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 celebrate 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 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 18), then continue each Friday through April 3.
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.
St. Raymond of the Mountains Parish is offering cash-only lunch and dinner specials on Fridays from Feb. 20 through March 27 at the church hall at 164 School House Lane in Donegal. Friday dinners are $17 for beer-battered, fried fish, baked fish or fried shrimp from 3:30–7 p.m., Feb. 20 through March 27. Sides available include applesauce, coleslaw, green beans, french fries, haluski, mac and cheese and pierogies. Kid's meals are only $9. Eat-in or takeout is available.
Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensburg will host a Lenten fish-fry drive-thru, with lunch being served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and dinner from 4-7 p.m. Cash or credit card can be used
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 $16 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 finger dinner. Cash or credit/debit cards are accepted.
Restaurants
If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, be sure to check out Little E’s Pizzeria in Greensburg, which offers a 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.
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.
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 $15 while shrimp or crabcake dinners are $13.50. They’re also home to the Nozzlenut Sandwich, which includes cheese, fries and slaw on a fish sandwich for $14!
Hiller Volunteer Fire Company offers one of the largest menus we've seen, with pollock or cod, shrimp, clam strips, crab cakes, and even crab legs! Can’t decide? Try the combo platter!
Connellsville Township Volunteer Fire Department offers lunch and dinner options from 4 to 8 p.m. starting on Ash Wednesday. 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.
The Historic Stone House Restaurant & Inn, located in Farmington, offers a pecan-crusted salmon salad as well as seafood pasta, which includes a medley of scallops, jumbo lump crab and shrimp sauteed with garlic butter and herbs.
In Connellsville, The River's Edge Restaurant & Bar is offering Lenten seafood creations, including shrimp or fish tacos and langostino mac and cheese.
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 2026. A $17 dinner includes baked or fried fish, coleslaw, a choice of side, a roll, dessert and drink. A chicken tenders dinner is also available. Dine-in and takeout options are available from 4-6:30 p.m. on Fridays during Lent.
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 are available on Fridays through March 27, 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 streamlined its menu for 2026, and all dinners re now a la carte. Fried fish sandwiches, fried fish by the piece and steamed shrimp are available Fridays through March 27. Pizza and pagacz are also available as well as desserts. Pre-orders will no longer be accepted.
Confluence Volunteer Fire Co., will hold fish fry events from 5-7 p.m. on Fridays through March 20 at the Barlow Street Building in Confluence. A $13 meal includes french fries, coleslaw and hush puppies. Chicken tenders can be substituted for fish.
Restaurants
Shamrock Whiskey & Cigar Bar in Rockwood has quickly established itself as one of the best dining options in Somerset County. The open-concept kitchen features a number of options suitable for Lent, from the pierogies and shrimp sambuca appetizers to the lobster mac and cheese side dish to the teriyaki salmon entree.
Jennerstown's Flyin Lion Pub & Eatery offers several options, including lemon pepper haddock, beer-battered haddock, popcorn shrimp or the fried-fish combo and broiled seafood platter.
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!
