Friday Fish Fry: A Wisconsin Favorite
It’s a Wisconsin tradition and no one should visit the state without trying a fish fry. Whether baked, breaded, beer-battered or in a sandwich, almost
Foraging for a Friday Fish Fry just got easier.
It’s a Wisconsin tradition and no one should visit the state without trying a fish fry. Whether baked, breaded, beer-battered or in a sandwich, almost every pub, diner and restaurant offers some sort of tribute to the Friday fish fry.
These Middleton restaurants all serve up a fantastic fish fry. And don’t be afraid to ask your server questions; Wisconsinites love introducing visitors to their favorite things.
Craftsman Table & Tap
Available daily at Craftsman Table & Tap, are the fish & chips – fried beer-battered or baked cod, served with criss-cut waffle fries, creamy coleslaw, sweet curry pickles, rye bread and tartar sauce. On Fridays, the menu expands to include beer-battered or broiled cod or walleye, served in white wine butter sauce and broiled lemons with the same sides. Click here. (Photo of fish & chips appears in header.)
Culvers
Culvers is not fast food, but it can be enjoyed dining style, carry out or by popping through a drive-thru. This Wisconsin-founded chain has a location on Parmenter Street right next door to the city’s oldest bakery. Enjoy fish fry any day with cod or walleye sandwiches, or hand-battered cod or walleye dinners (two or three pieces) with two sides and a dinner roll. The walleye is limited-time only. Click here.
Free House Pub
This historic downtown restaurant serves walleye, cod or Cajun catfish, fried or grilled, or the cod sandwich – all served with tartar sauce, lemon, coleslaw and a choice of side: french fries, cottage cheese or tossed greens. Or upgrade to sweet potato fries, garlic parmesan fries or pub chips. Click here.
Hubbard Avenue Diner
The popular diner known for its pie counter serves up a Friday fish fry special every week. The fish fry comes with three pieces of cod with fries, coleslaw, tartar sauce and the best potato roll. The baked cod comes with wild rice pilaf, vegetables and a potato roll. Add a house salad, cup of soup or side of mac & cheese with any order. Click here.
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse in Middleton is open for lunch and offering a Friday fish fry from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Click here.
Longtable Beer Cafe
Longtable Beer Cafe has a wall of more than 300 types of beer to match perfectly with its daily fish dishes, but from Feb. 18 through April 3 is Longtable’s “fish five ways!” Click here.
(No. 1) Two pieces of Alaskan cod hand-battered in Belgian-style witbier, (No. 2) Gluten-free pan-fried cod in cornmeal and rice flour (No. 3) Nashville Hot Fish Sandwich: crispy breaded cod, house pickles, citrus slaw, tartar sauce and Nashville hot sauce on a Clasen’s bun, served with choice of side. (No 4) Smoked Trout Sandwich: Smoked trout spread and pieces, pickled onion, cucumber, creme fraiche, fresh dill, on Madison Sourdough with choice of side; and served on Friday’s only is (No. 5) cornmeal crusted lake perch. After April 3, guests can still enjoy beer-battered or gluten-free cod and smoked trout sandwich.
Mid Town Pub
Choose between the lemon pepper grilled Icelandic cod, cod fried in New Glarus Spotted Cow beer batter or walleye at Mid Town Pub. All are served with coleslaw, garlic toast, tartar sauce and choice of side. There is also a kid’s option with one piece of beer-battered cod with french fries. Lunch includes two pieces and is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner is three pieces and can be ordered between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Lunch is Click here.
Middleton Sport Bowl
Middleton Sport Bowl has a Friday fish fry lunch and dinner special. Check its website for weekly updates but generally it’s fried or baked cod with baby red potatoes and coleslaw, and at dinner you can add fries and a dinner roll.
Monk’s Bar & Grill
Monk’s Bar & Grill is offering a special fish fry Friday which includes two or three pieces of beer-battered or baked cod, served with choice of potato, coleslaw, tartar sauce and lemon. Click here.
Nitty Gritty
The Nitty Gritty is known for its burgers but it also offers grilled salmon fillet sandwiches daily and for its Friday fish fry, try their beer-battered fish fry, served with choice of potato and coleslaw and side of tartar sauce – choose from cod, walleye or shrimp. Click here.
Paul’s Neighborhood Bar
Just on the edge of Downtown Middleton is a local favorite serving up a large Friday fish fry menu starting at 2 p.m. Choose from baked or fried cod or ocean perch; two pieces of fish with shrimp; and more. All dinners include coleslaw, rolls and a choice of potato. Starting March 7, Paul’s will also offer an all-you-can-eat fish fry option. Click here.
1847 at the Stamm House
Open for dinner only, this beautifully restored historic tavern has a daily menu that includes crab cakes, lake perch, walleye and salmon. The lake perch comes fried or pan-sauteed with lemon, tartar sauce and choice of two sides: french fries, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, sauteed garlic spinach, green beans, brussels sprouts, or greens with balsamic vinaigrette. The walleye is hash-brown encrusted with sauteed green beans, onions and bacon. The grilled 7-ounce Atlantic salmon is served over brussels sprouts with bacon, onions and lobster cream sauce. On Fridays, they offer beer-battered versions of cod, walleye, and perch. Click here.
The Village Green
It’s a pub experience in Downtown Middleton at Village Green with a Friday fish fry. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., get the fish dinner with your choice of two, three or four pieces of beer-battered fish with coleslaw, hush puppies, tartar sauce and lemon. Or for a more handheld version, a fish sandwich is available. Village Green owner Andrew recommends the Wisconsin bourbon old-fashioned to complement the meal. Click here.
La Pollera Colombiana
La Pollera Colombiana is one of the newest additions to Middleton, and they’re making a splash with more than a dozen seafood options available weeklong. When it comes to fried fish, La Pollera offers three fried red snapper dishes, all served with rice, fried green plantain and salad. The options include one served as is and two others featuring a sauce base: garlic sauce with shrimp or a creamy seafood sauce. Click here.
Coopers Hawk Restaurant & Winery
Enjoy an upscale twist on Friday fish fry with delectable options from Coopers Hawk. Choose from parmesan-crusted mahi mahi, soy ginger Atlantic salmon, pistachio-crusted grouper and blackened ahi tuna. Each meal has a recommended wine pairing to complement the meal. These options are available daily. Click here.
FISH TACOS
Though fish tacos aren’t a “fish fry,” they are a classic. Here are a few local options:
Ancho & Agave, Compadres, Craftsman Table & Tap, Nitty Gritty, and Taqueria Jalisco.