10 Fish Fry Spots In Upstate New York
When Friday rolls around in Upstate New York, locals know it’s fish fry time!
These golden-battered treasures have become a beloved tradition across the region, drawing crowds from miles away. Whether you prefer classic beer-battered haddock or innovative twists on the Friday favorite, these spots serve up crispy, flaky perfection worth putting some miles on your odometer.
1. Gene’s Fish Fry – East Greenbush
Holy mackerel! This roadside legend has been hooking hungry travelers since 1952. The massive portions of perfectly crispy fish hang gloriously over the edges of your plate.
Though they’re famous for fish, don’t swim past their onion rings – they’re practically wearing gold medals. Where else can you find a place that hasn’t changed their recipe in 70+ years?
2. Ted’s Fish Fry – Albany Region
Fancy a fish fry empire? Ted’s has expanded faster than your waistline after visiting all five of their locations scattered across Albany, Troy, Latham, and Clifton Park.
Their signature seafood comes with a side of nostalgia – those red-and-white checkered paper boats transport you straight back to childhood. However, their secret tartar sauce recipe might be worth more than gold!
3. Doug’s Fish Fry – Skaneateles
If celebrities needed a fish fry fix, they’d head to Doug’s. This Finger Lakes icon attracts more out-of-towners than a fall foliage tour!
What’s their secret? Flash-frying at scorching temperatures creates that mythical crisp-outside, tender-inside perfection. Though the line might snake out the door, the lakeside views and homemade sides make waiting feel like part of the experience.
4. R Diner – Central Square
Blink and you’ll miss this unassuming roadside gem! R Diner might look like your average small-town eatery, but their fish fry has locals setting calendar reminders.
How do they achieve that impossibly light batter that shatters like glass when your fork hits it? The owners guard that recipe like Fort Knox. Though modest in appearance, their portions could feed a small fishing village!
5. Polska Chata – Irondequoit
Craving a fish fry with international flair? Baltic-style fish that would make your babcia cry with delight are served in this Polish haven close to Rochester!
Three tables away, you can hear the crunch of their special panko-herb coating. Where else can you have pierogi instead of french fries with your fish? Admire how they take basic components and turn them into something valuable enough to go across county borders for.
6. Mayer’s Cider Mill – Webster
Apples and fish? I promise you that this strange combination at Mayer’s produces culinary magic! Every Friday, this 150-year-old cider mill turns into a fish fry hotspot, attracting Rochester locals like moths to a flame.
Why all the commotion? Your preconceived notions about fish fries will be challenged by the delicate sweetness created by its batter, which is flavored with apples. The atmosphere of the rustic barn may seem strange for seafood, yet it somehow adds to the unforgettable experience.
7. McColley’s – Spencerport
Forget fancy – McColley’s keeps it real with paper plates and plastic forks that might bend under the weight of their massive portions! This no-frills spot has locals planning their entire week around Friday visits.
How can something so simple taste so divine? Maybe it’s the decades-old fryers that have seasoned themselves to perfection. Though the décor hasn’t changed since the 80s, neither has their commitment to serving fish that makes you close your eyes when you take that first bite.
8. Ukrainian Cultural Center – Rochester
Surprise! This community gathering spot serves fish fry with an Eastern European twist that’ll knock your socks clean off! Friday nights here feel like stumbling into a secret club where everyone’s in on the delicious discovery.
The batter? Lighter than air with hints of paprika and dill. Though you might come for the fish, you’ll stay for the Ukrainian beer and impromptu folk dancing that sometimes breaks out near the dessert table. Where else can dinner double as a cultural experience?
9. Montauk Catch Clubhouse – Rosendale
Whoa – a fish shack with attitude! This Ulster County hotspot brings coastal vibes to the Catskills with fish so fresh you’ll swear you can smell the ocean (despite being hours from the shore).
What makes them special? They truck in Atlantic catches daily and fry them in a cornmeal-based batter that’s crunchier than walking on autumn leaves. Though the prices run higher than typical fish fries, the first bite explains exactly why no one’s complaining about it.
10. Lil’ Deb’s Oasis – Hudson
Buckle up for the wildest fish fry in Upstate! With their Friday special, which combines a culinary revelation with an art project, this James Beard-nominated tropical paradise in Hudson flips convention.
They pamper their fish like a king or queen, using ingredients like coconut batter, habanero honey, and edible flowers that shouldn’t work but nonetheless produce mouthwatering flavors. Even though the neon-pink atmosphere may startle you at first, this is the hippest fish fry scene this side of the Caribbean because to the diverse audience and upbeat music selection.