With the start of Lent on Wednesday, it means the return of fish fry season.
Many area groups are hosting fries leading up to Easter Sunday, March 31. Here are a few to check out.
Anchor Boat Club, 407 E. Lake Shore Drive
Fish fries are held every Friday from February 16 to March 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Lenten options include a choice of fried or baked fish (3 pieces), shrimp (10 pieces) or a combo meal (two fish and five shrimp). Each costs $13. Off-the-shelf options like burgers and grilled cheese are also available.
Aqua Sports Club, 1 Club Area
Fish fries are held every Friday between Feb. 16 and March 29 from 6 to 8 p.m
The all-you-can-eat walleye dinner is available for dine in only for $11. Other options include catfish dinner ($13), 8-piece shrimp dinner ($12) and two-piece chicken strip children’s dinner ($8). Dinners include fries, coleslaw and bread.
Call 217-529-2431 to place to-go orders in advance.
Elks Lodge 158, 409 E. Lake Shore Drive
The fish fries held every Friday between Feb. 23 and March 29 from 5 to 7:30 pm Choices include walleye dinner, shrimp dinner or combination dinner.
Dinners come with a choice of baked potato or fries, coleslaw and bread. Kids’ dinner options feature fish or hotdogs. Prices are not available.
Little Flower Men’s Club Fish Fry at the Catholic Church of the Little Flower, 800 Adlai Stevenson Drive
The club hosts its 25th annual fish fry every Friday between Feb. 16 to March 22 from 5 to 7:30 pm in the parish center. Dine-in and drive-through services are available.
Offerings include fish, shrimp, chicken tenders, cheese pizza and grilled cheese sandwiches. Meals include a choice of fries or baked potato, cole slaw and two hush puppies. Cost is $13 for adults, $6 for children 12 and younger.
Dessert selections feature freshly fried donuts ($3 a dozen) or ice cream ($1).
MJ’s Fish and Chicken Express, 716 E. Enos St.
Dine in and take out available from Feb. 16 to March 22 from 4 to 9 pm
The limited menu features a choice of catfish ($12 small, $16 large) or walleye ($10 small, $14 large) with fries and coleslaw. Advance orders can be placed by calling 217-572-0257.
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Men’s Club Fish Fries at Blessed Sacrament, 1725 S. Walnut St.
Fish fries held every Friday from February 16 to March 29 from 5 to 7 pm in the school cafeteria.
Choose between walleye, catfish, or shrimp for adult dinner options. The meal comes with fries and coleslaw. The cost is $10. Kids dinners are available for $5 and include a choice of cheese pizza.
The Mess Hall Restaurant at American Legion Post 32, 1120 Sangamon Ave.
The Mess Hall is open to the public. Lent specials are available for lunch and dinner daily beginning February 14 through Good Friday March 29. Lenten specials are in addition to full menu offerings.
Lunch specials are served from 11 am to 2 pm on weekdays. Features include a walleye sandwich ($10.75) and a shrimp basket ($13.95). Both come with fries. A dinner salad can be added for an additional $2.50.
Dinner specials are available Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 4 to 8 pm featuring walleye ($11.50), whole catfish ($13.95) and an eight-piece fried shrimp basket ($15.25). Fish eaters come with a choice of potatoes, salad or coleslaw and bread. The shrimp basket comes with a choice of potatoes, dinner salad and a roll.
Take out or drive through available. Phone: 217-523-3415.
St. John Vianney Knights of Columbus Council 14024, 902 St. John’s Drive in Sherman
Fish fries will be served every Friday from February 16 to March 22 in the church’s activity center.
Adult dinners include a choice of walleye, catfish filet, shrimp or chicken strip dinner. Meals include a choice of baked potato, fries or macaroni and cheese and coleslaw. Dine in also includes bread and drinks. The cost is $10.
Kids dinners feature the same entrees with the option of a side order for $5.
Desserts, sodas, beer, and wine can only be purchased by dine-in customers. Dine-in and carry-out services are available from 4:30 to 7 pm; Drive-through service is available from 4:30 to 6:30 pm
Chatham American Legion Post 759, 206 W. Chestnut St.
All-you-can-eat fish fries held every Friday from Feb. 16 to March 29 from 5 to 7:30 pm Carry out is available but the endless plate option is only good for dine-in customers.
Meals include fried fish filets, choice of baked potato or river fries, coleslaw, dessert and choice of coffee or tea. Cost is $12 for adults.
A la carte options which include fish sandwiches, chicken tenders, hot dogs and side dishes, can be purchased separately to carry out. Kids 12 and younger have the option of either a hot dog, chips and drink for $5 or a choice of fish or chicken tender with chips and drink for $6.
Knights of Columbus Lake Club, 141 N. Lakewood Drive, Chatham
The fish fries will be held from February 16 to March 22 from 5:30 to 8 pm
Dinner options include walleye either plain or Cajun ($10), shrimp ($11) or chicken strips ($8). Dinners include a choice of potatoes and coleslaw. A la carte offerings include a walleye sandwich ($6), additional fries, baked potato or coleslaw ($2) and cheese fries ($3).
The kids meal features chicken strips and fries for $5. Carrying is an option.
Knights of Columbus Council 4696 at 510 E. Spark St. in Raymond
The hall hosts a fry every Friday from Feb. 16 to March 22 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm Food includes fried fish, potato wedges, baked potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw and cake. Cost is $13 for one adult, $25 for two. Children 10 and younger dine for $7 (Children’s price is good for dine in only).
St. Louis Church Parish Center, 311 S. Elm St. Nokomis
The all-you-can-eat fish fry will be held every Friday from February 16 to March 22 from 4:30 to 7 pm at the Parish Center.
Meals include both baked and fried fish, pizza, macaroni and cheese, fries, green beans, baked beans, applesauce, coleslaw and dessert. Cost is $15 for an adult meal, $7 for children ages 5 to 11. Children 4 and younger eat free. A box of fish itself can be purchased for $25. Conducting is also available.
The A La Carte column features restaurant openings, closings, renovations and relocations, as well as personnel changes and business news. Natalie Morris can be reached at 737-7254 or by email at [email protected].
