10 Places to Find Fried Fish During Lent (Without Going to a Fish Fry)

Anyone craving fried fish? Photos by Kevin Gibson

Who doesn’t love a good fish fry? It’s Louisville, man, and the population is nearly 20 percent Catholic. So, you know, fire up the fryers.

From St. Augustine to St. Joseph, church picnics begin in earnest this Friday, March 8, and will happen every Friday into mid-August. No meat on Friday? No problem, Louisville has you covered.

But if you’re looking for sit-down options for your fried fish and fries (and sometimes oysters, shrimp and more), Louisville has plenty to offer no matter what the season. Here’s a look at 10, with a few other examples thrown in for good measure.

The Fish House: Home of the Green River-style fish fry, it’s hard to beat this little spot where the Highlands meet Germantown. The selection is almost ridiculous, with scrod, catfish, tilapia and haddock all options for sandwiches or platters, and tons of other seafood can be had battered and fried in the same traditional blend, from Gulf shrimp to clams. And if you go in the morning, it doubles as a New Orleans-inspired coffee house, complete with beignets.

Mike Linnig’s: Possibly the only thing more Louisville than a Catholic church picnic is the time-honored Mike Linnig’s out in Pleasure Ridge Park. Now reopened for the Lenten season, this is a place that, in its 90-plus-year history has endured fires and floods, and still persists as one of Louisville’s go-to places for fried seafood. The whitefish sandwich rules the day, but you can get catfish, tilapia and even salmon, plus tons of other seafood options. If you don’t top off your meal with the signature onion rings, you have some explaining to do.

Passtime Fish House: This Jeffersontown staple is best known for its ridiculously huge cod sandwiches. Lightly coated in a peppery batter, this bad boy is touted on the menu as “almost famous.” That’s close enough for us. Get the PassTime platter, with cod, shrimp, oysters and froglegs (for two bucks extra), and you’ll have to loosen your belt a couple of notches. And if you’re not quite that hungry, give the fish bites appetizer a try. You won’t be sorry.

Suburban Fish Fry: Seasonal like the church picnics, Suburban Fish Fry has been around for a long time, opening every Saturday from March to November in its spot on South Third. The offering is pretty basic, with a dinner featuring Green River-style fried cod, fries, coleslaw and marinated onions or sandwiches on your choice of bread. You can also buy fish by the pound and take it go. It’s cash only, and when it runs out, it runs out.

The Fishery: This cozy little stop in St. Matthews is another long-enduring neighborhood favorite, perched on Lexington Road and specializing in Icelandic cod and catfish, but serving plenty more, from shrimp to pan-fried oysters to chicken livers. You can pair your meal with vegetable bean soup, hand cut slaw, hand cut onion rings and more. And if you’re having a fish party for Lent, the Fishery even caters.

Hill Street Fish Fry: For more than two decades, this tiny, former ice cream store has been serving tasty seafood in big portions. The dining area only seats a few people, so carry-out is the thrust of the concept, but if you decide to stay, you’ll get friendly service. If you’re really hungry, try your hand at the super whitefish sandwich. They also make a mean rolled oyster and uncommonly good clam chowder.

Sal’s Pizza Pub: Yeah, yeah, it’s an Italian place. But this neighborhood joint in Lyndon has some of the tastiest fried fish you’ll find in town. I once ordered the platter and the server almost laughed at me. I switched to “just” the fish sandwich and still couldn’t finish it. The fish is thick, chunky and fried perfectly, and the house-made tartar sauce is the perfect complement.

Hooked on Frankfort: Brought to you by the folks who turned Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot to a Louisville mainstay, Hooked is a classic fish joint, with plenty of fun maritime decor, lots of fried … well, pretty much anything that swims or makes its home under water. From blackened salmon to fish tacos, there’s something for everybody and the portions are ample. I usually get the frog legs, but that’s just me. You do you.

Moby Dick: A friend recently asked me if Moby Dick was local or a national chain, and I actually had to look it up. This mini-chain has been around since 1967, when it began serving “a whale of a sandwich,” or so goes the slogan. Wild-caught Icelandic cod is the name of the game here, along with shrimp, clams, pan-fried oysters and more. With more than a dozen locations, there’s a chance there’s already one in your neighborhood.

Three Brothers Restaurants: A classic fried food joint, Three Bros offers wings, tenders, fried apps, a few sandwiches and a whole lotta fish. You can get catfish, cod, white fish, perch (!) and more by the piece or as a platter with entrees ranging from fried oysters to salmon steak. Sides include hush puppies, green beans, mac and cheese and potato salad, and there are more appetizers than you can swing a trout at. You can get really full at Three Brothers without spending a ton of dough.

In addition, Joella’s and Royals Hot Chicken are both serving fish sandwiches during Lent, in case you like to spice things up.

Other places around town where you can find tasy fried fish include The Irish Rover, Rumors, Selena’s, Pints & Union, Lucretia’s Kitchen, Check’s Cafe, Kingfish, The Dock Seafood, Sharks Seafood, Seafood Lady, Ville Chicken and Seafood, Floyd County Brewing Co., Fireside Bar and Grill, Mary & John O’Bryan’s Tavern, Daisy’s Country Cooking, Shirley Mae’s Café, Franco’s Restaurant and Catering, and Webb’s Market.