It's Lent and Friday fish fries are back
With the first Friday in Lent, fish frys are back. While some places keep the events going year-round, many more pop up this time of year at churches and other venues.
Mike McMahon, with the Arlington Heights Knights of Columbus, says the group's fish frys remain popular, regularly attracting more than 200 people. They help raise money for church youth programs and Special Olympics, he says.
The event is popular enough at St. Raymond de Penafort Catholic Church in Mount Prospect that seating options have been expanded.
"We will be offering seniors and adults without children the option of being seated in the relative quiet comfort of the Parish Community Room, where they will be waited upon by our junior high students," says Libby Bullock, who along with Corrie Cogan co-chairs the event. "Families with children will be served buffet-style in the more spacious gym area."
We've compiled a list of some of the fish frys we've come across in the Northwest suburbs. It's not comprehensive and doesn't list all menu options.
• Arlington Heights: Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays through March 18 at the KC Hall, 15 N. Hickory Ave. Cost is $10 adults, $5 children.
• Bartlett: Villa Olivia All You Can Eat Fish Fry, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays through March 25, 1401 W. Lake St. Cost is $13.99 adults, $9.99 children. Call (630) 289-1000.
• Elk Grove Village: The VFW 9284 Friday Fish Fry has been ongoing more than 40 years, every Friday of the year. Lunch is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner is 5:30 to 9 p.m. All you can eat perch during Lent for $9.50; cod and catfish available for a similar price. 400 E. Devon Ave.; (847) 439-9284.
• Mount Prospect: St. Raymond de Penafort Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry, 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 12 and 26, and March 11. Entrees are $9-$11, senior discount $1 off, children $5 to $7.
• Palatine: Holy Ghost Council 4977 Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry, 4-7 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 12, 19, 26 and March 11 and 18, St. Thomas of Villanova, 1202 E. Anderson Drive. Tilapia, cheese pizza, coleslaw, french fries, beverages, coffee and dessert. Cost is $10; $5 for ages 11 and younger; $28 for a family of four.
• American Legion Post 690 Lent Fish Fry Dinners: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays through March 25, 122 W. Palatine Road, Palatine. Raises funds for Legion Family Charities. Battered cod dinners are $10, $9 for seniors 65 and older, $4 for kids younger than 12. Includes fish, soup, potato, broccoli, coleslaw, fresh bread and dessert.