10 Ohio Friday Fish Fries Locals Line Up For Every Year
Every Lent, Ohio shifts into fish-fry mode, and the whole state feels it. Skillets crackle, parking lots fill early, and paper plates become tiny stages for golden fillets and homemade sides.
I’ve followed that trail from perch country along Lake Erie to Cincinnati spots where cars loop the block, and parish halls in Columbus where volunteers move with the focus of a well-rehearsed team. Each fry has its own personality; different breading, different stories, different reasons locals swear it’s the one.
If you love community gatherings that smell like tradition and taste like comfort, these Fridays are worth planning around. Join the crowd, grab a plate, and experience the rituals Ohio waits for all year.
1. St. Francis de Sales, Parma
Parma’s St. Francis de Sales is the kind of Friday-night tradition that teaches newcomers how Ohio does Lent: warm welcomes, bustling lines, and plates stacked generously. The star is crisp, golden fish, cod or Lake Erie perch, fried to a crackling exterior with a tender, steamy center.
Volunteers keep the line moving, and the menu balances classics like mac and cheese, pierogi, and coleslaw. Families grab takeout, seniors settle into familiar tables, and kids race to the bake sale for a sweet finish.
It’s a slice of neighborhood life where your order comes with a smile, your change with a joke, and your return visit is a foregone conclusion. Arrive early; the best items sell fast.
2. St. James Catholic Parish, Lakewood
Lakewood’s St. James Catholic Parish draws lines that snake through the vestibule, and for good reason: they’ve perfected the balance of speed, value, and flavor. Expect flaky fillets with a shattering crust, alongside pierogi, creamy slaw, seasoned fries, and buttered rolls.
Regulars rave about consistent quality and the way meals stay hot and crisp, even for takeout. There’s a homey rhythm, greeters at the door, raffle baskets near the exit, and kids proudly carrying trays.
The aroma signals comfort. The community makes it memorable. One bite of perch tells you why Cleveland’s West Side arrives early, smiles often, and leaves satisfied.
3. St. Mary Of The Assumption, Collinwood
In Collinwood, St. Mary of the Assumption celebrates neighborhood roots with a fish fry that feels like a reunion. The fryers turn out delicate Lake Erie perch and hearty cod, each seasoned just right. Sides lean comforting: pierogi with buttery onions, tangy slaw, and classic applesauce that kids devour.
The crowd spans generations, old friends swapping stories, newcomers learning the ropes, and volunteers who remember your order. Portions are generous, prices fair, and service warm.
Takeout is streamlined for busy Fridays, but dining in captures the parish’s heart. With every tray, you taste tradition: the careful breading, the crisp edges, and a community that shows up, week after week, to share a meal.
4. St. William Parish, Cincinnati
On Cincinnati’s West Side, St. William Parish is a Friday juggernaut where organized chaos becomes art. The drive-thru is legendary: cones, volunteers with headsets, and trays of precisely packed dinners that stay crispy until home. Inside, the dining area hums with brisk service and family chatter.
The fish? A beautifully seasoned, crunchy coat with moist flakes beneath. Add hushpuppies or seasoned fries, plus slaw and a soft roll. What keeps locals returning is the reliability: fast lines, fair pricing, and consistent excellence.
Whether you’re wrangling car seats or meeting neighbors at a table, you’ll leave impressed at how smoothly it all runs and how satisfying a simple, well-fried fillet can be.
5. Catholic Kolping Society, Springfield Township
The Catholic Kolping Society blends heritage and hospitality into a fish fry that feels like a clubhouse for the whole city. Here, the fillets are light, crisp, and seasoned with care, accompanied by hearty sides, German-influenced potatoes, tangy slaw, and rye bread that rounds out the plate.
The hall buzzes with friendly banter, raffle tables, and volunteers who move with practiced choreography. Families settle in for unhurried meals, while takeout folks marvel at the speed. What stands out is consistency: every bite tastes like someone double-checked the fryer temperature and salt.
It’s welcoming, well-organized, and always satisfying, a steady beacon during Lent Fridays for Cincinnatians who crave great fish and a community table.
6. St. Michael The Archangel, Worthington
Worthington’s St. Michael the Archangel balances suburban calm with big-city efficiency, producing a fish fry that locals pencil into their calendars. Expect flaky fillets with a clean crunch, plus well-loved sides: pierogi, green beans, seasoned fries, and slaw that stays crisp.
The line moves quickly thanks to veteran volunteers and clear signage. Families appreciate kid-friendly options and the gentle hum of neighbors catching up. Dining room or carryout, food arrives hot and consistent.
The appeal is simple: fresh oil, careful breading, and portions that satisfy without excess. You come for dinner, but you return for the feeling; familiar faces, volunteers remembering your order, and a tradition that tastes like home each Friday.
7. Our Lady Of Victory, Grandview Heights
At Our Lady of Victory in Grandview Heights, the line forms early and never seems to lose its good mood. The fish comes out beautifully browned, with a light crunch and a clean, mild flavor that wins over picky eaters.
Sides include pierogi, baked or fried potatoes, and garden-fresh slaw, all portioned generously. Volunteers greet regulars by name and guide newcomers to dine-in or takeout lanes. The bake sale tempts with trays of cookies and cakes, perfect for a sweet send-off.
Efficiency reigns: labeled stations, quick payment, and fast turnarounds. With each plate, you get more than dinner, you get a neighborhood ritual that makes Lent Fridays feel festive, connected, and delicious.
8. Akron German Family Society, Brimfield
In Brimfield, the Akron German Family Society channels clubhouse energy into a fish fry that’s equal parts hearty fare and heartfelt gathering. Plates showcase crisp fillets with a whisper of seasoning that lets the fish shine, joined by potato pancakes, warm applesauce, and slaw.
Long tables foster conversation, while volunteers circulate with refills and directions for first-timers. The operation runs smoothly: clear signage, speedy checkout, and takeout packaged to preserve crunch.
What keeps crowds returning is the sense of care, attention to oil temperature, consistent breading, and friendly service that remembers faces. It’s an easy drive for Akron and Kent residents seeking a Friday tradition that tastes crafted, not rushed.
9. Holy Angels Parish, Sandusky
Sandusky’s Holy Angels Parish channels Lake Erie pride into a fish fry that regularly sells out. The perch is the headline: thin, delicate fillets in a crisp, airy coat that crackles with each bite. Cod and baked options round out the board, while sides include creamy mac, coleslaw, and seasoned green beans.
The line is flowing with practiced ease, guests guided between dine-in tables and swift takeout. Families drive in from neighboring towns, knowing the quality holds week after week.
It’s the kind of meal that turns a chilly Friday into comfort, simple, bright flavors and portions that satisfy without weighing you down. Arrive early; the perch goes quickly.
10. St. Joseph Parish, Avon Lake
At St. Joseph Parish in Avon Lake, the draw is delicate perch and well-executed cod, each fried to a light crunch that protects juicy flakes. The operation is impressively smooth: greeters at the door, clear line flow, and fast turnaround for carryout.
Sides check every comfort box, pierogi, seasoned fries, coleslaw, and applesauce for the kids. Diners praise consistent seasoning and that just-right texture that stays crisp on the ride home. The atmosphere feels neighborly and calm, even on packed nights.
It’s a west-suburb staple where Lent tastes both classic and carefully made. Expect full trays, friendly service, and the satisfied quiet of people enjoying exactly what they came for.