The Lenten season in Cleveland is special because we have something a lot of cities don’t – a Fish Fry culture. I have friends who have moved away from Cleveland and miss all the amazing fish fries we have. Cleveland was founded by eastern and western Europeans who were Catholic, so fish fries became a thing. Especially at Lent. Restaurants serve fish on Fridays year-round, but bring out the big guns during the Lenten season. However, many churches and associations like the VFW, Elks, and other groups host fish fries as fund raisers. Even though I am not Catholic I love a good fish fry, so I embrace the Lenten season. Here is a list of the fish fries I have visited in the area in the past few years.
East Side
Academy Tavern on Larchmere Boulevard (Cleveland/Shaker Heights)
Benedictine High School and my updated visit
The British American Club in Twinsburg
Cafe Avalaun (gluten-free Fish Fry!) in Warrensville Heights
Chelo’s Kitchen in South Euclid
Church of the Gesu catered by EDWINS in University Heights
Church of the Good Shepherd in Lyndhurst
DiCillo Tavern in Mayfield
EDWINS Butcher Shop on Buckeye Road in Cleveland
Firehouse Grille & Pub in Willoughby Hills
Greater Sokol Cleveland at Bohemian National Hall on Broadway Avenue
Ice or Rice Cafe in Asiatown (is it considered a fish fry if they don’t serve fried fish? They serve fish, so it’s a nice Lent alternative)
La Vera Party Center in Willoughby Hills
Regovich Catering at the Patrician in Eastlake
St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Northfield
St. Clare in Lyndhurst
St. Dominic in Shaker Heights
St. Gabriel in Concord
Sts. Helen and Constantine Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Cleveland Heights
The Village Butcher in Mayfield Heights
West Side
Around the Corner
Arthur Treacher’s in Akron, Cuyahoga Falls and Niles – NOW in Garfield Heights again!!!
Big Met/Emerald Necklace Marina
El Carnicero in Lakewood
The Fairview Tavern
Ferris Steakhouse in Rocky River
Gunselman’s Tavern in Fairview Park
Luchita’s on W. 117th
Mom’s Pierogies on Memphis Avenue
Ohio City Provisions in Ohio City
Old Brooklyn Cheese Company‘s tuna melt
Prosperity Social Club in Tremont
Ridgewood Inn in Parma
Sokolowski’s University Inn in Tremont
St. Adalbert Church in Berea
St. Andrew Ukrainian Catholic Church in Parma – to eat in or take out
St. Francis de Sales Church in Parma
St. John Bosco in Parma Heights
St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Parma
St. Joseph’s Parish in Avon Lake (with a second visit on St. Patrick’s Day)
St. Joseph’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Brecksville
St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral at the Parma/Seven Hills border
St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church on Wallings Road in Broadview Heights
St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Parma (and visit #2)
Twisted Taino in Parma
West Park Station in Kamm’s Corner
Cleveland Rocks, Cleveland Eats 