Fish Fry Guide 2018

Fry

10 Unique Offerings

COURTESY OF SABROSA CAFÉ & GALLERY

::MKEFISHFRYS

For more, log onto shepherdexpress.com

TnU i u

Ml a k eFs F y

Sabrosa Café & Gallery

::BY LACEY MUSZYNSKI

he classic Wisconsin fish fry is a classic for a reason: Everyone loves the usual battered cod, potato, slaw and rye bread combo. But changing things up once in a while is always welcome, especially during the Lenten season when you might be more inclined to grab a fry every week. For those times you want something different, try one of these 10 unique fish frys.

2 | MARCH 1, 2018

M I LWA U K E E F I S H F RYS

Why Milwaukeeans Love a Good Fish Fry ::BY LACEY MUSZYNSKI

e all know the anecdote about Catholicism, Milwaukeeans and fish frys. While there’s truth in the fact that our devout great grandparents probably helped create the tradition of fish-only on Friday, especially during Lent, what’s still keeping it alive now, when the younger generations aren’t nearly so religiously strict? Why here in Milwaukee, when there are certainly other places in the country that were just as Catholic?

There are a number of factors contributing to Friday fish fry’s popularity.

One is familiarity: We Midwesterners like to eat what we ate growing up, and what we were exposed to. It’s comforting, the same way that your mother’s meatloaf was once you moved out of the house.

Another is tradition: Friday fish fry has become a pilgrimage. It’s a kind of ritual in itself, ironically replacing Sunday church services as a way to connect with your community for many. Tradition is comforting, and I imagine most Milwaukeeans would consider fish fry a comfort food.

And lastly, Milwaukee’s tavern culture has helped sustained the fish fry. Taverns are where you go to connect with your neighbors. Any excuse to do that—if you need one beyond drinking— is welcome, including the ritual Friday night fish fry. It’s tavern culture that ties together comfort, tradition and working-class eats in one neat little package of fried fish and potatoes.

SHEPHERD EXPRESS

FISH FRY

Pair It With Our Potato Pancakes And A Thirst Quenching Old Fashioned Wed Fish Fry (during Lent) 11am-10pm Friday Fish Fry 11am-10:30pm

DOUBLE BUBBLE Friday 10-11pm Sat 9-10pm

LIVE MUSIC

Friday and Sat 10pm Labor Day-Memorial Day NEVER A COVER

HAPPY HOUR

Mon-Thurs 2-6pm Fri 1-4pm

19 BEERS ON TAP

414-257-2854 • www.pauliespubandeatery.com

DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR A FREE BEER OR COCKTAIL

MARCH 1, 2018 | 3

MORGAN MICHALOWKI

::MKEFISHFRYS THE WICKED HOP

345 N. Broadway | thewickedhop.com

Try the: Pretzel-crusted perch and bluegill If the usual breadcrumb coating doesn’t cut it for you anymore, there’s an alternative at The Wicked Hop in the Third Ward. Their perch and bluegill filets come breaded with crushed pretzel pieces, making for a super crunchy, slightly malty crust.

There are still some substantial bits of pretzel in the mix, making it heartier than a breadcrumb coating. It comes with your standard sides, and goes well with the Hop’s bold bloody mary.

MAVERICK’S BAR

2030 W. Howard Ave.

Try the: Potato-crusted cod Maverick’s is the kind of South Side tavern that you all know and love. There are innumerable beer and liquor advertisements, a taxidermy animal head on the wall, “For Entertainment Only” machines and plenty of regulars. Where they differ is their Friday fish fry, which is coated with a mixture of crumbs and shredded potato. It gives the cod a little more oomph and helps to make up for the lack of potato pancakes—only fries to be found here since this is a dive bar, after all. But the fish fry is cheap and unusual, the bartenders are friendly and so is the conversation.

The Wicked Hop

FOX DEN TAVERN & GRILL

10631 W. Freistadt Road, Mequon

Try the: Cedar-plank walleye Head on up to the Fox Den Tavern & Grill in Mequon for a unique walleye preparation. Instead of deep frying, they grill walleye on a cedar plank (though they do offer a pan-fried version as well). As the fish grills, the cedar smoke surrounds the fish, infusing it with just a bit of smoky flavor and bronzing the surface. On the side, both the french fries and potato pancakes are homemade, so you can’t go wrong with either.

ST. PAUL FISH COMPANY

400 N. Water St. | stpaulfish.com

Try the: Fried grouper Leave it to a fish market to fry up a fish that’s not typically seen around here: grouper. St. Paul’s Fish Company in the Milwaukee Public Market serves up fish frys of all kinds, but the grouper is the most unusual. The distinctly flavored, mild fish has white, firm flesh. The filets are thick, so it’s generally butterflied before frying, making for large pieces. And of course if that’s still too standard for you, there are dozens of other fish dishes to try, including a heavenly lobster roll and fried fish tacos.

CAFÉ EL SOL

1028 S. Ninth St. | hunitedcc.org

Amelia’s

4 | MARCH 1, 2018

Try the: Latin American fish fry buffet One of Milwaukee’s hidden gems, Café el Sol is a Mexican and Puerto Rican restaurant tucked away in the basement of the United Community Center. Every Friday they host a fish fry buffet with a Latin twist. The fried haddock is coated in a spiced batter. The vinaigrette-based slaw is studded with jalapeños. And instead of potato pancakes and french fries, there’s Puerto Rican rice, refried beans and fried plantain chips. There’s live music that starts during the dinner hour on Friday too, so plan to have a margarita and stay a while.

M I LWA U K E E F I S H F RYS

M: $2 TACOS $1 OFF MEXICAN BEERS T: $2.50 PINTS OF MILLER LITE $3.25 PINTS Riverwest Stein or Blue Moon

$6 BLACK ANGUS BURGER 4-11 p.m. Dine-in only.

W: $2 PBR OR ROLLING ROCK TH: $2.25 RAIL HIGHBALLS $4.50 RAIL HIGHBALL DOUBLES $3.00 HIGHBALLS

(all the Great Lakes Distillery liquors)

h

er

ee ver

yone g s an extr et

t as

ro

Best of Milwaukee 2016 WINNER

BEST Happy Hour

Authentic Irish Specialties & Pub Favorites est ofe B Milwauke

17 2014- 20 ER

WINN

BEST WINGS 4 YEARS IN A ROW!

1501 N. Jackson St. | (414) 277-0122 thepointseastpub.com

(all the Great Lakes Distillery liquors)

$6.00 HIGHBALL DOUBLES

DAILY SPECIALS

w

SPECIALS

16 BEERS ON TAP!

e

CLOSED ON EASTER

Fish Frys Available!

k

Freshly beer-battered cod comes with French fries or house made potato pancakes, coleslaw and Rye bread.

NO TO-GO OR PHONE ORDERS. NO CHILDREN ALLOWED WITH OR WITHOUT PARENTS.

Join us Wednesdays and Fridays for a Fabulous Fish Fry during lent!

Lake Perch, Blue Gill, Walleye & Haddock options available.

Enjoy it baked, beer-battered or breaded.

Happy Hours: 2 Daily 2-6pm & 10pm-12am 8933 S. 27th St. • 414-304-0300 • mulliganson27th.com DOWNLOAD OUR NEW APP NOW FOR A FREE APPETIZER! Like us on made by Guido Rus www.de-rus.nl

261 E. HAMPTON RD. MILWAUKEE, WI 53217 (414) 810-1656 WWW.ALIOTASPUB.COM

MONDAY Fried Chicken Dinner - $10 WITH FRIES AND HOMEMADE SLAW

- E V E RY F R I DAY -

Pan Fried Walleye Perch • Blue Gill

- A L L DAY E V E RY DAY -

Beer Battered Walleye and Cod Fry

$1 off Moscow Mules • Trivia 7-9pm

E FRESH, MAD H C T A R SC FROM S SPECIAL T! EVERY NIGH Dine-In Only

TUESDAY South of the Border Plate - $6 INCLUDES 2 TACOS, RICE, AND BEANS $1 off Corona, Corona Light and Dos Equis WEDNESDAY Fish Fry (DURING LENT) Smash Burger - $5 WITH FRIES

$1 off all Craft Beer (BRAND NEW SELECTION) THURSDAY 5 Pack of Wings - $4 CHECK OUT OUR NEW SAUCES

FRIDAY Fish Fry

FEATURING A FRESH CATCH OF THE DAY, WALLEYE, LAKE PERCH AND HADDOCK

SATURDAY Prime Rib Dinner - $18 10OZ CUT SERVED WITH SOUP OR SALAD, GARLIC MASHED POTATOES AND A VEGETABLE

DINE IN OR CARRY OUT 512 W Layton Ave Milwaukee • 414-481-5520 • beerbellyspub.com SHEPHERD EXPRESS

SUNDAY Brunch at the Pub • 11am- 2pm Bloody Mary’s and Mimosa’s - $5 all day Prime Rib Sandwiches - $10 SERVED WITH CHOICE OF SIDE

MARCH 1, 2018 | 5

HANKR

::MKEFISHFRYS AMELIA’S

724 E. Layton Ave.

Try the: Smelt fry If you’ve ever driven past the airport on Layton, you’ve probably noticed Amelia’s. It’s the bar and restaurant with the vaguely futuristic architecture and neon-lit plane out front (there’s a biplane inside, too). They offer something few taverns do anymore: fried smelt. The popularity of these tiny fish is waning, but Amelia’s and its customers are holdouts. If you’re hesitant but would like to try them, you can get them in combination with cod in the all-you-can-eat fish fry option. Homemade potato pancakes on the side are a must as you watch planes take off across the street.

BOSCH TAVERN

5871 S. 108th St. | theboschtavern.com

Try the: Fish boil If fried isn’t really your thing, then head to the Bosch Tavern in Hales Corners on Friday. They’re still going strong, even after physically moving the historic building a few feet out of the way of the widening Highway 100. They offer a fish boil, made with haddock pieces and drizzled with a bit of hollandaise sauce. It’s served with cooked carrots and your choice of potato, and is great for someone who’s a light eater or is avoiding fried food altogether. No word on if they do a boil over like in Door County in their kitchen, but somehow I doubt it.

The Cheel

SABROSA CAFÉ & GALLERY

COURTESY OF POTAWATOMI HOTEL & CASINO

3216 S. Howell Ave. | sabrosa.cafe

Try the: Cornmeal-crusted perch fry Even lunch spots are getting in on the fish fry act for Lent. Sabrosa Café & Gallery in Bay View is offering a crispy cornmeal-crusted perch fry. And thanks to the Mexican influences on the menu, the fish is served with rice, black beans with queso fresco, a light and refreshing lime slaw and chipotle mayo in place of tartar sauce. Enjoy the unique fry surrounded by the local art on the walls and a Oaxacan old fashioned made with mezcal, poblano syrup and grilled oranges.

THE CHEEL

105 S. Main St., Thiensville | thecheel.com

Try the: Himalayan meagre fry The Cheel, a popular Himalayan restaurant in Thiensville, serves up one of the most unique fish frys around. They use an ocean fish called meagre which is cut into small pieces, then battered in a rice and chickpea flour with spices.

It’s served with cabbage slaw made with golden raisins and a homemade tartar sauce that includes tart tamarind paste, cumin and tumeric in addition to the usual capers and onions. It’s familiar and exciting all at the same time.

RUYI

1721 W. Canal St. | paysbig.com/dining/ruyi

RuYi

6 | MARCH 1, 2018

Try the: Tempura fish fry If you havne’t tried a casino restaurant lately, you might want to consider the Asian restaurant in Potawatomi Hotel & Casino and its corresponding sushi bar which are top notch. For Lent, RuYi is serving up an Asian-style fish fry with tempura-battered cod or walleye, with fragrant jasmine rice, wok vegetables and your choice of soup. The tempura batter is ethereally light and crispy, letting the fish be the star. Fresh spring rolls with shrimp or crab rangoon make for a great red meat-free appetizer pairing.

M I LWA U K E E F I S H F RYS

Friday Fish Fry

FRIDAY’S DURING LENT

—LUNCH AND DINNER—

www.cottonexchangewi.com 262-534-9291 345 Hickory Hollow, Waterford, WI 53185 (corners of Hwys. 20 & 83)

• RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED •

COMPLIMENTARY VALET PARKING

414-225-3270 • pastichebistro.com 411 E. Mason Street Milwaukee

Friday Fish Fry

WEDDINGS: PLANTATION BANQUET HALL THE NEW YEAR BROUGHT US A NEW LOOK -Recently Renovated Banquet Hall, Restrooms & Bar AreaOur elevated stage Accommodates up to 300 guests is the perfect Outdoor patio for cocktails elegant back drop Wedding packages and banquet menu options for your ceremony & head table.

Photo booth & up lighting available

CALL US TODAY TO SET UP YOUR TOUR!

FRIDAY NIGHT FISH FRY

• DRIVE-THRU OR DINE-IN • Beer Battered or Baked Cod • Lake Perch, Beer Battered Smelt Beer Battered Walleye • Breaded Shrimp Regular Dinner Menu Offered Reservations Suggested

1504 E NORTH AVE NEW! BRUNCH: FRIDAY - SUNDAY 7AM - 2PM HOURS: MON - WED 11AM - MIDNIGHT • THUR 11AM - 2AM FRI & SAT 7AM - 2AM • SUN 7AM - MIDNIGHT

FREE ONLINE DELIVERY > BUDDHALOUNGEMKE.COM NOW ACCEPTING UWM MEAL CARD – FOR DINE-IN OR DELIVERY SHEPHERD EXPRESS

Dinner: 4-10pm Drive-thru: 4:30-8pm

Shepherd Swag Get it here: theshepstore.com MARCH 1, 2018 | 7

6th annual

Unlimited craft beer, cheese, sausage and food samples for the taking.

Not a fan of beer? There will also be cideries, wineries and distilleries!

Saturday, April 21, 2018 | WI State Fair Expo Center 1-2pm ($75) VIP, 2-6pm ($45) GA Limited VIP Tickets available. This event is for 21+. IDs will be checked at the door.

Presented by

shepherdtickets.com 8 | MARCH 1, 2018

M I LWA U K E E F I S H F RYS