You only have one more week to get that crunchy, juicy, flaky fried fish for Lent! This is a dish that never misses, especially with Pittsburgh’s tradition of the neighborhood fish fry. Starting on Ash Wednesday through Good Friday on April 18, many Christians and Catholics 18 years give up particular foods or habits for Lent. Those 14 years and up abstain from eating meat (besides fish) on Fridays.
To replace the missed protein, many churches, lodges, fire departments, and restaurants hold fish fries where those participating or not can come enjoy a delicious meal of deep fried goodness. These fish fries each Friday during Lent usually consist of a fried fish or shrimp entree along with mac and cheese, haluski, or french fry sides. Because we’re sure you’re hungry just thinking about all these yummy flavors, here’s a list of places to find your friendly fish meal.
There are even more fish fry options on the official Pittsburgh Lenten Fish Fry Map.
The Best Fish Fry in Pittsburgh
We asked you all to choose the best fish fry in Pittsburgh to make sure you hit up the best of the best on Good Friday. After many many comments, it was actually a fairly unanimous decision. Your 2025 Best Fish Fry in Pittsburgh is… Community Kitchen Pittsburgh! Everyone falls for their fish sandwiches which come in a hearty size and have the perfect ratio of breading to fish. We promise it’ll be worth the trip to Hazelwood just to catch their specials before it’s too late. Not to mention, their menu extends beyond your basics to include other dishes like pierogies, haluski, and even a Strawberry Shortcake Parfait for dessert.
Find a Fish Fry in Pittsburgh Near You During Lent 2025
Saint Jude Parish
Shadyside
The first Friday of Lent, head to Saint Jude Parish for fried fish sandwich and shrimp dinners. Alongside these golden brown delights you can choose from fries and coleslaw or mac and cheese and coleslaw for your sides. Plus, for little ones they also have pizza slices and desserts for purchase.
North Braddock VFD
North Braddock
Chow down on deep fried cod from the North Braddock VFD Ash Wednesday and every Friday of Lent. Choose from cod or shrimp for dinner then add on crab cakes, haluski, and mac and cheese to make it a feast.
Skyview VFD West Mifflin #4 Station 296
West Mifflin
Eat in, take out, or get the Skyview VFD’s delicious Lenten specials delivered on Ash Wednesday and Fridays. Dine on Fish Sandwiches, Shrimp Baskets, and Crab Cake Dinners accompanied by heaping sides of haluski and mac and cheese. They also carry a Grilled Cheese dinner for the any picky eaters of the family.
Saint Aidan Parish
Wexford
All proceeds proceeds from the Saint Aidan Parish fish fry go directly back into the Saint Aidan Parish and Blessed Francis Seelos Academy. Here you can call ahead or order online for curbside service and takeout starting Ash Wednesday and continuing each Friday. For your entree you can choose from breaded and fried shrimp, baked Atlantic cod, or breaded and fried Atlantic cod. Follow it up with a choice of side from macaroni and cheese to french fries to a baked potato. You even get a second choice of side between applesauce or coleslaw.
Saint Paul of the Cross Parish
Castle Shannon
You’re sure to have leftovers after dining at the Saint Paul of the Cross Parish’s Fish Fry. Order any of their seafood dinners (cod, shrimp, or crab cakes) that come with sides of coleslaw, baked potato or french fries, and a roll. Don’t forget to pick up dessert and pierogies from Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church.
St. Joseph the Worker Parish
Forest Hills
Fish sandwiches, sides, drinks, a huge bake sale, and pierogies, oh my! You’re sure not to leave hungry after enjoying crispy deep fried or baked fish, fresh shrimp, haluski, mac and cheese, coleslaw, pizza, and more. Just make sure you leave room for a sweet treat at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish’s bake sale.
Allegheny Elks Lodge #339
North Shore
If you’re near the North Shore then you don’t have to travel far for a fish fry. Each meal of hand-breaded Atlantic cod on a Breadworks roll comes with two choices of either fries, mac and cheese, stewed tomatoes, or coleslaw as sides. The lodge notes that line wait times could be up to an hour and a half long so be sure to get there early, it’s worth the wait.
Divine Grace Parish
Cranberry Township
Take out or dine in to enjoy something a little different from Divine Grace Parish. This year, they will be serving Fish Tacos as a dinner option accompanied by one starch and one side option. But you can still go traditional with a fish sandwich, shrimp main course, or pierogi dinner.
Saints Martha & Mary Parish
Allison Park
There’s nothing worse than getting to a fish fry to realize it’s cash only ayour wallet is empty. Thankfully, Saints Martha and Mary Parish accepts credit cards for dine-in, takeout, and curbside orders. This church carries both fried and baked versions of their fish along with pierogies, haluski, fish tacos, tomato soup, and even whole pizzas.
Christ Church
Bethel Park
Fridays from March 7 to April 11 you can choose to dine in for lunch (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) or dinner (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.) at Christ Church. While their menu can change, expect to find fish sandwiches, fried fish, boom-boom shrimp, chicken fingers, mac and cheese, haluski, french fries, and coleslaw.
Community Kitchen Pittsburgh
Hazelwood
This year’s fish fry fundraiser for Community Kitchen Pittsburgh plans to be bigger than ever, even including their food truck in the fish fry fun. Keep an eye on their food truck’s locations or head to their permanent space in Hazelwood for beer from Hazel Grove Brewing and Girl Scout Cookies available certain days. There will be plenty of pierogies, fish sandwiches, coleslaw, haluski, mac and cheese, and french fries.
If you’re looking to have your own at-home “fish fry” this year, try our Fancy Fish Sticks for your next dinner.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo courtesy of Seb Reivers
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