The Buzz: Best fish fries, according to readers
Annual poll shows readers like a variety of places, from taverns to classic supper clubs.
The Buzz: Best fish fries, according to readers Annual poll shows readers like a variety of places, from taverns to classic supper clubs. Check out this story on postcrescent.com: https://www.postcrescent.com/story/money/companies/buzz/2019/02/26/fish-fries-take-spotlight-lent-appleton-area-businesses/2979616002/
Maureen Wallenfang, Appleton Post-Crescent Published 9:41 a.m. CT Feb. 26, 2019 | Updated 12:38 p.m. CT Feb. 26, 2019
Larry and Kathy Burklund, of Green Bay, have a fish fry dinner with friend Julie Adams, also of Green Bay, at Van Abel's of Hollandtown. (Photo: Danny Damiani/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
The good news for fish lovers is that there are plenty of places in the greater Appleton area where you can sit down to a plate of perch, fries, rye bread and coleslaw, and maybe wash it down with an Old Fashioned.
The ingrained Wisconsin tradition of the Friday fish fry can be found, it seems, on nearly every corner.
More than 400 readers responded to The Buzz question, "who has the best fish fry?" this past week. They named 78 different supper clubs, taverns, sports bars and dives.
Plus they picked several parishes that know their way around a Lenten fish fry.
Lent starts March 6, a week from tomorrow, so restaurants will be packed with people ordering battered and fried perch, walleye pike, haddock and cod. If you don't want to wait on a Friday night, go before 5 p.m. or after 7:30 p.m. Or get carry out.
Some longtime favorite restaurants and taverns made the top of the list this year, as they do in most years: Cimarron in Menasha, Mark's East Side in Appleton, Van Abel's of Hollandtown, Dick and Joan's in Grand Chute and Lake Park Pub in Menasha.
Some readers not only sent in their choices, they said why they crave these fish fries.
"I highly recommend Van Abel's in Hollandtown," said Jerome Herro. "I especially like their fish puffs. Batter is very good and just the right amount. They also have some of the best coleslaw I've ever had."
Other readers had multiple choices.
Reader Todd Paulson said years of going out on Friday nights with friends and family has shaped his favorites list. "Dick and Joan's as No. 1, and then a toss-up for No. 2 with Lake Park Pub and Cimarron. But Willie Beamons is right up there."
Paula Steinert is willing to drive from Oshkosh for her Appleton favorites, Mark's East Side for "great service, great servers, Mark is a great host, great drinks and wonderful fish," or Red Ox where she finds "lots of wonderful seafood choices, inventive options, great staff and cocktails."
The perch plate at Van Abel's of Hollandtown. (Photo: Danny Damiani/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
But there were also a few rural taverns and far away restaurants that have their share of fans.
More than a handful of people said they were willing to drive 45 minutes to Wendt's on the Lake in Van Dyne, below Oshkosh on Lake Winnebago, even though it didn't qualify as an Appleton-area fish fry for the survey.
A few farther-out places, like the rustic Hunter's Sports Bar in Readfield, reposted my survey post from Facebook, and its regulars came through to support it. Even several campground pubs operating through the winter, like Rustic Woods in Waupaca and Huckleberry Acres in New London, had loyal diners who sent their endorsements.
Other fish fries that had many loyal fans included Otter Creek Sports Bar in Hortonville; Kamps in Combined Locks; Scuba's, Cinders and Camelot in Appleton; Kountry Bar north of Appleton and The Outpost in Sherwood.
Readers also started their own side discussions online.
"Great perch (in) so many different places. Let's discuss the tartar," wrote Nanci Stafford on the Post-Crescent's Facebook page. "...some not so good."
Readers said their favorite tartar sauces included those at Skyview Club in Kaukauna, Darboy Club in Darboy, Baypoint Bar & Grill in Neenah and JD's in Appleton.
During Lent, some parishes set up their own fish fries staffed with volunteers.
By a landslide, SS Peter & Paul in Hortonville had the most reader endorsements. The fish with a secret batter comes with homemade potato salad and desserts.
Also mentioned: St. Patrick's in Menasha and St. Thomas More in Appleton.
Read or Share this story: https://www.postcrescent.com/story/money/companies/buzz/2019/02/26/fish-fries-take-spotlight-lent-appleton-area-businesses/2979616002/
The Buzz: More detail on coming REI store