Check out more than 25 area Lenten fish fries starting this week in southwestern Illinois
With this week’s arrival of Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent comes the search for ways to get through those meatless Fridays. Here’s a handy list of places to get that weekly fish fix over the next several weeks.
Know of another event that’s not on the list? Send the info to lifestyle@bnd.com. Try one, try them all. And let me know which ones you like best.
Ash Wednesday Fish Fries
Aviston American Legion Post 1239 – 4:30-7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, March 5. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton St., Aviston. Cod (baked or fried), catfish, shrimp, hush puppies, chicken tenders, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311; facebook.com/AvistonLegionHall
Highland Knights of Columbus Council 1580 – 4-7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, March 5. Highland Knights of Columbus Council 1580, 12454 IL-143, Highland. Cod (baked or fried), shrimp, chicken strips, grilled cheese, fries, cole slaw, macaroni salad, applesauce, desserts. Dine-in/carryout. Cash, credit and debit accepted. facebook.com/HighlandKnightsofColumbusCouncil1580
Holy Family Catholic Church – 4-7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, March 5. Holy Family Catholic Church, 2606 Washington Ave., Granite City. Cod, walleye, shrimp and sides. Drive-thru only.
Immaculate Conception – 3-7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, March 5. Immaculate Conception Parish, 411 Palmer Road, Columbia. icc-columbia-il.us
Joey’s Scratch Kitchen & Catering at KC Club & Event Center – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ash Wednesday, March 5. KC Club & Event Center, 5420 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon. Cod/catfish plates with hush puppies, bread and choice of two sides: crinkle-cut fries, cole slaw, spaghetti, extra hush puppies. Dine-in and carryout. facebook.com/KCClubEastStLouis
Our Lady Queen of Peace – 4:30-7:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday March 5. 5915 North Belt West, Belleville. Cod, fish (baked) tacos, peel-and-eat shrimp, salad, homemade sides: French fries, QP slaw, mac & cheese, potato salad. Desserts and drinks. Dine in/carryout. facebook.com/QPRaiders
Smithton Turner Hall – 5-8 p.m. Ash Wednesday, March 5. Turner Hall, 115 N. Julia, Smithton. Baked and fried cod loins in both plates and by the pound, grilled cheese, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, fries, baked potato, cole slaw, stewed tomatoes, mac and cheese and hush puppies. Dine-in and carryout. 618-277-9690; facebook.com/smithton.turnerhall
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church – 4:30-7 p.m. Ash Wednesday March 5. American Legion Post 1227, 391 Louis St., Beckemeyer. Whole catfish, cod chunks, bluegill, shrimp, choice of two sides: slaw, fries, mac & cheese.
St. Mary Catholic Church – 4-7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, March 5. St. Mary Parish, 1706 W. Main St., Belleville. Fried cod, fried walleye, chicken strips, shrimp, hush puppies, applesauce, potato salad, slaw, fries, sweet potato fries and jalapeño poppers. Fish and shrimp combo platters and kids’ chicken strip baskets. Cash, check or charge.
Friday Fish Fries
Aviston American Legion Post 1239 – 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton St., Aviston. Cod (baked or fried), catfish, shrimp, hush puppies, chicken tenders, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311; facebook.com/AvistonLegionHall
The B’s Family Kitchen – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays. Swansea Improvement Association, 216 Service St., Swansea. Cod, catfish, shrimp and more. Dine in and carryout. 618-416-1868. facebook.com/thebsfamilykitchen
Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge #1221 – 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays. Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge #1221, 2425 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Catfish, cod, bluegill, walleye, shrimp, fries, applesauce, fried mushrooms, hush puppies, onion rings, side salad, slaw and more. Available for members and qualified guests accompanied by a member. facebook.com/Lodge1221.BellevilleSwansea
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church – 4:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays, March 7, 28 & April 18. Blessed Sacrament Parish, 8709 W. Main St., Belleville.
Collinsville American Legion Post 365 – 3-7:45 p.m. Fridays. Collinsville American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. Cod, shrimp, catfish, crab cakes, kids meals and sides. Curbside (Fridays only), carryout or dine-in. 618-345-2508; collinsvillepost365.com
CWV Kitchen – 4-8 p.m. Fridays. Catholic War Veterans Post 370, 3535 S. Route 159, Freeburg (between Belleville and Smithton). Cod, catfish, shrimp, cole slaw, fries, hush puppies, onion rings, side salad and more.
Glen Carbon American Legion Post 435 – 4:30-8 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 435, 190 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Dinners and sandwiches, catfish, cod, jack salmon, Alaskan white fish, popcorn shrimp and chicken strips, slaw, fries, baked beans and more. Carryout available. 618-288-7119 or facebook.com/amlegion435.
Highland Knights of Columbus Council 1580 – 4-7 p.m. Fridays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11 & 18. Highland Knights of Columbus Council 1580, 12454 IL-143, Highland. Cod (baked or fried), shrimp, chicken strips, grilled cheese, fries, cole slaw, macaroni salad, applesauce, desserts. Dine-in/carryout. Cash, credit and debit accepted. facebook.com/HighlandKnightsofColumbusCouncil1580
Highland VFW Post 5694 – 4-7 p.m. Fridays. VFW Post 5694, 1900 VFW Road, Highland. Fish, shrimp, chicken, potato salad, fries, onion rings, slaw, applesauce, bread and desserts. Dine-in and carryout. No call-in orders. facebook.com/vfwpost5694
Holy Family Catholic Church – 4-7 p.m. Fridays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4 & 11. Holy Family Catholic Church, 2606 Washington Ave., Granite City. Cod, walleye, shrimp and sides. Drive-thru only.
Holy Trinity Catholic Church – 3:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11. Holy Trinity, 505 Fountains Parkway, Fairview Heights. Fish and shrimp (plate, sandwich, pound), fries, slaw, green beans, applesauce, mac & cheese, onion rings, hush puppies, spaghetti. Carryout begins at 3:30 p.m. Dine-in begins at 4 p.m. holytrinityil.org; facebook.com/holytrinityil
Immaculate Conception – 3-7 p.m. Fridays, March 7, 14, April 4 & 18. Immaculate Conception Parish, 411 Palmer Road, Columbia. icc-columbia-il.us
Joey’s Scratch Kitchen & Catering at KC Club & Event Center – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays. KC Club & Event Center, 5420 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon. Cod/Catfish plates with hush puppies, bread and choice of two sides: crinkle-cut fries, cole slaw, spaghetti, extra hush puppies. Dine-in and carryout. facebook.com/KCClubEastStLouis
Maryville MPH Church Knights of Columbus – 4-7 p.m. Fridays March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4 & 11. MPH Parish Center, 200 N. Lange, Maryville. Costs: $12 for two pieces of cod fish, choice of fries or onion rings; cole slaw (homemade), bread, two hush puppies (homemade) and a drink; $8 for one piece of cod fish, fries or onion rings, cole slaw, bread, two hush puppies and a drink. mphmaryville.org
Mascoutah VFW Post 7682 – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Fridays. Mascoutah VFW Post 7682, 620 Donaphan St., Mascoutah. Cod, catfish and walleye (sandwich, dinner, pound), potato salad, slaw, green beans, fries, onion rings, hush puppies. Dine in or carryout. 618-566-2288; mascoutahvfw.org/fish
Millstadt Sportsman’s Club – 4-8 p.m. Fridays. Millstadt Sportsman’s Club, 4915 Schmidt Lane, Belleville. Cod, shrimp, walleye, salmon patties, sides. Carryouts available. 618-476-1891.
Millstadt VFW Post 7980 – 4-8 p.m. Fridays. VFW Post 7980, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp (plate, sandwich or pound), sides, appetizers, kids menu and more. 618-476-1180; facebook.com/MillstadtVFWPost
O’Fallon Knights of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod, tilapia and catfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. 618-632-6229; facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239
Our Lady Queen of Peace – 4:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays, March 14 and April 4. 5915 North Belt West, Belleville. Cod, fish (baked) tacos, peel-and-eat shrimp, salad, homemade sides: French fries, QP slaw, mac & cheese, potato salad. Desserts and drinks. Dine in/carryout. facebook.com/QPRaiders
The Quail Club – 5-8 p.m. Every Friday during Lent. Quail Club, 8303 Concordia Church Road, Belleville. Cod, walleye, shrimp, chicken strips, burgers, fries, onion rings, potato salad, slaw, stewed tomatoes, hush puppies and more. quailclub.com
Shiloh Eagles Aerie 545 – 5-7 p.m. Fridays. 100 Eagle Drive, Belleville. Cod, walleye and catfish (dinner, sandwich or pound), shrimp and chicken strips. Dinners include two sides: slaw, fries, spaghetti, applesauce, hush puppies, cheese balls, onion rings. 618-624-5412; shiloheagles545.com
Smithton Turner Hall – 5-8 p.m. Fridays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11 & 18. Turner Hall, 115 N. Julia, Smithton. Baked and fried cod loins in both plates and by the pound, grilled cheese, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, fries, baked potato, cole slaw, stewed tomatoes, mac and cheese and hush puppies. Dine-in and carryout. 618-277-9690; facebook.com/smithton.turnerhall
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church – 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18 & 25. American Legion Post 1227, 391 Louis St., Beckemeyer. Whole catfish, cod, bluegill, shrimp, choice of two sides: German potato salad, regular potato salad, slaw, fries, mac & cheese. Dine-in or carryout.
St. George Catholic Church – 3:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, April 4. St. George Parish, 200 N. Third St., New Baden. Drive-thru fish dinner: Vehicles should approach the church from Hanover Street, proceeding north on Third Street and following the signs to enter the drive-thru. Fried cod, fried potatoes, mac-n-cheese, green beans, stewed tomatoes, coleslaw, cake. Carryout available. 618-977-7687.
St. Henry Catholic Church – 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11 & 18. St. Henry Mgr. Voss Parish Center, 5303 W. Main St., Belleville. Fried cod, fried shrimp, baked salmon, sides: Homemade cole slaw, French fries, onion rings, mac-n-cheese, hush puppies, spaghetti, soup, dessert. Fish sold by the plate, sandwich or pound. Cash, credit or debit cards accepted. Dine in or carryout. Discount for police, firefighter, military and EMS personnel. 618-540-8383.
St. Joseph Catholic Church – 4-7 p.m. Fridays March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4 & 11. St. Joseph Parish Center, 6 N. Alton St., Freeburg. Baked and fried cod (plate, sandwich or pound), fried shrimp, grilled cheese, baked potato, fries, cole slaw, green beans, mac & cheese, spaghetti, stewed tomato.
St. Joseph Catholic Church – 4:30-6:30 p.m. Fridays March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4 & 11. St. Joseph Catholic Church, 901 N. Alton St., Lebanon. Fried cod, catfish, shrimp, French fries, cole slaw, potato salad, applesauce, hush puppies and desserts. Dine in or carry out.
St. Mary Catholic Church – 4-7 p.m. Fridays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4 & 11. St. Mary Parish, 1706 W. Main St., Belleville. Fried cod, fried walleye, chicken strips, shrimp, hush puppies, applesauce, potato salad, slaw, fries, sweet potato fries and jalapeño poppers. Fish and shrimp combo platters and kids’ chicken strip baskets. Cash, check or charge.
St. Teresa Men’s Club – 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays, March 7, 14, 21, 28 & April 4. St. Teresa Catholic School, 1108 Lebanon Ave., Belleville. Fish, shrimp, spaghetti, sides. Sandwich or dinner plate. Dine in or carryout. Credit/debit/cash accepted. facebook.com/stteresamensclubfishfry
This story was originally published March 4, 2025 at 5:30 AM.