14 Ohio Carryout Fish Fry Windows Known For Hot, Crispy Lake Perch
If you have ever bitten into a perfectly fried piece of Lake Erie perch, you already know why Ohio takes this stuff seriously. The crust crackles, the fish is sweet and tender, and suddenly everything else on the menu feels irrelevant.
Ohio sits right on the edge of Lake Erie, which means fresh perch is practically a local birthright. I tracked down 14 carryout fish fry windows and restaurants across the state that do Lake Erie perch the right way, and every single one of them is worth the drive.
Whether you are a lifelong Ohioan or just passing through, this list is your cheat sheet to the crispiest, hottest perch around.
1. Jolly Roger Seafood House, Port Clinton
Port Clinton has a well-earned reputation as the “Walleye Capital of the World,” but Jolly Roger Seafood House quietly reminds you that Lake Erie perch deserves just as much applause.
The fried perch here comes out golden, shatteringly crispy on the outside, and flaky-sweet on the inside, exactly the way it should be.
Locals have been lining up at this spot for years, and the carryout setup keeps things efficient without cutting any corners on quality.
The batter is light enough that you can actually taste the fish, which sounds obvious but is rarer than you would think.
Pair your order with a side of coleslaw and some tartar sauce, and you have a meal that tastes like a summer afternoon on the lake, even in February.
If you are road-tripping along the Lake Erie shoreline and only have time for one stop, make it this one.
Address: 1715 E Perry St, Port Clinton, OH 43452.
2. DeMore’s Offshore Bar & Grill, Sandusky
Sandusky is serious perch territory, and DeMore’s Offshore Bar and Grill has been holding it down on West Perkins Avenue with a no-nonsense approach to fried fish that keeps people coming back.
The perch fillets are generous, the breading has just the right amount of crunch, and nothing about this place feels like it is trying too hard.
That relaxed confidence is exactly what makes it work. You know the fish is going to be good before you even open the carryout box.
The menu leans heavily into Lake Erie classics, and the perch is clearly the headliner every single time.
There is something genuinely satisfying about a place that has figured out its identity and sticks to it without apology.
First-timers should order the perch dinner and resist the urge to share, because once you taste it, sharing will feel like a serious mistake.
Address: 302 W Perkins Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870.
3. Clinton House, Port Clinton
There is something undeniably comforting about a place like Clinton House, tucked right on West Perry Street in Port Clinton, where the perch has been a point of local pride for longer than most people can remember.
The fish fry here is the kind of thing that Port Clinton residents brag about to out-of-towners, and for good reason.
The perch comes out hot, with a crust that holds together beautifully even through the carryout drive home, which is a technical achievement that should not be underestimated.
Clinton House keeps the experience simple and focused. No fuss, no gimmicks, just really good Lake Erie perch done right.
The portions are solid, the service is friendly, and the whole operation has the kind of easy rhythm that only comes from years of practice.
It is the kind of spot that reminds you why Ohio fish fries have such a devoted following in the first place.
Address: 106 W Perry St, Port Clinton, OH 43452.
4. The Bay Bell Restaurant & Bar, Sandusky
Perched right on East Bay View Drive with a front-row seat to Sandusky Bay, The Bay Bell Restaurant and Bar combines a great view with some of the most satisfying fried perch in the region.
The setting alone is worth mentioning, but the fish is what earns the real loyalty here.
Lake Erie perch fillets come out with a golden crust that crackles at the first bite, and the fish inside stays moist and sweet without any of that greasy heaviness you sometimes get from lesser fry operations.
The carryout option means you can grab your order and find a spot near the water, which honestly turns a meal into an experience.
The menu has plenty of other options, but regulars will tell you straight up that the perch is the reason to visit.
Bay views and crispy fish are a combination that Ohio does better than just about anywhere, and The Bay Bell is proof of that.
Address: 803 East Bay View Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870.
5. Rayz Cafe, Genoa
Genoa might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about Ohio fish fries, but Rayz Cafe on Main Street is quietly making a strong case for putting this small town on the perch map.
The vibe here is low-key and welcoming, the kind of place where you feel comfortable the moment you walk in.
The perch is fried to a clean, crispy finish that does not feel heavy, and the portions are generous enough to make the trip from anywhere in the region feel completely justified.
What stands out most is how fresh everything tastes. Rayz Cafe clearly understands that good perch starts long before it hits the fryer.
The friendly service adds to the overall appeal, and the carryout operation runs smoothly even on busy fish fry days.
Small towns with great food are always worth discovering, and Rayz Cafe is exactly the kind of find that makes food road trips so rewarding.
Address: 608 Main Street, Genoa, OH 43430.
6. The Seafood Restaurant, Sylvania
The name does not leave much to the imagination, but sometimes straightforward confidence is its own kind of charm, and The Seafood Restaurant in Sylvania backs it up completely.
Located on West Alexis Road, this spot has built a loyal following in the Toledo area by keeping the focus squarely on quality seafood, with Lake Erie perch sitting at the top of the list.
The perch here is fried with a light, crispy coating that lets the natural sweetness of the fish come through without interference, which is exactly the approach that separates good fish fries from great ones.
The carryout setup is efficient and well-organized, so you are not standing around waiting while your fish gets cold.
Regulars in Sylvania have been counting on this place for years, and the consistency is one of the biggest reasons why.
When a restaurant names itself simply after what it does, it had better deliver. This one absolutely does.
Address: 5504 W Alexis Rd, Sylvania, OH 43560.
7. Danny’s Cafe, Rossford
Rossford is a small city just south of Toledo, and Danny’s Cafe on Dixie Highway has quietly earned a reputation that reaches well beyond its zip code.
Friday fish fry nights here have a devoted following, and the Lake Erie perch is the main reason people keep showing up week after week.
The fillets come out hot and crispy with a coating that holds its texture even after you have driven home and settled in at the kitchen table.
Danny’s Cafe has that neighborhood diner personality that makes everything taste a little better. There is warmth in the place that you can feel the moment you step up to the counter.
The portions are honest and filling, and the staff moves with the kind of practiced ease that tells you they have been doing this for a long time.
For anyone in the greater Toledo area looking for a reliable, delicious perch fix, Danny’s Cafe is the answer you have been looking for.
Address: 600 Dixie Hwy, Rossford, OH 43460.
8. Berardi’s Family Kitchen, Sandusky
Family-owned spots have a way of putting heart into their food that is hard to replicate, and Berardi’s Family Kitchen on West Perkins Avenue in Sandusky is a perfect example of that truth.
The perch here is fried with a care and consistency that you can taste in every bite, and the homestyle sides that come with it round out the meal in a way that feels genuinely satisfying.
Berardi’s has been part of the Sandusky food community for years, and the loyalty of its regulars says everything about the quality they deliver.
The Lake Erie perch is light, crispy, and fresh-tasting, with none of that flat or overly greasy quality that can drag down a lesser fish fry.
Carryout orders are handled with the same attention to detail as dine-in meals, which is not always the case and is genuinely appreciated.
Walking out of Berardi’s with a bag of hot perch is one of those small, uncomplicated joys that Ohio does exceptionally well.
Address: 1019 W Perkins Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870.
9. Porky’s Drive In, Mansfield
Mansfield is more inland than most spots on this list, which makes Porky’s Drive In on Ashland Road something of a pleasant surprise for perch lovers who did not expect to find it this far from the lake.
The drive-in format gives this place an irresistible retro energy, and the food absolutely keeps pace with the atmosphere.
The Lake Erie perch here is fried golden and crispy, served hot in a way that feels like a small victory every single time you open the bag.
Porky’s has been a Mansfield institution, and the perch is one of the menu items that locals point to with genuine pride when explaining why the place has lasted so long.
The drive-in setup also means you can enjoy your meal without leaving your car, which adds a fun, old-school dimension to the whole experience.
Good perch does not require a lakeside address, and Porky’s Drive In proves that point with every order.
Address: 811 Ashland Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905.
10. Legacy Restaurant & Grille, Avon Lake
Avon Lake sits right on the southern shore of Lake Erie, so it makes perfect sense that Legacy Restaurant and Grille on Jaycox Road would take its perch game seriously.
The atmosphere here leans a little more polished than your average fish fry window, but the carryout perch is just as satisfying as anything you would find at a roadside shack, maybe even more so.
The fillets are thick, fresh, and coated in a golden crust that delivers a deeply satisfying crunch without overwhelming the delicate flavor of the fish.
Legacy has built a reputation in Avon Lake for doing things right across its entire menu, and the perch is a consistent highlight that regulars never seem to get tired of ordering.
The carryout operation is smooth and well-run, and the packaging keeps everything hot and crispy for longer than you might expect.
For perch that feels a little elevated without losing its soulful, lakeside roots, Legacy Restaurant and Grille is a genuinely outstanding choice.
Address: 750 Jaycox Road, Avon Lake, OH 44012.
11. Granny Joe’s Ice Creamatorium, Vermilion
The name is delightfully strange, and yes, they do serve ice cream, but do not let the playful branding fool you into skipping the fried perch at Granny Joe’s Ice Creamatorium in Vermilion.
Located right on Liberty Avenue, this roadside stop has developed a loyal fan base for its Lake Erie perch, which comes out hot, crispy, and completely addictive.
The combination of quirky personality and genuinely good food makes Granny Joe’s one of the more memorable stops on any Ohio fish fry road trip.
The perch here has a clean, light batter that fries up to a beautiful golden color and snaps when you bite into it, which is exactly the kind of textural payoff that keeps people coming back.
After your perch, you are absolutely obligated to get ice cream, because that would be a missed opportunity of the highest order.
Few places manage to be this fun and this delicious at the same time, and Granny Joe’s pulls it off effortlessly.
Address: 5598 Liberty Ave, Vermilion, OH 44089.
12. Twin Oast Brewing, Port Clinton
Craft brewing and crispy Lake Erie perch might not be the combination you expected to find on this list, but Twin Oast Brewing on NE Catawba Road in Port Clinton makes it work in a way that is hard to argue with.
The space has a warm, rustic charm that immediately puts you at ease, and the food menu punches well above what you might expect from a brewery setting.
The Lake Erie perch here is fried with real skill, producing a golden, crunchy crust that contrasts beautifully with the tender, sweet fish underneath.
The fact that Twin Oast sits in Port Clinton, right in the heart of Lake Erie perch country, means the fish is sourced with the kind of regional pride that shows up clearly in the flavor.
Carryout orders from here travel well, which is always a good sign about the quality of the fry.
Twin Oast is the kind of place that surprises you, and that surprise is always a very pleasant one.
Address: 3630 NE Catawba Rd, Port Clinton, OH 43452.
13. Quaker Steak & Lube, Vermilion
Most people associate Quaker Steak and Lube with wings and a loud, fun atmosphere, so finding out that the Vermilion location on Liberty Avenue serves respectable Lake Erie perch is a genuinely exciting discovery.
The restaurant leans into its automotive theme with enthusiastic commitment, but behind all the vintage car decor and high-energy vibe, there is a kitchen that knows how to fry fish properly.
The perch comes out golden and crispy, with a satisfying weight to the portion that makes the meal feel like a real event rather than a quick snack.
Quaker Steak and Lube attracts a broad crowd, and the perch holds its own among the more famous menu items without needing any extra fanfare.
Carryout from this location is quick and well-organized, which is impressive given how busy the place tends to get.
If you are in Vermilion and craving perch with a side of high-octane restaurant energy, this spot delivers on both counts without breaking a sweat.
Address: 5150 Liberty Ave, Vermilion, OH 44089.
14. Sandusky Bay Pancake House, Sandusky
Pancake house and Lake Erie perch are not four words you typically see together, but Sandusky Bay Pancake House on Milan Road in Sandusky has quietly made a name for itself as a perch destination that transcends its breakfast-focused identity.
The fish fry here draws a crowd that knows exactly what it is coming for, and the perch delivers with a light, crispy coating and fresh, sweet fish that reminds you just how good Lake Erie really is.
The casual, welcoming atmosphere makes carryout pickups feel unhurried and pleasant, which is a small but meaningful detail when you are hungry and excited about your food.
Sandusky Bay Pancake House proves that great perch is not exclusive to dedicated seafood restaurants, and that a kitchen with skill and good sourcing can make magic happen regardless of the menu category.
The portions are fair, the price is right, and the fish is consistently on point.
Sometimes the best surprises come from the places you least expect, and this Sandusky staple is exactly that kind of happy discovery.
Address: 4710 Milan Rd, Sandusky, OH 44870.