Friday Fish Fry: A Wisconsin Favorite

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 or baked beer-battered cod, served with criss-cut fries, creamy coleslaw, sweet curry pickles, rye bread and tartar sauce. On Fridays only is the Friday fish fry including the same choice of fried or baked cod and also walleye, served 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 restaurant downtown serves walleye, cod or Cajun catfish fried or grilled, or the cod sandwich – all served with tartar sauce, lemon, coleslaw and choice of side: french fries, cottage cheese or tossed greens. Or upgrade to sweet potato fries, garlic parmesan fries or pub chips. Clam chowder is also on the menu by cup or bowl. 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 a 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 special now through March 29 (2024) are Longtable’s “fish seven ways!” Click here.

Served with frites, coleslaw, lemon, tartar sauce and aioli:

(No. 1) Two pieces Alaskan cod hand-battered in Belgian-style witbier, (No. 2) Two pieces baked Alaskan cod seasoned with smoked paprika, lemon and butter; (No. 3) Gluten-free pan-fried cod in cornmeal and rice flour; and served on Friday’s only is (No. 4) Cornmeal Crusted Perch.

Served as described: (No. 5) Fried Cod Po’ Boy Sandwich: crispy breaded cod, chopped mixed greens, tomato, remoulade on a Clasen’s European Bakery’s sub roll, served with your choice of side; (No. 6) Smoked Trout Sandwich: Rushing Waters smoked trout spread and pieces, pickled onion, cucumber, creme fraiche, fresh dill, open face on Madison Sourdough with your choice of side; and (No. 7) Fish Tacos: three beer-battered cod, citrus cabbage slaw, tomatillo sauce, with choice of corn or flour tortillas.

Mid Town Pub

Choose between the lemon pepper grilled cod and cod fried in New Glarus Spotted Cow beer batter at Mid Town Pub. Walleye is also on the menu in one or two pieces or as a sandwich. All are served with coleslaw, garlic toast, tartar sauce and choice of side. There is also a Kid’s Fish Fry option with one piece of beer battered cod with french fries. Click here.

Middleton Sport Bowl

Middleton Sport Bowl has a Friday fish fry lunch and dinner special. Check its Facebook page 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. 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; and ask about their all-you-can-eat option and salad bar! 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 Atlantic salmon is served over brussels sprouts with bacon, onions and lobster cream sauce. Click here.

Tanner’s Bar & Grill

This bar and grill is spacious and the perfect place to catch a game. Its menu has a daily “shore line” special including a Wisconsin Fish fry, which includes three beer-battered fried or broiled Atlantic cod filets with tartar sauce, coleslaw and a choice of side: fries, tots, cottage cheese, or deep-fried kettle chips. Also choose from the Mahi Mahi sandwich or Fish Fry Sandwich – two crispy battered filets on a hoagie roll. Click here.

The Village Green

It’s a pub experience in downtown Middleton at Village Green with a Friday Fish fry. From 4-5 p.m.: get three pieces of hand-breaded fried cod, coleslaw, french fries, hush puppies, tartar sauce and lemon. Or from 5-10 p.m., order the same but with four pieces of cod and choice of potato (roasted garlic reds, baked, fries or potato salad). Add a pickle to your order – it’s a thing! Call 608-831-9962 for more.

FISH TACOS

Though fish tacos aren’t a “fish fry,” they are a classic. Here are a few local options:

Ancho & Agave, Compadres, Camino Real, Craftsman Table & Tap, Longtable Beer Cafe, Monk’s Bar & Grill, Nitty Gritty, Paul’s Neighborhood Bar, Tanner’s Bar & Grill, and Taqueria Jalisco.