LTHForum.com

I'll second The Rail, which was a revelation for me as it's a sports bar. Typically, I keep my expectations low when surrounded by a bevy of flatscreen TVs, but the fish was surprisingly good for the price point. It's $6.75 for AYCE. As mentioned above, the fries were forgettable. BTW, they upped the price for Guinness pints to $3.50 on Fridays.

Some of the other food specials aren't bad (burgers & burritos), which I attribute to the skills of an expert grillman, but the 10 cent wings are distinctly one-note and rather puny.

The Rail Bar & Grill
4709 N. Damen
Phone: 773.878.9400

I noticed that my first post in this thread was about exactly 5 years ago, so I've decided to finally take action: I've gathered a few fish-fry loving friends to form the Chicago Lenten Fish Fry Club, where we'll try to find Midwestern-style fish fries over the next six weeks.

Feel free to join us at any one of our "meetings":
http://chicagofishfry.tumblr.com/

We'll be kicking off the club at McGill's on Friday, per Thick's suggestion. Thanks, Thick!

I found myself in the wilds of northern Illinois last weekend and I stopped in to GNR Captain Porky's. Dino had some pristinely fresh bluegills that he breaded to order and fried up. These were some fantastically good little fishies. If it's not to far out of your way, I'd suggest a visit to Captain Porky's soon.

Captain Porky's
US 41 & Wadsworth Road
38995 Route 41
Wadworth, IL
(847) 360-7460

_________________
Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

Just to follow up on this, when I went to the fish fry last Friday, I was surprised to see that they'd switched from using frozen food service fries as in previous years and were serving some pretty good fresh-cut fries. I was partway through my plate before I thought to take a picture, but here it is. The fish is hand-breaded and the fries are fresh cut and this was actually really good. I'm looking forward to returning this Friday (and maybe I'll remember to get a picture before I tear in next time).

_________________
Well I got drunk and I ate a chicken
I ate a chicken I found in my kitchen
Not just a leg and not just a wing
I'd like to let you know that I ate the whole damn thing

That looks great, Jim!

The first meeting of the Chicago Lenten Fish Fry Club was kind of a bust -- we got to McGill's and they had sold out of all their fish by 2pm:
http://chicagofishfry.tumblr.com/post/1 ... p-week-one

Hopefully, this week is better than the last ... we're gonna check out the Irish American Heritage Center's fry.

I forgot it was Lent and got aced at Pleasant House Bakery at 7:30 pm, when they sold their last order as I was in line. Since this is my dinner pretty much every Friday, I've made a note to myself to get there earlier during Lent.

_________________
"Baseball is like church. Many attend. Few understand." Leo Durocher

Serious Eats had a bit about lenten fish fry, but most of the locations are in the city.

Here is a picture before I started in. Last night's fish fry was if anything better than the previous week's, though it seemed they were a little busier and I had to wait for a plate.



Mostly just posting this 'cause I said I would, and I doubt anybody will make it down to one of these, but the boys are doing good work

_________________
Well I got drunk and I ate a chicken
I ate a chicken I found in my kitchen
Not just a leg and not just a wing
I'd like to let you know that I ate the whole damn thing

In you enjoy it too much, it's not really Lent, is it?

_________________
"I would gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today."

Driving by I saw that st. Alphonsus at Lincoln, southport, and Wellington is having a fish fry tomorrow from I believe 6-9. Don't know if it is a one off or weekly event.

This place looks like and feels like a Wisconsin supper club and is known for their Friday Fish Fry during Lent. A gratis little dish of hush puppies served with honey mustard butter is a nice touch while you drink your suds and wait for the all-you-can-eat Alaskan Pollock filets. They have a seasoned crispy coating rather than a thick batter, which I prefer. Tartar sauce and cole slaw come with your plate; I recommend the curly fries to complete the picture. Friendly staff. Get there before 7 p.m. or they might be sold out. No website, but you can read more on FB or Yelp.

Stulgin's
5 East Park Blvd.
Villa Park, IL
(630) 834-6208

We did the pub-style Lenten all-you-can-eat fish fry special at the Irish American Heritage Center last night. The fish was pretty darn good. Beer battered, crispy, and not at all greasy. Served buffet-style with fries, peas, tartar sauce, coleslaw, huge wedges of fresh lemon, and malt vinegar.

Bonuses for this spot - beer on tap, full bar available, very baby/kid friendly, live music (no additional cover,) starting at 9pm.

Through Lent, every Friday, $12 per adult, $8 per child. 6:30pm-9:00pm

http://www.irish-American.org

Can't believe it's been a year! We attended the 1st fry of the season this year tonight at the Irish American Heritage Center. Hard to express how much I enjoy this. Last year when we attended for the first time with a one-month-old baby we felt so welcome and comfortable. Felt the same way this year with an 11-month-old. I think part of why I feel so "at home" is that it reminds me of MANY Friday nights spent at the Elk's Club in Stevens Point, WI (courtesy of my Dad's membership.)
There just seems to be the same sense of come as you are, everyone is welcome - families, couples, singles, whatever.... Come, and enjoy.

$12 all-you-can-eat buffet is better than it has to be. Cold beer on tap, Hawk's game on in the pub, and no extra cover charge for the live music at 9pm, makes for a really satisfying economical night out.

I used to tend bar here and I second the recommendation. If you're in the area it's worth a stop.

I had a very nice experience last night at the fish fry at the Elmhurst Public House, all you can eat for $8.95 Another good option but like Stulgin's Park Blvd. it gets crowded and a little loud though I’ve never had to wait for a table.

Elmhurst Public House
683 W. St. Charles Rd, Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 834-8989

_________________
The cake is a lie

Wanted to do the Lenten Friday fish fry closer to home, so headed to the North Riverside VFW Hall. Haven't been in a few years, and the quality of the food has improved. It's sort of like eating in the cafeteria of a nursing home, but that's OK by me. The Fish and Chips special ($7.00 including a modest salad, coleslaw and bread) was really good - 4 large pieces of Cod or Pollack (forgot to ask) in a crispy, not too heavy breading. Rose's Catering handles the prep and their menu is surprisingly broad. If you're in the area, check it out.

Fridays 4 - 8 p.m.

North Riverside VFW
2622 South Des Plaines Avenue
North Riverside, Illinois 60546