All hands-on deck — O’Fallon KC Hall extends dinner hours for popular Lenten fish fries

Volunteers and staff at the O’Fallon Knights of Columbus Hall are gearing up for the biggest fish fry in town this Lenten season, and have extended Friday dinner service to 8 p.m.

“We wanted to accommodate everyone and help manage the expected volume,” said Manager Walter Haeffner said. “We appreciate everyone’s support and look forward to a great Lent season.”

However, he did warn, if people order after 6 p.m., expect a 45-minute wait or so.

“That is peak time and we will do our best to accommodate everyone within that time frame,” he said.

Directly across from the Community Park on U.S. Highway 50, the hall is operated by The Columbus Club, which is the incorporated entity responsible for the everyday operations and ongoing events.

The event hall and bar are open to the public. The biggest misconception is people must be a member to patronize, Haeffner said.

For Lent, they offer curbside pick-up, which proved popular during the pandemic and has continued, and people can call in orders at 618-632-6229.

The dining room is now open too. Seating is in the lower hall, a dining room adjacent to the bar, but if the crowd grows, the main hall is used.

There are children and senior discounts offered. Payment is by cash, check or credit/debit card.

Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season Feb. 22, and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and dinner from 4 to 7 p.m.

The remaining Fridays until Good Friday, April 7, lunch will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 8 p.m.

Kitchen Manager Chris Blome said they serve cod, catfish, tilapia, and shrimp, plus they offer pork steaks, burgers, and chicken tenders.

Menu options

The most popular fish is once frozen North Atlantic cod they cut and hand-bread. Blome said the breading is a secret special mix they put together.

The cod is sold as a plate with two sides, or as a sandwich, and in half-pound and whole pound quantities.

Side dishes include Blome’s special recipe macaroni and cheese, Haeffner’s ‘world famous’ baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, green beans, stewed tomatoes, French fries, onion rings, applesauce, hush puppies and spaghetti.

About 10-15 K of C Council 4239 members work in shifts to prepare plates, sandwiches, and dinners. Proceeds go towards their chosen charities.

Haeffer has been the hall manager about 10 years. He said after Lent, they will resume offering entertainment, as they recently sponsored tribute shows to Elvis, The Eagles and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

While the O’Fallon Knights of Columbus sponsor a fish fry every Friday during the year, their operation kicks into high gear during the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. The fraternal organization began fish fries around 1978.

“It’s all hands-on deck,” Haeffner said. “It’s going to be a jim-dandy this year. Ready or not, here we are.”

Catholics are forbidden to eat meat on Fridays during this religious observance of the Christian liturgical calendar.

About the Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus are a global fraternal organization of Catholic men. Their charitable work includes aid and assistance to the sick, disabled, and needy members of the families and the community.

It was founded on the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity in 1882 by the Rev. Michael J. McGivney at a parish in New Haven, Conn.

The O’Fallon K of C Council was formed in 1956, and ground was broken for the hall in 1962, and completed the next year. The first official function was a Thanksgiving Day dance Nov. 28, 1963, and the hall has been the site for many wedding receptions, family celebrations and fundraising events since then.

Charities the club supports included Special Olympics, Illinois Center for Autism in Fairview Heights, and SAVE (St. Clair Associated Vocational Enterprises).

For more information, visit the website, www.ofallonkchall.com, call 618-632-6229 or email: knightsofcolumbus4239@yahoo.com.

This story was originally published February 22, 2023 at 11:11 PM.