Fish Fry Fridays

By Jen Irwin

​There’s nothing more Pittsburgh than going to a Fish Fry on Friday nights during Lent. Restaurants, churches, and fire halls host them through Good Friday. Everyone is always welcome and they’re a great way to meet new people and spend time in different communities. 
Why a fish fry? Lent (February 22- April 6, 2023), is a 6-week religious observance by many Christians that leads up to Easter Sunday. On Fridays during Lent, Catholics abstain from eating meat. This has led to Fish Fry Fridays becoming a popular weekend destination this time of year. 
Many restaurants change their hours and adapt their menus to get in on the Fish Fry action. These are some of the best spots to order a colossal fish sandwich, a cold beer, and a side of Pittsburgh favorites pierogies or haluski…

• Big Jim’s, Greenfield
• Community Kitchen, Hazelwood
• D’s Six Pax and Dogs, Regent Square
• North Park Lounge, North Hills
• Primanti’s, all Pittsburgh locations
• Robert Wholey & Company, Strip District
• Rolland’s, Strip District
• Swissvale Volunteer Fire Department, Swissvale
• The Warren, Downtown 

Click here for an official, interactive Fish Fry map or check out local news stations and websites to see where the hot spots are. Plan accordingly because these are the place to be on Fridays, lines form fast, organizations run out of food and most are cash only. 
Whether you’re a native to the Steel City or a tourist looking to meet new people and experience new things, fish fries are truly a Pittsburgh tradition where you can raise your glasses to the days getting longer and spring being just around the corner!