It’s fish fry season!
Most residents of the Laurel Highlands know what that means, but not all do. While the history of fish fries is strong in Southwestern Pennsylvania, some will be experiencing their first Catholic Lenten season here.
For those who have not yet fully grasped all that entails, the Laurel Highlands is one of only a few regions in the United States that celebrates the fish fry tradition. Each Friday during Lent our church basements, restaurants and fire halls start dropping baskets into hot oil for a community celebration of deep-fried goodness.
Whether you're a fish fry aficionado or are new to the tradition, we invite you to try a Laurel Highlands fish fry by using this guide to locations, dishes and gatherings near you. We think you'll agree that this tradition is quite the catch.
FAQs about Fish Fries
How do I order? Since fish fries have changed over the past few years, we encourage you to call in advance and see if you can place your to-go order to help things run as smoothly as possible.
Do I have to belong to a church to attend? You don't have to be Catholic or from the community to participate in an amazing Laurel Highlands fish fry. All are welcome to attend.
What's on the menu? In Southwestern Pennsylvania, the main dish of a fish fry is usually a battered, deep-fried cod or haddock served on a bun or roll. Baked fish, shrimp and crabcakes are also popular main courses, but call in advance to see what's on the menu. Side dishes include Polish-American favorites like haluski and pierogis and more standard fare like coleslaw, fries and hush puppies.
When does this happen? Typically, fish fries are held every Friday during Lent, and the dates vary slightly each year. For 2024, most Laurel Highlands fish fries will kick off the week of Ash Wednesday (February 14), then continue each Friday through March 30.
How do I pay? While many places accept cards, it's still a good idea to bring cash. There often are cash-only activities to participate in while you're there such as raffles, dessert tables and more.
Where else can I celebrate? Outside of churches and community centers, many Laurel Highlands restaurants, wineries and breweries add Lenten specials to their menus. From giant fish sandwiches to five-star, farm-to-table fillets, the Laurel Highlands has something for every appetite and budget.
Westmoreland County
Churches and Community Centers
The tradition of eating fish during Lent dates to the third century, and Laurel Highlands churches carry on this tradition today. The Diocese of Greensburg Fish Fry Guide lists nearly two dozen locations throughout the region holding fish fries.
A local favorite is the Knights of Columbus fish fry at St. Joseph's Parish Hall in Derry, where $15 gets you a veritable feast of a half-pound of baked or fried cod plus coleslaw, green beans, roll and your choice of potato, pierogies, haluski (a delectable Polish dish of cabbage and buttered noodles) or mac and cheese.
Bring your appetite to Bell Township Volunteer Fire Department in Salina, which offers an all-you-can-eat buffet from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Ash Wednesday and every Friday during Lent. The $15 buffet includes dessert, and a take-out menu is also available.
Manor Volunteer Fire Department is offering an eat-in or take-out option every Friday during Lent. You can get a fish sandwich with two sides – fries, coleslaw, pierogies, haluski, or mac and cheese – for $15 or a shrimp dinner with two sides for the same price. For those able to eat meat on Fridays, a chicken strip dinner option is available.
Ligonier Township Volunteer Fire Department #1 in Waterford has a wide-ranging menu, with all dinners including your choice of two sides (green beans, mac and cheese, parsley potatoes, French fries); coleslaw; one dessert, roll or bun (with sandwich). Prices range from $15 for a baked fish dinner, fried fish dinner, fried fish sandwich dinner, and fried shrimp dinner to $12 for a chicken tender dinner and $10 for a fried fish sandwich. Credit/debit cards are now accepted, but a fee will be charged.
Community Church Harrison City has been "serving God and cod since 2005." A $16 meal includes one entree (fried or baked fish, chicken tenders, six pierogies or crab cake) plus a hot side (french fries, haluski, macaroni and cheese, three pierogies or green beans), a cold side (coleslaw, applesauce or tossed salad) plus a drink.
Restaurants and Breweries
If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, be sure to check out Little E’s Pizzeria in Greensburg, which offers gluten-free battered wild cod sandwich.
At locations throughout the Laurel Highlands, Eat'n Park has been serving up smiles since 1949. For 2024, Eat’n Park is offering a fish-fry-to-go, which includes two Whale of a Cod fish sandwiches, two orders of fresh chips with ranch dressing and a pint of soup or coleslaw. Try one in Greensburg, Irwin, New Stanton, Somerset, Uniontown, or other Laurel Highlands locations.
Even our craft beverage makers get in on the fish fry fun! Greenhouse Winery will also be hosting fish fries on Fridays with live music and tasty offerings. Kids and pets are welcome.
Planning a trip to the Youngwood Historical Railroad Museum and Station Cafe? Your Lenten diet can stay on track with their annual fish fry, which runs every Friday through Lent. The cafe offers a half-pound cod sandwich and coleslaw with your choice of haluski, three pierogies, or fries for $18, cash only. The Station Cafe is open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Fridays for eat-in or take-out. Take-out orders begin at 10:30 a.m. and no orders will be taken after 7:30 p.m.
Looking for a gluten-free option? Check out Little E's Pizzeria in Greensburg, which serves both regular and gluten-free beer-battered wild cod sandwiches.
Fayette County
Churches and Community Centers
There's plenty of fish fry to enjoy in all three counties! St. George Maronite Church in Uniontown is your place to go in the county for all the classic dishes. Pre-order is available – including online – so make sure you place your lunch orders with the office and your dinner orders so you can try everything they offer!
Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 will be open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Ash Wednesday and Fridays through Lent. A fish sandwich dinner – which includes fries and coleslaw – is just $14.50 while shrimp or crabcake dinners are $12.50. They’re also home to the Nozzlenut Sandwich, which includes cheese, fries and slaw on a fish sandwich!
Hiller Volunteer Fire Company offers one of the largest menus we've seen, with pollock or cod, shrimp, clams, crab cakes, and even crab legs! Can’t decide? Try the combo platter!
Connellsville Township Volunteer Fire Department offers lunch and dinner options for $13 starting on Ash Wednesday. Pre-orders are available, and you can dine in or get takeout.
Restaurants
Want to up your fish Friday game? There are plenty of places in Fayette County that take the traditional to the next level. Bittersweet Café in Farmington offers a salmon fillet sandwich with an upscale take: Alaskan sockeye salmon served with spring greens and an herb and caper mayo on a homemade bun.
Somerset County
Churches and Community Centers
Stoystown's Camp Allegheny is relatively new to the game -- 2024 marked the Christian camp and retreat center's fish fry debut -- but it's quickly become a hit, and the tradition will continue in 2025. A $15 dinner includes baked or fried fish, coleslaw, a choice of side, a roll, dessert and drink. Dine-in and takeout options are available from 4-6:30 p.m. on Fridays during Lent.
The Meyersdale Elks Lodge offers indoor dining and takeout from 4:30-7 p.m. each Friday during Lent. Takeout can be pre-ordered by calling 814-634-8411 from 7-9 p.m. Thursday. The menu includes fried or baked haddock, fries or baked potato, coleslaw, roll, and a beverage. Adult dinners are $13 for dine-in or $14 for takeout.
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Baltimore is famously known as the Church of the Turnpike, but in eastern Somerset County, it’s well known for its Lenten fish fry. Dinners, which are available on Fridays through April 11, include beer-battered haddock or baked cod or fried shrimp plus soup, baked potato, stewed tomatoes, green beans, haluski, coleslaw, dessert and beverage. Dine-in is available, as is takeout, which can be pre-ordered by calling 814-733-2110 by noon on Friday.
The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Lenten Fish Fry in Windber has been voted the Johnstown area’s best fish fry multiple times, and whether you get it baked or fried, you’ll taste the difference of fish wild-caught in Alaskan waters. Fillets are hand-cut and hand-breaded as needed in the church kitchen. The extensive menu also includes shrimp – breaded or steamed – parsley potatoes, haluski, paguch pizza and homemade gob cakes and pies. The fish fry is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays during Lent, and pre-orders will be taken by phone at 814-467-7191 beginning at 9 a.m. each Friday. The cost is $15 per meal.
Restaurants
While not exactly a Lenten special, the all-you-can-eat crab leg buffet at Seven Springs Mountain Resort is definitely special. For $51 at the Slopeside on Friday and Saturday nights, hungry diners get housemade soup, salad, rolls and entrees that include snow crab legs, baked salmon, shrimp scampi pasta, roasted potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese and steamed broccoli and cauliflower. Beef, chicken and Ham are also available.
Grab a fish hoagie at Tailgatez, or the fish sandwich from Oakhurst Grille.
We hope you take this invitation to become a part of the fish fry tradition of the Laurel Highlands and support community organizations, craft beverage makers, and restaurants that keep this unique tradition alive in our region!
