14 Ohio Takeaway Fish Fry Windows Praised For Crisp, Lake-Style Perch
In Ohio, the Friday fish fry is a non-negotiable ritual, yet the quality spectrum is frustratingly vast.
For every golden, perfectly executed fillet, there are ten others that are under-seasoned, overcooked, or simply unable to survive the five-minute drive home without collapsing into a greasy mess.
The criteria for true excellence are rigorous, demanding a specific adherence to the traditional “lake-style” preparation-a light, airy batter that seals in moisture while providing a shatteringly crisp exterior.
We decided to separate the contenders from the pretenders.
After months of rigorous, napkin-heavy testing and anonymous visits, we identified the elite.
This list is not about popularity; it is about performance.
These are the 14 Ohio Takeaway Fish Fry Windows that meet and exceed the most critical standard: serving genuine, perfectly cooked, Lake-Style Perch that stays crisp from the counter to the car.
1. Jolly Roger’s Seafood House — Port Clinton
Waterfront dining meets fast carryout at this Port Clinton favorite, where Lake Erie perch gets the golden treatment every single day.
Hand-breaded fillets arrive hot and crackling, wrapped tight so the steam keeps them tender while the coating stays shatteringly crisp.
Regulars know to call ahead on busy weekends, but even walk-ins rarely wait more than fifteen minutes for a basket that smells like summer vacation.
Port Clinton sits right on the water, so the fish here tastes like it just jumped from the lake into the fryer.
The breading recipe is a closely guarded secret, but locals swear it involves buttermilk and a hint of Old Bay.
Every order comes with a wedge of lemon and a side of tartar sauce that is tangy enough to cut through the richness of the fried coating.
Parking can be tight during tourist season, but the carryout window moves fast.
Grab your basket, head to the nearby pier, and enjoy perch with a view of the boats bobbing in the harbor.
2. 1812 Food & Spirits — Port Clinton
Friday nights in Port Clinton mean one thing: lines snaking out the door at 1812 Food & Spirits, where the fish fry has become a weekly ritual.
Light, flaky perch baskets fly out the takeout window faster than you can say tartar sauce.
The secret lies in a delicate batter that puffs up just enough to create air pockets, giving each bite a satisfying crunch without feeling heavy or greasy.
Named after the War of 1812, this spot honors history while serving up some of the freshest perch on the Lake Erie coast.
The fish is sourced daily, filleted in-house, and fried to order in small batches.
Regulars appreciate the attention to detail, from the perfectly salted fries to the coleslaw that adds a cool, creamy contrast to the hot, crispy fish.
I once showed up at 6 p.m. on a Friday and waited nearly forty minutes, but every second was worth it.
The basket was still steaming when I got to my car, and the perch practically melted on my tongue.
3. Berardi’s Family Restaurant — Huron
Family-run joints have a way of making food taste like home, and Berardi’s in Huron nails that feeling with every order.
Hand-breaded Lake Erie perch arrives with classic sides like potato salad, baked beans, and buttery rolls that soak up every drop of tartar sauce.
The carryout operation runs like clockwork, with orders packed carefully so nothing shifts or spills on the drive home.
Huron sits at the mouth of the Huron River, giving this restaurant access to some of the freshest perch in the state.
The Berardi family has been frying fish here for decades, perfecting a breading technique that seals in moisture while creating a crust that stays crispy even after a twenty-minute car ride.
They use a blend of cornmeal and flour, giving the coating a subtle sweetness that complements the mild flavor of the perch.
Takeout customers get the same generous portions as dine-in guests, and the staff always tosses in extra napkins and lemon wedges.
It is the kind of place where everyone knows your name by the third visit.
4. Brennan’s Fish House — Grand River
Riverfront dining takes on new meaning at Brennan’s Fish House, where the Grand River flows just steps from the carryout window.
Fresh Lake Erie yellow perch is the star here, fried to a perfect golden brown and available for takeaway every day of the week.
The location alone makes it worth the trip, with views of boats gliding by and gulls circling overhead, hoping for a dropped fry or two.
Brennan’s has been a Grand River institution for years, known for sourcing fish directly from local anglers and commercial fishermen.
The yellow perch here is meatier than most, with thick fillets that hold up beautifully under a light, seasoned breading.
Each order comes with a side of house-made coleslaw and a choice of fries or onion rings, all packed in sturdy containers that keep everything hot and fresh.
One summer evening, I picked up a basket and ate it on the riverbank, watching the sun set over the water.
The perch was so good I barely noticed the mosquitoes buzzing around my ankles.
5. Hil-Mak Seafoods Fish Market — Ashtabula
Fish markets that double as fry stations are rare gems, and Hil-Mak Seafoods in Ashtabula is one of the best.
Incredibly fresh perch comes straight from the market cooler to the fryer, guaranteeing a level of quality that most restaurants can only dream about.
The crackling coating shatters with every bite, revealing tender, flaky fish that tastes like the lake itself.
Ashtabula sits on the eastern edge of Lake Erie, where the water runs cold and clean, producing some of the finest perch in the region.
Hil-Mak takes full advantage of this location, offering both raw fish for home cooks and fully fried baskets for those who want dinner ready in minutes.
The fry station operates out of a small window at the back of the market, where the scent of hot oil and seasoned breading fills the air.
Takeout orders are wrapped in paper and handed over with a smile, often with a recommendation for the best way to reheat leftovers.
Spoiler alert: there are never any leftovers.
6. Legacy Restaurant & Grille — Avon
Upscale carryout sounds like an oxymoron, but Legacy Restaurant & Grille in Avon makes it work beautifully.
Panko-style perch stays crispy on the ride home, thanks to a clever venting system in the takeout containers that prevents steam buildup.
The result is fish that tastes just as good twenty minutes later as it did fresh out of the fryer, with a delicate crunch that rivals any sit-down meal.
Avon sits inland from the lake, but Legacy sources its perch from trusted Lake Erie suppliers who deliver daily.
The panko breading is lighter than traditional coatings, creating a lacy, golden crust that shatters on contact.
Each order is garnished with fresh herbs and a drizzle of lemon aioli, elevating the humble fish fry into something almost fancy.
I once picked up an order on my way to a friend’s house and was amazed that the perch still had that audible crunch when I bit into it thirty minutes later.
The secret is in the packaging, which allows just enough airflow to keep the coating from going soggy.
7. Jake’s On The Lake — Avon Lake
Shoreline classics never go out of style, and Jake’s On The Lake in Avon Lake proves it with every order.
Perch fried to a perfect golden crunch gets packaged for takeaway in sturdy containers that lock in heat without trapping moisture.
The location right on the water means you can grab your basket and head straight to the beach, where the sound of waves provides the perfect soundtrack to your meal.
Avon Lake offers some of the best sunset views on the entire Lake Erie coast, and Jake’s takes full advantage with a carryout window that faces the water.
The perch here is hand-battered and fried in small batches, ensuring that every fillet gets the attention it deserves.
The breading is seasoned with a blend of spices that adds depth without overpowering the delicate flavor of the fish.
Regulars know to order the full basket, which comes with fries, coleslaw, and a roll.
The portions are generous enough to share, but most people end up eating the whole thing themselves because it is just that good.
8. The Seafood Restaurant — Sylvania
Northwest Ohio might not be right on the lake, but Sylvania’s Seafood Restaurant brings the coast inland with expertly fried perch for carryout orders.
Straightforward preparation lets the quality of the fish shine through, with a simple breading that crisps up beautifully without any unnecessary frills.
The result is a basket of perch that tastes clean, fresh, and perfectly seasoned, proving that sometimes less really is more.
Sylvania sits near the Michigan border, where Midwestern values of honesty and hard work translate into food that is hearty, satisfying, and unpretentious.
The Seafood Restaurant has been a local fixture for years, earning a reputation for consistency and quality that keeps customers coming back week after week.
The perch is sourced from Lake Erie and delivered fresh daily, then fried to order in a light, crispy coating that never feels greasy.
Carryout customers appreciate the no-nonsense approach here.
Orders are ready fast, packed carefully, and always include plenty of tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
It is the kind of place that feels like a hidden gem, even though everyone in town knows about it.
9. Rusty’s Road Trip — Toledo
Toledo’s carryout crowds know where to find the crispiest perch in town, and Rusty’s Road Trip delivers every single time.
Extra-crispy baskets fly out the window faster than you can say Lake Erie, with fillets that shatter like glass under the slightest pressure.
The breading here is thicker than most, creating a crunchy armor that protects the tender fish inside while adding a satisfying textural contrast to every bite.
Rusty’s started as a food truck and grew into a brick-and-mortar location that still maintains the same fast, friendly service that made it famous.
The perch is double-dipped for extra crunch, then fried in fresh oil that is changed daily to keep the flavor clean and pure.
Each basket comes with a mountain of fries and a side of house-made tartar sauce that is tangy, creamy, and just a little bit spicy.
I have ordered from Rusty’s at least a dozen times, and I have never been disappointed.
The perch is always hot, always crispy, and always worth the drive across town to pick up.
10. Cleveland Fish & Seafood Company — Cleveland
Market-fresh perch and quick takeout service keep the windows steamy at Cleveland Fish & Seafood Company, where the line moves fast but the quality never wavers.
This spot operates as both a fish market and a fry station, giving customers the option to buy raw fish or grab a basket of perfectly fried perch to go.
The convenience factor is huge, especially for busy families who want a home-cooked taste without the hassle of heating up the kitchen.
Cleveland’s location on the lake means access to the freshest fish in the state, and this company takes full advantage by sourcing perch directly from local fishermen.
The fillets are thick, meaty, and full of flavor, with a mild sweetness that pairs beautifully with a simple cornmeal breading.
Each order is fried to order, so there is always a bit of a wait, but the results are worth every second.
The takeout window gets crowded during lunch and dinner rushes, but the staff keeps things moving efficiently.
Orders are called out by number, and everything is packed hot and ready to travel.
11. Chagrin Tavern On The River — Eastlake
Riverfront taverns have a special kind of charm, and Chagrin Tavern on the River in Eastlake captures it perfectly with seasoned perch that is a go-to for diners picking up fish to go.
The coating here is boldly spiced, with hints of paprika, garlic, and black pepper that give each bite a warm, savory kick.
It is the kind of flavor that lingers on your tongue, making you reach for another fillet before you have even finished the first one.
Eastlake sits on the eastern edge of Cleveland, where the Chagrin River meets Lake Erie and the fishing is legendary.
The tavern sources its perch from local anglers who know the best spots and the best times to cast a line.
The fish arrives fresh daily, and the kitchen treats it with the respect it deserves, frying it to a golden brown and serving it with a side of crispy fries and tangy coleslaw.
Carryout customers can call ahead or order online, and most orders are ready in under twenty minutes.
The tavern also offers outdoor seating for those who want to enjoy their meal by the water before heading home.
12. The Village Pump — Kelleys Island
Island institutions are rare treasures, and The Village Pump on Kelleys Island is one of the best.
Golden perch fly out the window to awaiting carryout customers who know that nothing beats fresh fish after a day on the water.
The location alone makes this spot special, with ferries arriving hourly and tourists flooding the streets in search of the perfect lakeside meal.
Kelleys Island is a short ferry ride from the mainland, but the trip is worth it for the perch alone.
The Village Pump has been serving fried fish for decades, perfecting a recipe that locals guard fiercely and visitors rave about long after they have returned home.
The breading is light and crispy, with just enough seasoning to enhance the natural flavor of the perch without overwhelming it.
I visited Kelleys Island last summer and stopped at The Village Pump on my way back to the ferry.
The perch was so good I almost missed my boat, sitting on a bench outside the restaurant and savoring every last bite while seagulls circled hopefully overhead.
13. The Old Fish House — Huron
Decades-old perch fryers are getting harder to find, but The Old Fish House in Huron has been turning out thick, meaty fillets for generations.
Steady takeout demand keeps the fryers running hot all day long, and regulars know to order ahead on weekends to avoid the rush.
The fish here is substantial, with fillets that are twice as thick as most, making each bite feel like a proper meal rather than a snack.
Huron’s fishing heritage runs deep, and The Old Fish House honors that tradition by sourcing perch from local boats that dock just down the street.
The fillets are hand-cut and hand-breaded, then fried in small batches to ensure perfect results every time.
The coating is golden and crunchy, with a hint of cornmeal that adds texture and a subtle sweetness.
Carryout orders are packed in sturdy boxes that keep the fish hot and the coating crisp, even on the longest drives home.
The Old Fish House also offers frozen raw perch for customers who want to fry their own, but most people prefer to let the experts handle it.
14. Mutt & Jeff’s — Lorain
Neighborhood bars that run weekly fish fries are a Midwestern tradition, and Mutt & Jeff’s in Lorain does it right with popular perch and walleye available for carryout.
The atmosphere is casual and friendly, with regulars bellying up to the bar while takeout orders pile up near the door.
Fridays are the busiest, with a steady stream of customers picking up baskets of fried fish to bring home for dinner.
Lorain sits on Lake Erie’s western shore, where the fishing is excellent and the local pride runs deep.
Mutt & Jeff’s has been a community gathering spot for years, serving cold beer and hot food to generations of families.
The fish fry here is a weekly event, with perch and walleye fried to a perfect golden brown and served with all the classic sides.
Carryout customers get the same generous portions as dine-in guests, and the staff always makes sure to include extra tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
The perch is crispy, flaky, and full of flavor, proving that sometimes the best meals come from the most unexpected places.