Fish fry

A fish fry is a meal usually consisting of battered and fried fish, french fries, coleslaw, hushpuppies, lemon slices, tartar sauce, malt vinegar and dessert. Usually served on Friday nights during Lent as a restaurant special; often served "all you can eat" and occasionally as family style (serving dishes brought to and left at the table). Beer is common beverage of choice to accompany a fish fry. A fish fry will often include potato pancakes (with accompanying side dishes of sour cream or applesauce) and sliced caraway rye bread if served in a German restaurant or area.

A Shore Lunch is traditional in Northern USA & Canada. For decades outdoor enthusiasts have been cooking their catch on the shores of their favorite lake. From the far reaches of remote wilderness points, fishing guides would prepare the freshly caught fish for their guests on open flames along the sandy shorelines.

Fish fries are very common in the Midwestern and Northeastern regions of the United States. This is especially true for predominantly Roman Catholic communities on Fridays during Lent, when regulations calling for abstaining from most meat products are in effect. In Wisconsin, a fish fry is offered at almost all non-chain restaurants, taverns that serve food and some chain restaurants on Friday nights throughout the entire year. Going out for a Friday night fish fry is a popular year round tradition in Wisconsin, where it is common among people of any religious background. A typical Wisconsin fish fry consists of fried perch or walleye, baked beans, french fries, coleslaw and bread.

Battered or breaded haddock fish fry is one of the trademarks of Upstate New York cuisine, especially Buffalo, as well as Rochester, Syracuse, New York and Newport, New York. The majority of restaurants in these cities serve fish fry on Friday, even outside of Lent, and it's often available throughout the week.

outheastern U.S. Social/Family Event

In the Southern portion of the United States, a fish fry is a family or social gathering, held outdoors or in large halls. At a typical fish fry, quantities of freshwater fish (such as bream, catfish, flounder and bass) available locally are battered and deep fried in cooking oil. The batter usually consists of corn meal, milk or buttermilk, and seasonings. In addition to the fish, hushpuppies (deep fried, seasoned corn dumplings), and cole slaw are served. These events are often potluck affairs. The world's largest fish fry is held each spring in Paris, Tennessee.

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus have long been proponents of holding fish fries on Fridays. Most parish based councils hold fish fries on Fridays during Lent, while other more well-off councils hold such events either monthly or bi-monthly throughout the year. Still others hold the event once or twice a year, according to demand and financial capabilities. Knights of Columbus fish fries are often advertised throughout the local parish or local community as a family event, often resulting in a social environment for parishioners to come together.

Karimeen fish fry is also popular in Kerala, India.

ee also

* Wurst mart
* Fish boil
* Seafood boil
* Fasting and Abstinence in the Roman Catholic Church
* Fish and chips
* Pescado frito‎