Where to get a fish fry in Rochester during Lent?

Editor’s Note: If you know of a restaurant or non-profit organization that serves fish fry, send us the information at WROCDigital@nexstar.tv.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Ash Wednesday started on February 22 — kicking off the beginning of Lent.

The religious tradition is a 40-day fasting period for Christians which ends three days before Easter. Many people give something up that they enjoy during this time, like chocolate, or beer.

Those that observe Lent tend to give up eating meat on Fridays, with some people in the region turning to fish to fill their protein needs.

So where should you go to get a good fish fry in Rochester? Many restaurants in the area serve fish fry for those who observe Lent, with some going so far as to exclusively serve fish fry on Fridays.

Here is a list of a few restaurants, churches, and community organizations across the Greater Rochester Area to pick up a fish fry meal:

Community Events:

On Ash Wednesday, the North Java Fire Company will hold its annual fish fry starting at 11:30 a.m. and will either end at 7 p.m. or until all fish fries are sold out. You can dine in, get out, or have it delivered.
The Fairville Fire Department will be holding its annual fish fry dinners every Friday starting February 24 until April 7 at 4:30 p.m. There will be a drive-thru and a dining room open to eat.
Ely Fagan Stevens Connor American Legion announced they will be holding a fish fry every Friday starting February 24 until the end of Lent. The events will be held at the American Legion Post from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Boy Scouts of America Troop 233 is inviting the community to enjoy Lenten fish fry dinners every Friday starting on March 3 until March 31 from 5-7 p.m. The dinners will be held inside Christ the King Church at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish. Those who want to grab a meal can expect dine-in or take-out.
The Damascus Shriners are holding a fish fry on Fridays starting from February 24 until April 7. The meal will be served with french fries and coleslaw. Each dinner will take place from 5-7:30 p.m.

Churches:

St. Rita Catholic Church in Webster will be holding Lenten fish fry dinners every Friday from 5-7 p.m. starting February 24 — the same week as Ash Wednesday — until March 31.
Every Tuesday starting the week of Ash Wednesday, Avon United Methodist Church will hold Lenton Luncheons. Times for the meal is to be announced.
In Batavia, St. James Episcopal Church will be holding a fish fry every Friday starting March 3 until March 24. The church will offer either fried or baked fish. Dinner will begin serving at 4:30 p.m. until all fish fries are gone. The church will only allow take-out.
St. John the Evangelist Parish in Greece will be holding its traditional fish fry every Friday from February 24 until March 31 from 4-7 p.m. The fish fry will be served at the Parish Center.
St. John of Rochester will be hosting a fish fry every Friday from February 24 until April 7 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. You can get it baked or fried and served with a baked potato or fries, a roll with butter, tartar sauce, coleslaw, and a lemon wedge. All proceeds will support the local parish and charities.
Every Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. starting February 24, St. Mark’s Knights of Columbus will be hosting a fish fry until April 7 2023 in front of the church. The fish fry will also serve as a fundraiser for charities in Rochester, according to the church.

Restaurants and Stores:

Agatina’s on Buffalo Road serves a variety of fish fry: broiled haddock, stuffed haddock, haddock french, etc. on any day of the week.
Bay Front on Empire Boulevard serves a small fish fry, as well as a “Fried Fisherman’s Platter.”
Although not exclusively served on Fridays, you can get nab a fish fry at Blue Ridge Grill. You can have it either beer-battered or breaded and served with fries, coleslaw, lemon, and tartar sauce.
Blu Wolf Bistro sells fish fry on Fridays. The restaurant serves the beer-battered haddock with bent-arm fries and coleslaw.
You can walk into any Bill Gray’s and order a haddock fish fry with either French fries and coleslaw or tater tots and mac salad. If that’s too big, they also serve a smaller version.
Captain Jim’s Fish Market on E. Main Street has the best fish fry in town according to one viewer note. It’s takeout only, though, and be prepared to wait in a long line on Fridays!
Don’t be fooled by Chick’n Out‘s name. They offer a daily fish fry option described as fresh caught Haddock hand-breaded “Southern style” and seasoned to order. This fish fry is accompanied by traditional French fries, coleslaw, and tartar sauce, with a side of cucumbers and onions.
The Coal Tower in Schoen Place serves their fish fry on Fridays. Served with french fries and “coal” slaw, the fish can be served battered, broiled, cajun, or lemon pepper broiled.
Davie’s Sea Food located on Stone Road serves a jumbo haddock fish fry made to order with your choice of up to two sides.
Hose 22 Firehouse Grill exclusively sells fish fry on Friday nights. You can eat in or order take-out online through their website.
Tops Friendly Markets stores offer a Lent deal where customers can buy six fish fry dinners and get a seventh free — starting from February 19 through April 9.
Jim’s Ground on Spencerport Road serves a weekly “fish plate” and will be adding additional offerings on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Both the Henrietta and Brighton location of Ken’s Pizza serves fish fry. The Brighton location only serves it on Fridays whereas the Henrietta one serves it every day starting at 11 a.m.
Kithnos Seafood Market features two types of fish fry: a jumbo haddock and a Cajun haddock fish fry.
During Friday lunchtimes, Lucca’s Northside Kitchen offers a beer-battered fish fry served with lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce.
Both the Ridge Road and Lake Road Mama Lor’s Cafe locations offer three types of fish fry: beer-battered, breaded, or broiled (either lemon pepper, paprika, Cajun, or plain).
Mark’s Pizzeria serves fish fry dinners at participating locations with seasoned french fries and coleslaw.
Over in Greece on Long Pond Road, get your fried haddock fix at Masters Seafood. The business also does wholesale to restaurants.
Merchants Grill fittingly located on Merchants Road offers a Fridays-only fish fry year-round — not just during Lent!
An array of fish fry options is available every Friday night at Nick’s Seabreeze Inn. Other fish options include fresh broiled haddock or haddock french. All fish selections have the side choices of New England or Manhattan chowder, a salad, or the traditional fries and coleslaw.
If you find yourself across from the airport, take a break in Mr. Theo’s Restaurant and Lounge on Brooks Avenue.
Get a taste of history at Palmers Direct To You Market, which has been serving fresh and fried fish to the Rochester area since the 1800s.
Papa Joe’s Italian Eatery offers a skinless option to the traditional fish fry at their location in Gates exclusively on Friday’s.
Perlo’s Restaurant in East Rochester has a dish known as Terry & Larry Masci’s Fish Fry — described as a haddock filet served breaded or beer-battered and served with coleslaw, tartar sauce, and fries. The fish fry is available every day.
Polska Chata offers several combos for fish fry, which is served exclusively on Friday. These combos include deep-fried or boiled perogies, fries, butterfly shrimp, bigos, mashed potatoes, or salad.
S & T Lounge located on North Street and Hudson Ave serves a specialty corn meal coated fish fry on Fridays served with multiple soul food sides.
Dubbed their “Famous Fish Fry,” Stone’s Countryside Tavern in Churchville sells fish fries every Thursday through Saturday year-round. You can get it breaded or broiled.
A karaoke event held at the Temple Bar & Grill on East Avenue serves fish fry every Friday.
The Old Stone Tavern, located on South Ave. features two types of fish fry to choose from: The first dish offers two Perch fillets while the second is a fillet beer-battered in Yuengling. Whichever you prefer, they are both served on a bed of fries with tartar sauce and coleslaw.
The Old Toad mainly serves British meals. You can order fish and chips at this restaurant with a side of either garden peas or minted, mushy peas.
With locations in Greece, Brighton, Fairport, and more, Tom Wahl’s, known most for their burgers, serves a Haddock Fish Dinner on the daily. Also available in a mini size, the dinner is served with coleslaw, French fries, and a dinner roll. Their fish menu also lists a Haddock Fish Sandwich.
If you find yourself in Irondequoit, check out 2 Ton Tony’s Pizza on Titus Ave. for a fish fry big enough for two.
The Valley Inn at Honeoye Lake will offer fish fry dinners on Ash Wednesday before serving them every Friday during Lent. You can have your fish fry beer-battered or broiled. The broiled fish fry comes in three flavors — lemon pepper, Cajun, or wine and bread.