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 on February 18 through Good Friday on April 3, many Christians and Catholics of 18 years and older 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.
The Best Fish Fry in Pittsburgh
Community Kitchen 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, and finding out they sell nearly 1,000 pieces of fish each week, it was actually a fairly unanimous decision. Your 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 on a Breadworks bun. Plus they season their fish with a special blend of spices and let the prepared fish rest for a whole day before frying so it’s unlike anything you’ve had before. We promise it’ll be worth the trip to Hazelwood just to take in the atmosphere as well as see the culinary students hard at work.
During Lent season, each Friday at Community Kitchen turns into a party with Motown music, activities for the kids, Hazel Grove Brewing beer, and Girl Scout Cookies for purchase. Not to mention, their menu extends beyond your basics to include other dishes like pierogis, french fries, and even a changing dessert each week. The best part though may be their homemade tartar and cocktail sauce secret recipes that’ll have you on your knees begging for more!
TABLE Magazine’s Personal Picks
Moonlit Burgers
We know, we know, burger is literally in the name of this restaurant in Dormont, Uptown, Sewickley, and Garfield. But, oddly enough their fish sandwich is immediately devour-able. You’ll only catch this sandwich on Fridays during Lent so hurry to try their stack of Panko Fried Cod with Moonlit Remoulade, Signature Moon Sauce, lettuce, tomato, and pickle all on a Martin’s Potato Roll. Then of course you have to add on a side of their shoestring french fries and slaw.
Big Jim’s
Though Big Jim’s menu is pretty extensive, the Fried Fish Sandwich is a must-try in Lower Greenfield also known as “The Run.” It comes in a small and large size though really it should be called a large and larger size as you’re sure to leave full even with a small. Each sandwich comes with coleslaw but there are plenty of other menu items to share from fries to calm strips to eggplant parmigiana and everything in between.
Allegheny Elks Lodge #339
Another popular option along the North Shore that you don’t have to travel far for comes from Allegheny Elks Lodge #339. 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.
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 on Ash Wednesday and every Friday. Don’t forget to pick up dessert and pierogis 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.
Divine Grace Parish
Cranberry Township, Zelienople, and Ellwood City
Take out or dine in to enjoy something a little different from Divine Grace Parish as well as St. Gregory School and Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. 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 and your 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 pierogis, haluski, fish tacos, tomato soup, and even whole pizzas.
Christ Church
Bethel Park
Fridays 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.
There are even more fish fry options on the official Pittsburgh Lenten Fish Fry Map.
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
Photography by Laura Petrilla at Community Kitchen Pittsburgh
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