Here’s a list of fish fries in southwestern Illinois as Lenten season is about to begin

With Ash Wednesday and Lent upon us, many people in the metro-east will be looking for a local fish fry. There are plenty to choose from, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following is a list of places to get your fish over the next several weeks, as well as a couple of Ash Wednesday church events. Organizations holding similar events can send information to lifestyle@bnd.com.

Church Events

▪ Ashes-To-Go — 7:30-8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 4:30-6 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17. Our Lord’s Lutheran Church, 150 Wilma Drive, Maryville. Drive-through option for imposition of ashes by Pastor Darla Ann Kratzer. Participants will remain in their cars during the event. An online service will take place at 7 p.m. at ourlords.org/live.

▪ Catholic Bishop to Distribute Ashes — 8 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17. Cathedral of St. Peter, 200 W. Harrison St., Belleville. Bishop Michael McGovern will celebrate Mass and distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday. Ashes will be distributed at the ramp (east) entrance. The early morning Mass and blessing of the ashes will begin at 6:30 a.m.

Fish Fry Events

▪ O’Fallon Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and every Friday until Easter. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod available with several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229.

▪ Mascoutah Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and 5-8 p.m. Fridays. Mascoutah VFW Post 7682, 620 Donaphan St., Mascoutah. Call 618-566-2288 to order.

▪ Collinsville American Legion Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and 3-7:30 p.m. Fridays. Collinsville American Legion, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. Curbside delivery and dine-in. Menu for Ash Wednesday limited to fish sandwiches or plates with fries and slaw. Cash or check only. Place an curbside order by calling 618-345-2508. facebook.com/legionpst365

▪ Swansea Fish Stand – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 216 Service St., Swansea. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and more. Saturday: fried chicken. Open for carryout and call-in orders, limited dine-in. 618-222-7171. facebook.com/swanseafishstand

▪ Millstadt Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17 and Fridays. Millstadt VFW Post, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Call ahead for carryout. Indoor dining. 618-476-1180. facebook.com/MillstadtVFWPost

▪ Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge Fish Fry — Noon to 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and 4:30-6:30 p.m. Fridays. Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge, 2425 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Call in an order at 618-233-1450 or 618-233-2600. Dine-in available. facebook.com/BellevilleSwanseaMooseLodge1221

▪ 8th annual Greenville Firefighters Dave Marti Memorial Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17. Greenville VFW, 2043 S. 4th St., Greenville. Menu: Alaskan pollock, bread, green beans, coleslaw, potato salad, coffee, tea, water. Cash bar available. Dine-in or carryout. Cost: $9.50.

▪ National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Lenten Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and Fridays during Lent. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 S. DeMazenod Drive, Belleville. Cod and fried pollock (sandwich, plate or pound), shrimp, sides. Dine-in or carryout. 618-397-6700 or snows.org/fish-fry-fridays

▪ St. Elizabeth Church Fish Fry - 4-7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and Fridays during Lent. St. Elizabeth Church, 2300 Pontoon Road, Granite City. Cod, pollock, shrimp. Carryout only (may change to drive-up/in-house as COVID dictates).

▪ Aviston Legion Fish & Chicken Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and Fridays. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod, catfish, shrimp, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311. avistonlegion.com

▪ Waterloo VFW Fish Fry - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays during Lent. Metzger Crook Post 6504, 406 Veterans Drive, Waterloo. Sold by the pound, sandwich or plate. Cod, catfish, walleye, salmon and shrimp. Carryout only. 618-939-7999.

▪ St. Joseph Church Fish Fry — 4-6:30 p.m. Fridays from Feb. 19 through March 26. St. Joseph’s Parish Center, 6 N. Alton St., Freeburg. Fried cod loins, (plate, sandwich or pound), shrimp, green beans, fries, homemade slaw, mac and cheese. Sponsored by the Support Committee. Carryout only. Order in person or by calling 618-539-4720.

▪ Collinsville Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 1 Columbus Plaza, Collinsville. Limited menu. Dine-in and drive-thru. No call-in orders. facebook.com/KC1712

▪ Highland Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Fridays. VFW Post 5694, 1900 VFW Road, Highland. Fish, chicken, shrimp, sides. Carry-out and limited indoor dining. Masks required for customers going through the serving line. No call-in orders. facebook.com/vfwpost5694

▪ St. Mary Parish Fish Fry — 4-6:30 p.m. Fridays from Feb. 19 to Good Friday, April 2. 1706 W. Main St., Belleville. Drive-thru only. Menu includes fried cod, potato salad, slaw, fries, sweet potato fries, jalapeno poppers and fried mac and cheese. Fish is $14/lb.

▪ St. Teresa Catholic School Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays from Feb. 19 through March 19. St. Teresa Catholic Grade School parking lot, 1108 Lebanon Ave., Belleville. Drive-thru fish fry.

▪ St. Henry Church Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays from Feb. 19 through April 2. Monsignor Voss Parish Center, 5303 W. Main St., Belleville. Fried cod, shrimp, baked salmon. Sides: Spaghetti, fries, homemade slaw, mac and cheese, onion rings, hush puppies. Desserts. Carryout only. No call-in orders. Credit and debit cards accepted. For information: 618-540-8062.

▪ O’Fallon American Legion Fish Fry - 4-8 p.m. Fridays from Feb. 19 through April 2. O’Fallon American Legion, 109 N. Penn, O’Fallon. Dine-in or carryout. 618-632-8879.

▪ Troy VFW Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Fridays. Troy VFW Post 976 and Auxiliary, 123-A W. Market St., Troy. Cod, catfish, jack salmon, baked fish, chicken strips, shrimp. 618-667-8387. facebook.com/TroyVfwPost976

▪ Shiloh Eagles Fish Fry — 5-7 p.m. Fridays. Shiloh Eagles 545, 100 Eagle Drive, Shiloh. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and sides. Full menu. Dine-in or carryout available. For carryout, call 618-624-5412.

This story was originally published February 16, 2021 at 5:00 AM.