15 Minnesota Takeout Fish Fry Windows Serving Truly Hot, Crispy Lake Perch
Step up to the window, breathe in that unmistakable aroma of sizzling batter, and you’ll understand why this state treats a good fish fry like a sacred ritual.
There’s something magical about ordering a piping-hot basket of lake perch right through a humble takeout window, no fuss, no frills, just golden, crispy perfection passed straight into your hands.
These spots keep tradition alive with fresh fillets, crunchy coating, and the kind of comforting, old-school flavor that instantly transports you to summer nights by the water.
If you’re craving true Midwest comfort food, these 15 takeout fish fry windows are serving up lake perch so hot and crisp it just might ruin all other fish fries for you.
1. Anchor Fish & Chips (Minneapolis)
Anchor Fish & Chips has been slinging some of the crispiest perch in Minneapolis for years, and they’ve got the takeout game down to a science. Their batter is light yet crunchy, creating that perfect golden shell around tender lake perch that stays hot even on the drive home.
The portions are generous, and they don’t skimp on the sides either. You’ll get perfectly seasoned fries and coleslaw that complement the fish without stealing the show.
Their takeout window moves fast, so you won’t be waiting long for your order.
2. Burger Dive (St. Paul)
Don’t let the name fool you—Burger Dive serves up lake perch that rivals any dedicated seafood joint in the Twin Cities. Their fish fry Friday special draws crowds who know that the perch here is always piping hot and incredibly crispy.
The secret might be in their double-dip breading technique, which creates extra crunch without making the fish greasy. Each piece comes out golden brown and stays crunchy for surprisingly long after you pick it up.
The casual vibe makes it perfect for a quick takeout run.
3. Mac’s Fish Chips Strips (Minneapolis & St. Paul)
Mac’s has built their reputation on doing one thing exceptionally well: frying fish to absolute perfection. With locations in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, they’ve made it convenient to grab seriously good lake perch no matter which side of the river you’re on.
Their perch arrives steaming hot with a satisfying crunch that echoes when you bite down. The breading sticks perfectly to the fish, never sliding off or getting soggy.
They’ve streamlined their takeout process so efficiently that you’re in and out in minutes.
4. Blue Door Pub (Multiple Twin Cities Locations)
Blue Door Pub brings a modern twist to the classic fish fry, and their lake perch benefits from their creative kitchen expertise. With multiple locations across the Twin Cities, they’ve mastered the art of keeping their takeout fish incredibly hot and crispy.
Their batter adds a subtle malty flavor that enhances rather than masks the delicate perch. The coating shatters perfectly with each bite, revealing flaky white fish inside.
Their efficient takeout system ensures your order arrives at peak crispiness every single time.
5. Gluek’s Bar & Restaurant (Minneapolis)
Gluek’s has been a Minneapolis institution since 1857, and they’ve had plenty of time to perfect their lake perch recipe. Their traditional approach to fish fry means you’re getting authentic, old-school flavor with a crunch that modern places try hard to replicate.
The perch here is never overcooked, staying moist inside while maintaining that essential crispy exterior. Their tartar sauce recipe has probably been around as long as the restaurant itself.
Picking up takeout from Gluek’s feels like continuing a Minnesota tradition.
6. A-Side Public House (St. Paul)
A-Side Public House elevates the humble fish fry with gastropub flair, but they never sacrifice the essential crispiness that makes lake perch so addictive. Their attention to detail shows in every perfectly fried piece that comes out of their kitchen.
The coating has just the right amount of seasoning, letting the sweet flavor of the lake perch shine through. They time everything perfectly so your takeout order is hot enough to still be steaming when you open it at home.
It’s upscale comfort food done exactly right.
7. Creekside Supper Club & Lounge (Minneapolis)
Creekside brings that classic supper club vibe to their fish fry, and their lake perch lives up to the old-school expectations. The breading is perfectly seasoned with a hint of paprika that adds color and flavor to every crispy bite.
They fry their fish to order, which means you’re getting the freshest, hottest perch possible. The crunch factor is off the charts, and the fish stays flaky and tender inside.
Their takeout packaging is designed to maintain maximum crispiness during transport, which really makes a difference.
8. Urban Growler Brewing Company (St. Paul)
Urban Growler proves that breweries can absolutely nail the fish fry game, and their lake perch benefits from being fried in batter made with their own spices. The result is an extra-crispy coating with complex flavor notes you won’t find elsewhere.
Each piece of perch comes out impossibly crunchy, with a light airiness to the batter that never feels heavy. They’ve got the temperature control down perfectly, so nothing ever tastes greasy.
Grabbing takeout here means you can also snag some drinks to go.
9. Smack Shack (Minneapolis & Bloomington)
Smack Shack brings coastal seafood expertise to Minnesota lake perch, and the results are outstanding. Their technique produces fish with an incredibly crispy exterior that audibly crunches with every bite, while the inside stays perfectly moist and flaky.
They use a lighter breading style that lets the natural sweetness of the perch really come through. The temperature is always spot-on, delivering takeout that’s still steaming hot when you get it home.
With two locations, they’ve made excellent lake perch conveniently accessible across the metro area.
10. Lucky’s 13 Pub (Multiple Twin Cities Locations)
Lucky’s 13 Pub has perfected the neighborhood fish fry, and their lake perch is a Friday night favorite across multiple Twin Cities locations. The breading achieves that ideal balance between substantial crunch and delicate texture that’s surprisingly hard to nail.
Their frying technique ensures every piece comes out uniformly golden and crispy, with no soggy spots or undercooked sections. The fish inside is always tender and flakes apart easily with a fork.
Their efficient takeout system means you’re getting your perch at peak crispiness every time.
11. Mason Jar Kitchen & Bar (Eagan)
Mason Jar Kitchen & Bar serves up lake perch with homestyle charm and restaurant-quality execution. Their breading recipe has a subtle sweetness that caramelizes beautifully during frying, creating an extra-crispy crust that’s almost candy-like in its crunch.
The portions are substantial, and they never rush the cooking process, which means perfectly cooked fish every single time. Their takeout packaging keeps everything hot and crispy during the ride home.
It’s comfort food that actually delivers on the promise of restaurant-quality takeout fish fry.
12. Gabe’s Bar & Kitchen (St. Paul)
Gabe’s Bar & Kitchen has become a St. Paul favorite for their no-nonsense approach to lake perch that’s all about quality and crispiness. Their breading is thin but incredibly crunchy, providing texture without overwhelming the delicate fish flavor.
They fry at the perfect temperature, creating that ideal golden color and satisfying crunch in every bite. The fish stays hot remarkably well, even when you’re taking it to go.
It’s straightforward, honest cooking that focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well rather than getting fancy.
13. Manitou Bar & Kitchen (White Bear Lake)
Manitou Bar & Kitchen in White Bear Lake serves perch that’s as fresh as you’d expect from a lakeside location. Their breading has a distinctive crunch that comes from a well-guarded technique, creating a coating that stays crispy long after frying.
The fish itself is always high quality, with a sweet, mild flavor that pairs perfectly with their tangy tartar sauce. Their takeout operation is smooth and fast, getting hot food into your hands quickly.
Eating their perch almost feels like you caught it yourself from the nearby lake.
14. Stockyards Tavern & Chophouse (South St. Paul)
Stockyards Tavern & Chophouse brings steakhouse standards to their lake perch, and the quality difference is immediately obvious. Their breading is expertly seasoned and fried to a perfect golden brown that crunches audibly with every single bite.
They use premium perch and treat it with the same care as their high-end steaks. The result is fish that’s incredibly tender inside while maintaining that essential crispy exterior.
Their takeout packaging is top-notch, designed specifically to keep fried foods at optimal temperature and crispiness.
15. St. Paul Brewing (St. Paul)
St. Paul Brewing rounds out this list with lake perch that benefits from their brewing expertise and commitment to local ingredients. Their battered perch has a distinctive flavor profile that comes from using their own fresh ingredients in the batter.
The coating achieves an almost lacy crispiness that shatters perfectly when you bite into it. They time everything precisely so your takeout order is still steaming and crunchy when you get it.
It’s the perfect marriage of craft brewing culture and classic Minnesota fish fry tradition.