Fish Fry Reviews

The reviews are in! Having finally visited our 2 favorite church fish frys and another one that was new to us this year, I can give you the definitive word on which one offers what and how good it is.

First up - So far this year we've been to Monona's IHM fish fry at least twice. They continue to serve consistently good fish with little to no wait time, and the ambiance is pretty decent for a church school cafeteria (little lights, decorations made by school kids, round tables). IHM offers three kinds of fish (all you can eat - baked, breaded and beer battered), tossed salad, cole slaw, applesauce, baked potatoes, french fries, rolls, water coffee, and 2-3 kinds of ice cream. Beer and wine are available at an additional charge. In our little group, opinions are divided about which fish choice is the best. Most of us prefer the beer battered but a vocal minority likes the breaded. The fish is cooked in the small school kitchen then transferred to steam containers to keep it warm, which degrades the breading/batter a bit. The CS was the creamy type, which about half of us prefer to the vinegar-type. The food is served buffet style, with volunteer waiters helpfully bringing refills of anything you need. Bottom line - good, reliable food, nice atmosphere, short wait if any. $10 per adult

Next, we checked out Madison's St. James Catholic Church's fish fry. This one was new to us and apparently has a shorter season - Feb 27 - April 3 (this year anyway - my guess is that it varies depending on when Easter falls in a given year.) They offer two kinds of fish - baked and fried (I think it was beer battered but don't recall - anyone?), roasted red skinned potatoes, highly seasoned potato wedges, coleslaw, applesauce, rye bread, coffee and water. Beer and wine were available at an additional charge, as was dessert. The guys found this to be the best option for beer - they got New Glarus' Spotted Cow for $2 (same price as the Miller offerings at other ffs.) The baked fish was quite good, as were the roasted potatoes. The wedges had a good, if spicy, flavor but were quite mealy. The fried fish was not remarkable. Volunteer waitstaff take your order and bring the food to you, which is a nice touch. Atmosphere is standard church basement, but fairly spacious. We were seated right away. Bottom line - good effort, but overall not our favorite. $9 per adult, tipping encouraged.

Last, and best - St. Peter's in Ashton. This is the first local church fish fry that I ever attended, probably at least ten years ago, and therefore is the sentimental favorite. But apart from that it's just really good. The least appealing feature is the long wait. Last night we were seated in record time, ie, about 40 minutes. When we left the lines looped up and back in the school hallway and out the door into the parking lot. That is a lot of waiting! We chatted with our hostess while we waited, and she was telling us that people come from out of town and plan their weekends around the St. Pete's fish fry. I believe it.
But onto the details...one kind of fish (fried), a vegetable (last night - corn), french fries, baked potatoes, bread, vinegar-type coleslaw, coffee and milk. Beer, pop and water available at additional cost. Dessert is included and homemade - last night, that cake that you bake, poke holes into, and then pour jello over - is it called poke cake? Anyway - yum! Great frosting! But I'm going in the wrong order...back to the fish, which is just fantastic! Crispy, hot, flaky - delish! Right from the fryer to the table - served family style. The fries were crispy and good, the baked potatoes steamy. The bottom line - Outstanding - restaurant quality fish, good to great side dishes, homemade desserts - other than the wait, no drawbacks. $11 per adult, plus the scenic drive to Ashton.

Happy eating!