Fried fish guide: The best Lexington restaurants to find a fish sandwich for Lent
Once Mardi Gras is over and Lent begins, everybody wants to know one thing: Where can I get the best fried fish in Lexington?
Sure, you can get a fish sandwich at a drive-thru somewhere but sometimes you want a better option.
For a landlocked state, Kentucky has a powerful taste for fried fish. Fish on Fridays is a tradition for many Catholics during the Lenten season, which starts March 2 and ends April 14, just before Easter on April 17.
But you don’t have to be religious to like a good piece of fish. This list and guide offers some of the best local places to catch a great sandwich or a seafood special, while they are in season.
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. 859-255-6005
The Ketch Seafood Grill
The Ketch Seafood Grill, 2012 Regency Rd., is another place with a long-time local following for its fish sandwiches, po’boys and much more. 859-277-5919
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. 859-273-0103
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 beer-battered fish sandwich or fish & chips. 859-225-8883
Horse and Jockey Pub
Horse & Jockey Pub, 131 Cheapside, is an Irish gastropub downtown that has traditional ale-battered fish & chips on its menu for dinner. 859-554-5585
Dudley’s on Short
Dudley’s on Short, 259 West Short St., will offer Friday fish specials for dinner throughout Lent. Sometimes chef Mark Richardson even does a take on the classic fish & chips. 859-252-1010
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. 859-303-4100
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. 859-533-9777
Oscar Diggs
Oscar Diggs, 155 North Limestone, will have Kentucky Proud wild-caught catfish specials, such as catffish & chips, catfish po’boy and catfish tacos. 859-523-8305
Joella’s Hot Chicken
Joella’s Hot Chicken, 101 Cochran Rd. and 2305 Sir Barton Way, is bringing back the Crispy Cod Sammie for the Lent season. 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 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.
The Cellar Bar & Grille
The Cellar Bar & Grille, 3256 Lansdowne Dr., will also have fish and chips, bourbon glazed salmon and avocado salmon, along with a fish entree every Friday. 859-317-8301
Bourbon ’n’ Toulouse
Bourbon n Toulouse, 829 Euclid Ave., will have shrimp etouffee and shrimp creole every Friday of Lent. They only serve the Creole during Mardi Gras and Lent each year so get it while you can. Dine in, order curbside or delivery. 859-335-0300
Bear & The Butcher
Bear & The Butcher, 815 Euclid Ave., has fish when its available, including cod loin in beer batter with house tartar sauce, malt vinegar and hand-cut Belgian fries. They also offer a grilled salmon with bourbon glaze & Sriracha Shrimp Tacos daily. 859-469-9188
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. 859-303-5573
Azur
Azur, 3070 Lakecrest Circle, has fish tacos, woven shrimp, salmon, sea grits, tuna, oysters on the half-shell and a daily fresh catch. 859-296-1007
LaRosa’s
LaRosa’s Family Pizzeria, 2890 Richmond Rd. and 115 Southland Dr., has a fried cod hoagie 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. 859-254-8723
Goodwood
Goodwood Brewpub, 200 Lexington Green Circle Suite 110, has fish and chips, shrimp and grits and its Oh My Cod Sandwich. 859-407-1200
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. 859-252-9153
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. 859-523-4141
Soul To Go
Soul to Go, 101 W. Loudon Ave., at Julietta Market inside the Greyline Station does spicy fried catfish with sides and bread.
This story was originally published February 25, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
