Looking for fried fish for Lent? Here are some options for Lexington
Mardi Gras has passed (sort of, lots of restaurants are planning do-overs after the weather and the pandemic really put the hurt on this year’s event) and now people are looking for fried fish.
Fish on Fridays is a tradition for many Catholics during the Lenten season. And the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has meant changes for the weekly fish fry that many Lexington churches host.
But you don’t have to be religious to like a good piece of fish.
Here are some local places to catch a great sandwich or a seafood special, while they are in season.
Lexington Church fish fries
Cathedral of Christ the King, 299 Colony Blvd, will have a Lenten Fish Fry on Fridays Feb. 19 to March 26 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., drive-thru only because of COVID restrictions. You get fish, slaw, fries and hushpuppies for $8, check or card only.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1730 Summerhill Dr., will have drive-thru Lenten Fish Fry every Friday Feb. 19 through March 26, $10 per person over 12, $5 per person ages 5-12.
Charlie’s Fresh Seafood Market
Charlie’s Fresh Seafood Market, 926 Winchester Rd., is where locals go. The fish sandwich special comes highly recommended. It’s so big, the fried fillets don’t fit on the buns. Charlie’s also sells fresh and frozen seafood. Call 859-255-6005 for more information.
The Ketch Seafood Grill
The Ketch Seafood Grill, 2012 Regency Rd., is another place with a local following for its fish sandwiches, po’boys and much more. Call 859-277-5919 for more information.
Palmers Fresh Grill
Palmers Fresh Grill, 161 Lexington Green Circle, has Kentucky beer-battered cod fillets served with bistro fries, napa cabbage slaw and poblano tartar sauce. There’s also a nice lakeside patio if it’s warm enough to sit outside. Call 859-273-0103 for more information.
Lexington Seafood Co.
Lexington Seafood Co., 867 East High St., is known for its fresh fish, seafood, shrimp and oysters but they will cook you a piece for lunch, too. Call 859-266-8888 to place an order.
Sidebar Grill
Sidebar Grill, 147 North Limestone, usually has fish on the lunch menu as well as for dinner through Lent. You can get a fish sandwich or fish & chips. Call 859-225-8883 for more information.
Horse and Jockey Pub
Horse & Jockey Pub, 131 Cheapside, is an Irish gastropub downtown that has traditional fish & chips on its menu.
Dudley’s on Short
Dudley’s on Short, 259 West Short St., usually offers Friday fish specials for dinner throughout Lent. Sometimes chef Mark Richardson even does a take on the classic fish & chips.
Smithtown Seafood
Smithtown Seafood, 501 West Sixth St., is tucked right into the West Sixth Brewery, so you can pair your food with a West Sixth beer. Smithtown also has burgers and vegetarian offerings on the menu, too. Call 859-303-4100 for more information.
J. Render’s
J. Render’s Southern Table & Bar, 3191 Beaumont Centre Circle, will have beer-battered white fish, fries, creamy cole slaw and house-made tartar sauce as well as a fish sandwich available daily during Lent.
Oscar Diggs
Oscar Diggs, 155 North Limestone, will have fish specials, such as fish & chips and fish sandwiches in addition to the blackened fish po-boy on the regular menu.
Joella’s Hot Chicken
Joella’s Hot Chicken, 101 Cochran Rd. and 2305 Sir Barton Way, is bringing back the Crispy Cod Sammie, for a limited time only. From Feb. 17 through April 4, you can get the fish double beer-battered and fried, and topped with Sweet Vinegar Slaw and Bama White Dippin’ Sauce. The Crispy Cod Sammie can be prepared with any of Joella’s six famous heat levels including Traditional Southern (no heat), Spiked Honey, Ella’s Fav, Tweener, Hot and Fire-In Da-Hole (inferno-level hot). And this year Crispy Cod is available as a plate as well.
Shamrock Bar & Grille
Shamrock Bar & Grille, 154 Patchen Drive and 4750 Hartland Parkway, will have fish ‘n chips, fried catfish sandwich and a blackened catfish entree. They will do a shrimp po boy and a fish entree special every Friday during Lent.
Bourbon n Toulouse
Bourbon n Toulouse, 829 Euclid Ave., will have shrimp etouffee and shrimp creole ever Friday of Lent. They only serve the Creole during Mardi Gras and Lent each year so get it while you can.
Bear & The Butcher
Bear & The Butcher, 815 Euclid Ave., has lots of fish dishes on the regular menu, including cod loin in beer batter with house tartar sauce, malt vinegar and hand-cut Belgian fries and more. Weekly specials will be posted on their social feeds.
Lexington Diner
Lexington Diner, 841 Lane Allen Rd., has a beer battered fish sandwich and fried fish dinner every day. And on Friday you can also get cornmeal-fried whitefish, house-made hushpuppies & choice of side. They also have salmon patties like the old Rogers restaurant used to serve.
Azur
Azur, 3070 Lakecrest Circle, has fish tacos, woven shrimp, salmon, sea grits (shrimp, scallops, lobster butter), oysters on the half-shell and a daily fresh catch.
LaRosa’s
LaRosa’s Family Pizzeria, 2890 Richmond Rd. and 115 Southland Dr., has a fried cod hoagy and a fried fish dinner daily.
Parkette Drive In
Parkette, 1230 E. New Circle Rd., has burgers but they also are known for their famous fish boxes with fried fish, fries and slaw.
Goodwood
Goodwood Brewpub, 200 Lexington Gree Circle Suite 110, has fish and chips and its Oh My Cod Sandwich.
East End Tap & Table
East End Tap & Table, 333 E. Main St., has a special on Fridays: Get fried cod, fries, slaw and more.
Thoroughbred Restaurant
Thoroughbred Restaurant, 1483 Leestown Rd., has lots of fish on the menu every day, including fish & chips. Check social media for daily updates.
Old Vine Bistro
Old Vine Bistro, 400 Old Vine St., has cod fries, fish and chips and will have rotating options, including fish tacos, throughout Lent.
This story was originally published February 17, 2021 at 11:49 AM.
