Fish fry Fridays beckon during Lenten season
On Fridays in Lent, Catholics thoughts turn to fish. And one of the more pleasurable ways to enjoy those meatless days can be with a Friday night fish fry. The events are popular at several local venues.
St. Raymond de Penafort Church in Mt. Prospect has been doing fish fries several Fridays each Lent for six years now, and they draw hundreds of people. Its next and last fish fry is Friday, April 3. The event takes place between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
For the parish, it serves as both a community building and fundraising, said David Cole, fish fry co-chair. Preparation begins a little after 3 p.m. setting up the outside cooking area and the tables in the school cafeteria. Adults fry the fish in turkey fryers and students help serve the food.
The menu includes fresh perch or cheese pizza, French fries, coleslaw, salad, dessert and beverages. The charge is $7 for adults, $4 for children over the age of 2. Senior can eat for $6 between 5 and 6 p.m. A donation-only bar is available for adults who'd like to enjoy a cold beer with their meal.
For the fish fry, enter the main door to the Catholic elementary school at the corner of Elmhurst Avenue and Milburn Street. Call (847) 253-8600.
In Arlington Heights, the Knights of Columbus holds a fish fries this Friday, April 3, April 17 and April 24 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., with music from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. It's at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 15 N. Hickory. Dinner is $7 for adults, $3.50 for children. It includes fish and chips, coleslaw, fritters and peach cobbler. There's no cover charge to listen to the music. Cocktails, beer and wine are available. Call (847) 255-4483.
In Wheeling, St. Joseph the Worker Church, 181 W. Dundee Road, holds a fish fry from 4-8 p.m. Fridays through April 3. The all-you-can-eat event includes choice of potato, coleslaw and rye bread. The charge is $7.50 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under. Shrimp dinners, salad bar and soup are available for an extra charge. Seniors can eat for $7, including salad bar, until 5 p.m. Call (847) 537-2740.