Hey JeffB, I appreciate that you are a lover of good yellow lake perch and elevate you to the appropriate stature that is deserved of people with such good taste. This summer when I return to the Chicago area, I will have to be on the lookout for Jury's and Miller's Pub that you mentioned when visiting with my "kids," as we love good yellow lake perch.

The last time my wife and I were at BT's in Sisters' Lake, MI, we thought the "lake perch" was good, but sensed it was "white" perch and not the preferable "yellow" lake perch. Some white perch can be prepared to be very tasty, like that at the Easy Street Inn in Coloma, but that is often easier said than done. The Friendly Tavern there was one time great and the next time awful, so they are very inconsistent. And as of last summer, there were no decent yellow lake perch places in all of St. Joesph/Benton Harbor, MI, and we tried them all. The worst being Schu's Grill and Bar and it's related Pump House Grill in St. Joseph (i.e., they both only serve fake "white" lake perch).

It's funny you should mention the Thirsty Perch in South Haven. We had tried it years ago several times and found it to be super, super awful and swore we would never be back (and they were totally BLIND about what "yellow" vs. "white" perch was every time I talked to their management). But early last summer my wife and I and guests tried it on a lark -- new menu -- and found that both our our pan fried yellow lake perch meals were more than fantastic. We raved about it for weeks afterwards. It was super delicious.

Unfortunately, several weeks later we had an opposite experience. First they took the order down wrongly and gave us "beer-battered fried lake perch" instead of the preferable pan-fried, and it was super, super dry and awful tasting. Now its not like we dislike beer battered fish, but just not theirs. The order went back to the kitchen and it came back super crummy. It was terribly disappointing and discouraged us from returning there that summer.

BTW, we go often to Frenchy's, but not too often to Rusty Bellies, for grouper. Regards.

SD

If you want Wisconsin fish fry without quite leaving Illinois, Steitz's Resort in Antioch has perch and blue gill. (They used to have walleye, too, but I don't see it on their website now.) They also do fish boil.

Note that the restaurant is open only Thursdays through Sundays right now. I think they might open a few more days during the summer -- they're on the Chain O' Lakes and have a marina. In the winter, they have a toboggan slide and hot buttered rum. It's a very atmospheric, old-timey spot.

Steitz's Resort
25400 W. Bluff Lane
Antioch
(847) 395-4050
http://www.steitzs.com

The Boy Scout troop that 2 of my kids are in (Troop 358, Midlothian, IL) does a Fish Fry on alternating Fridays during Lent in the cafeteria of St. Christopher Catholic School just off of 147th and Keeler in Midlothian. The next one is on the 25th. The regular all-you-can-eat choices are hit or miss, they're cooked ahead of time and sit in steam tables; if you get the fish freshly cooked it can be great. But the "Special" options are cooked to order, and it's my understanding that the walleye is very good and worth the modest upcharge.

I'm not saying it's worth a long drive or anything, but it's a fish fry, and it's old-fashioned, and it's at least within spitting distance of "good" so it meets the criteria of the thread. If you're in the area on a Friday night (March 25th, April 8th, and April 15th are the remaining dates) and you want to help out my kids' scout troop, please stop by.

If this post is inappropriate, please let me know and I will nuke it

The menu: http://www.midlothian358bsa.org/fish_fry_menu.htm

St. Christopher Catholic School
14611 S. Keeler Ave.
Midlothian, IL 60445

Jim, very informative and nothing inappropriate at all. I used to travel around Midlothian all the time (e.g. Louisa's and Papa's for pizza) and wish I could be around for the fish meal.

LAZ, I looked at Steinz Resort's website and their menu. Walleye and blue gill sound good, but I am always suspicious when a restaurant just says "perch", without describing that more as that usually means ocean perch or white perch, which I don't consider a quality fish. A restaurant that serves quality yellow lake perch (the original and only real lake perch) would seem to proudly want to say "yellow lake perch," although years ago, the "yellow" component wasn't necessary as there was nothing else.

I'll pass on the toboggan slide ride, but the hot buttered rum sounds sooooo gooooood. Thanks for sharing.
__________________

SD

Sundaze wrote:LAZ, I looked at Steinz Resort's website and their menu. Walleye and blue gill sound good, but I am always suspicious when a restaurant just says "perch", without describing that more as that usually means ocean perch or white perch, which I don't consider a quality fish. A restaurant that serves quality yellow lake perch (the original and only real lake perch) would seem to proudly want to say "yellow lake perch," although years ago, the "yellow" component wasn't necessary as there was nothing else.

My Wisconsin-bred dining companion was happy, so I'm sure it wasn't ocean perch, although I do not vouch that hasn't changed. I had the walleye, myself. A third companion had spaghetti, which he said -- admiringly -- reminded him of his school cafeteria. I don't see that or the walleye on the website, but I wouldn't rely on the online menu to be up-to-date or complete, and as you see, it doesn't go much into descriptive details.

Not Chicago but an interesting film on the topic.
http://www.fishfrynight.com/index.html
The potato pancakes make Ray's Butcher shoppe worth a visit.

and soon to be released from the same film maker a doc on Wisconsin Supper Clubs
http://www.supperclubmovie.com/

Sundaze wrote:Tiebels in Schererville that was mentioned above still specializes in yellow lake perch as well as the Schererville Lounge a couple of miles away from Tiebels. Both are excellent. I also noted that Steve's Lounge in Hegewisch (Chicago's far south side) still serves lake perch also.

This year I've had perch at both Teibel's (in the coffee shop) and Steve's Lounge. I like Steve's but Teibel's is my clear favorite. The fish seems fresher and sweeter and the breading more delicate. Teibel's cole slaw is infinitely better. I enjoy having the option of potato pancakes at Steve's (though they're not my favorite version).





Teibel’s Family Restaurant
1775 US Highway 41

Schererville IN
219-865-2000





Steve's Lounge
13200 S Baltimore Av
Chicago
773-646-1071
Dinner on Friday only

LAZ wrote:

Sundaze wrote:LAZ, I looked at Steinz Resort's website and their menu. Walleye and blue gill sound good, but I am always suspicious when a restaurant just says "perch", without describing that more as that usually means ocean perch or white perch, which I don't consider a quality fish. A restaurant that serves quality yellow lake perch (the original and only real lake perch) would seem to proudly want to say "yellow lake perch," although years ago, the "yellow" component wasn't necessary as there was nothing else.

My Wisconsin-bred dining companion was happy, so I'm sure it wasn't ocean perch, although I do not vouch that hasn't changed. I had the walleye, myself. A third companion had spaghetti, which he said -- admiringly -- reminded him of his school cafeteria. I don't see that or the walleye on the website, but I wouldn't rely on the online menu to be up-to-date or complete, and as you see, it doesn't go much into descriptive details.

LAZ, how long ago were you there? We always used to go to Steitz's after the Ice Fishing Derby with a large group and they used to have lobster and king crab legs, snow crab, Walleye, yellow lake perch, and on Saturday there was always a prime rib special. Then two years ago we went and they had completely changed the menu, eliminating everything that we liked. They told us that so many people were complaining that they were going back to the old menu, so after checking their web site(s) and even calling to verify, we went back last year and they still had the same limited menu, so we vowed never to return again. Now it looks like once again the web site seems to indicate that they are back to the old menu. I remember one time we were checking them out and they had two different web sites with conflicting menus! I don't trust 'em.

We've started going to Off Broadway Pub in Brookfield for fish fry. They do and AYCE deal on Friday nights (maybe Wednesday too). It's cod, nicely breaded, more fish than breading. They serve it family style, with fries and cole slaw. $10.95 IIRC. It's a neighborhood joint, drinks and beer are cheap. Not a great wine selection. We used to big on Irish Times, but the fish at Off Broadway seems to be lighter battered and better tasting.

Off Broadway Pub
9048 Monroe Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513
(708) 485-4553

Just bumping this up to see if there's any new spots for a good Friday fish fry (lake perch would be an added plus) this weekend for my husband's birthday. Looking in the western suburbs, but would be willing to go further for a great rec!

Thanks!

Bumping this thread- any recent rec's for a good old fashioned Friday night fish fry?
Preferred location Northern burbs

This is a year old, but a good start:

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/2014 ... 140409621/

Any current updates for 2015???????????

looking for north suburbs or close Wisconsin.

Thanks,
Wally Wade

In Chicago on Lincoln Ave... Atlantic Bar & Grill has Friday Fish frys:

"All you can eat" Lenten Fish Fry
Every Friday during Lent
5:30 pm - 9pm
Adults $11 - Children $6
http://www.theatlanticbar.com/info.php? ... TOP:Events

Atlantic Bar & Grill
5062 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
http://www.yelp.com/biz/atlantic-bar-an ... =date_desc

Rita's
13744 Rockland Rd.
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
(847) 362-0157
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ritas-lake-bluff

EDELWEISS German Rstaurant has a fish fry for Lent.

The restaurant is close to ohare airport in Norridge


7650 W Irving Park Rd
Norridge, Illinois
.
(708) 452-6040
Today 11:00am - 10:00pm.
Price Range: $$
http://www.edelweissdining.com/.


https://www.facebook.com/15855887750538 ... 11/?type=1

jane franklin wrote:EDELWEISS German Rstaurant has a fish fry for Lent.

The restaurant is close to ohare airport in Norridge


7650 W Irving Park Rd
Norridge, Illinois
.
(708) 452-6040
Today 11:00am - 10:00pm.
Price Range: $$
http://www.edelweissdining.com/.


https://www.facebook.com/15855887750538 ... 11/?type=1

Honestly . . . avoid at all costs. The food here is not good. I'm sorry to be so negative but I ate here about a year ago and it was so unenjoyable, I vowed I'd never return. This place is a black hole of dining. Just because they have a fish fry, doesn't necessarily mean it's worth checking out. I know this place used to have a heavy rep but it's no longer deserved, IMO.

=R=

I have to echo Ronnie Suburban's remarks regarding Edelweiss. Although I have not had the fish fry, my last dinner there was overpriced and underwhelming.
Ron

Wow. sorry to hear that.. It used to be good.. You are not the only ones I have heard this from. I hear mixed reviews. It has been over a year since I have been.. One thing I did find is that the waitresses and the manager were not the friendliest of people.

A friend went here tonite, haven't gotten a report yet.

http://stalphonsusknights.com/fishfry/

$10. There's another March 27th.

Any leads on ayce fish fry on the NW side?
Asking for a friend.

This may be too far out of the way for your friend but Tomczak's Tap on Irving Park Rd in Wood Dale has an excellent AYCE fish fry. They offer 3 types of fish and its only offered on Friday's. I've partaken of 4 "fish frys" in northeastern DuPage County and Tomczak's is my favorite.
Tomczak's is like walking into a Wisconsin Northwoods tavern. Good food and cheap booze.

Bothrops wrote:This may be too far out of the way for your friend but Tomczak's Tap on Irving Park Rd in Wood Dale has an excellent AYCE fish fry. They offer 3 types of fish and its only offered on Friday's. I've partaken of 4 "fish frys" in northeastern DuPage County and Tomczak's is my favorite.
Tomczak's is like walking into a Wisconsin Northwoods tavern. Good food and cheap booze.

thanks for the tip - from their FB page it looks like they have perch -

Jazzfood wrote:A friend went here tonite, haven't gotten a report yet.

http://stalphonsusknights.com/fishfry/

$10. There's another March 27th.

Says it is $12 on the site. Anyone know if it is AYCE?

The Lake Geneva area may be pushing it for Chicago Area, but I had an excellent fish fry last Friday night at the Waterfront restaurant at the Abbey Resort in Fontana. Eight of us met up at a campground for the second year; last year we went to the Mars Resort on Lake Como for the fish fry, which had more of an old fashioned northwoods vibe, but they told us a 2-hour wait for a table of that size, so after letting our fingers do a little walking we went another quarter around the lake to Fontana.

I was skeptical due to the yuppie-looking aspect of a place like the Abbey Resort, but the food served was very solid. For $14.99 (as of 2018), you get AYCE broiled or batter-fried walleye or cod (I chose the former, the others who ate fish chose the latter for some strange reason), slaw, applesauce, tartar sauce, hush puppies, and choice of garlic+sea salt french fries, sweet potato fries, or potato pancakes (I chose the last, but sampled the others).

Fish was crisp, fresh, clean, with a slightly fluffy battering. Slaw was properly tangy. Potato pancake had a nice amount of onion, a little thicker than I do for Hannukah but very tasty. Service was a little hectic (hard to get the server back to request a little more fish and another pancake), but friendly. Definitely worth considering for your deep fried needs.

Waterfront at the Abbey Resort
269 Fontana Blvd
Fontana-On-Geneva Lake, WI 53125
Hours: 11AM-11PM (1AM on Fri an Sat)
Phone: (262) 275-9000
https://thewaterfront-restaurant.business.site/

A lot of the time when I think of Friday Fish Fry I think of the local VFW all you can eat.

But if we are reporting from Wisconsin...

Timmers Resort
5151 Timmer Bay Rd, West Bend, WI

... has a very nice one. You can order the number of pieces you want (priced appropriately). Cooked perfectly and an awesome pine paneled environment.


They don’t take reservations on Fridays but the lounge is great to take in some live music and an Old Fashioned.

For me, a fish fry is something that takes place in a church basement. Here is one that was mentioned in our local newspaper:

Friday night fish fry -- tomorrow April 5th is the last night.
St. John Brebeuf church
8301 North Harlem Avenue, Niles, IL 60714

"menu includes whitefish, sides, soup, a light dessert, lemonade and coffee. Homemade macaroni and cheese and cheese pizza for those that don't eat fish.
Beer, wine and soda available for purchase."

Whitefish! Not cod! Sounds delish!

Advance tickets $10. Door tickets $12.

"supper time is promptly at 5 p.m. The event ends at 7 p.m."

Lavergne's Tavern
6546 Windsor Ave, Berwyn


Is running a pretty good one on Fridays during the holiday.

Veterans of Foreign Wars
2622 Desplaines Ave, North Riverside

Has a long running one all year round on Fridays. Venerable
I haven't given it a try but it is high on my list.

What would make something "Good Old Fashioned"?

Last Saturday I stopped at...

Seafood Junction
132 Madison St, Oak Park


... and had a great perch dinner. 4 big pieces.

Joy wrote:Whitefish! Not cod! Sounds delish!

Is there a specific fish that goes under the name "whitefish"? I always thought it was just a catch-all term for a variety of fishes, including cod. Looking it up, I guess there is "lake whitefish," but is that what "whitefish" typically means around here?

I guess it depends where you are. Certainly, in Upper Michigan and most of Wisconsin, whitefish would automatically refer to Great Lakes whitefish. The ocean area's would probably fall under your "catch all" description.