger but still crave that golden crunch.
Perfect Pairings
The tap list here isn’t an afterthought, it’s curated with fried food in mind. Each pour is chosen to balance the weight of the fish and the salty bite of sides.
From crisp lagers to fuller-bodied ales, there’s an option that elevates the meal rather than distracting from it. Beer becomes part of the rhythm of dining here.
I’ve sat with a plate of haddock and a cold pint, marveling at how much the right sip can sharpen and brighten the flavor.
Family Friendly Fun
Walk inside, and the energy feels immediately inclusive. Families tuck into booths, and staff manage to keep kids entertained while parents relax. The noise level is lively but never overbearing.
Fast service makes a difference, ensuring little ones aren’t left restless. It’s a place where fried fish feels celebratory, not just convenient.
The mix of ages under one roof speaks volumes. This tavern isn’t only for a Friday crowd; it’s a spot where generations gather, each making the ritual their own.
Easy Parking
Finding a spot downtown can be half the battle, but here it’s refreshingly simple. Garages sit just steps from the door, removing the stress that often tags along with city dining.
That convenience frees you to focus on the food itself, rather than circling blocks in frustration. It’s the kind of small detail that sets the tone before you’ve even ordered.
By the time you sit down, hunger intact, you’re already in the right mood for crispy fish and cold drinks.
A Cleveland Tradition
Fridays bring out the loyalists, a mix of families and longtime locals who’ve built rituals around the tavern’s fried fish. The rhythm is steady: lines form, baskets arrive, plates get cleared.
Generations have kept the tradition alive, drawn by consistency as much as flavor. What started as a meal has become a marker of time, a thread connecting past and present.
I’ve joined those lines, and it feels less like waiting for food and more like stepping into a living Cleveland story.