The following list is taken from a series in which Caleb Westphal—who hasn’t missed a Friday fish fry since 2013—seeks out the best fish frys in Milwaukee and beyond. These entries represent his recommended picks. UPDATED MAY 2026.
Aliota’s Pub & Grill (Milwaukee)
261 E. Hampton Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53217
414- 810-1656
Website
“The perch fish fry at Aliota’s Pub & Grill is generally satisfying and good all around. Some components stand out. The potato pancakes and dill do for their uniqueness, while the perch and its breading do because it’s difficult to find fault with them. The fish fry does just enough to be attention-grabbing, but also be in the wheelhouse of what’s expected in a fish fry.”
Alioto’s (Wauwatosa)
3041 N. Mayfair Rd.
Wauwatosa, WI 53222
414-476-6900
Website
“While not breathtaking, Alioto’s is a must for getting a fish fry, at least once. This was my third time, and I’d happily go back again. It’s a fish fry that’s lasted for decades; a staple of the Milwaukee area that holds up after all these years. It’s a place to go with your stepsons or your Nana.”
Andrea’s Red Rooster
N14W22032 Watertown Rd.
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-574-1230
Website
“I’ve had noteworthy bluegill before, with places like Henry Flach’s and Joe Mama’s coming to mind first. But in the moment I was eating, this was the best bluegill I had ever had at a Friday fish fry, and this thought and the taste reverberate with me still.”
The Brick Pub & Grill (Glendale)
6343 N. Green Bay Ave.
Glendale, WI 53209
414-797-0710
Website
“While more flavor in the breading and a little less subtle perch could have knocked this fish fry out of the park, the fish was still pleasing and this fish fry is still an important one, not least because the tartar went the whole mile and the sides didn’t slack. With enticingly memorable potato pancakes, simple but effective slaw, well-sourced rye bread, and outstanding chowder, the perch had plenty of high-caliber collaborators by its side.”
C & C’s Mosquito Inn (Caledonia)
3208 4 Mile Rd.
Caledonia, WI 53404
262-583-4378
Website
“The Mosquito Inn’s combo fish fry is well worth the $25 price tag, on account of both the amount and quality of the food that comes with it. Two pieces of cod, one piece of walleye, one piece of perch, and four shrimp, all of considerable sizes, were piled on top of all the sides—except for a homemade frosted brownie, which was on top of the fish—to the point that the sides could barely be noticed.”
Café el Sol (Milwaukee)
1028 S. 9th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53204
414-384-3100
Website
“As I finished my third plate of food, I sat back and took in some of the live music. It’s not out of the ordinary to hear accordion playing and polka music at many Milwaukee fish frys, but at Café el Sol one hears Latin music with Spanish vocals. How great it is to know that people are enjoying fried fish and music of different flavors and varieties throughout the city. Here’s looking at you, Milwaukee.”
The Cellar Pub & Grill (Oak Creek)
812 W. Oakwood Rd.
Oak Creek, WI 53154
414-762-9844
Website
“As of late I’ve realized I’m usually a bigger fan of breaded fish than beer battered, but The Cellar has some excellent beer battered fish, of which I was given three loins of. Just as the coleslaw was reminiscent of an earlier time for my friend, the fish reminded me of some homemade fish I had as a child. The batter wasn’t too thin or too thick, or too soft or too crunchy, and had a great flavor on its own, even without the tartar.”
Chances (Rochester)
205 W. Main St.
Rochester, WI 53167
262-534-2772
Website
“With big $2 Kiddie Cocktails and a $15 three-piece cod dinner, there’s a way to get a fish fry on the cheap at Chances. At almost double the price, the Friday Fish Combo might bring on some wariness, but I had no regrets about going for it. I had no regrets about taking the long drive down Highway 36 to Rochester either. Let the tables flip and pies fly elsewhere—I like what they’re setting down at Chances.”
Clifford’s Supper Club (Hales Corners)
10418 W. Forest Home Ave.
Hales Corners, WI 53130
414-425-6226
Website
“This won’t be the last time I eat Clifford’s fish. Some places have fish frys on Wednesdays and Fridays, and some places only expand to this during Lent. Clifford’s serves fish frys seven days a week. No matter where you are or when it is, you can always have a smile on your face, knowing that someone might be eating fish at Clifford’s right now. What a wonderful world.”
Coach’s Pub ‘N’ Grill (Milwaukee)
5356 S. 13th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53221
414-281-8175
Website
“There are a handful of Friday night fish fry spots close to the airport. The Packing House usually ends up on every ‘best of’ list for fish fry places in the Milwaukee, and Amelia’s and Final Approach are also nearby. Just a stone’s throw from there one can find Coach’s Pub ‘N’ Grill. It may be a little less refined than its counterparts, but make no mistake, this neighborhood bar is worthy of standing beside its neighbors, and is worth a try.”
The Copper Dock (Hubertus)
1474 E. Friess Lake Dr.
Hubertus, WI 53033
262-628-3718
Website
“The combination of the stellar food with the mood ensures the memory of the Friday fish fry at The Copper Dock will endure far beyond the hour and a half I was there, beyond how long a mood is supposed to last. The salad bar, the potato pancake, the perch and tartar, the view of the lake, the rest of the pleasant physical environment, and the relaxed yet efficient pace everything moves at makes the fish fry at The Copper Dock a keeper.”
Crawfish Junction (Milford)
W6376 County Road A
Johnson Creek, WI 53038
920-648-3550
Website
“If you find yourself on I-94 somewhere between Milwaukee and Madison on a Friday, it’s worth it to weave through a few small towns on back country roads until you come upon Milford and Crawfish Junction. The restaurant’s website claims Milford is a ‘booming metropolis.’ That may be complete balderdash, but who needs a metropolis when you have perch and bluegill combo fish frys?”
Cue Club Of Wisconsin (Waukesha)
2454 N. Grandview Blvd.
Waukesha, WI 53188
262-522-3615
Website
“I feel that the Cue Club of Wisconsin has a good enough fish fry to warrant a recommendation. Even though potato pancakes and clam chowder aren’t on their menu, and despite the fact that the coleslaw and rye bread were pretty commonplace, I still think it deserves it. In the end, one thing can ultimately make or break a fish fry: the fish. In this case, the fish—and the tartar—were exceptional. Did it help that I could eat the meal while playing a game of pool? Well, it certainly didn’t hurt.”
Dale Z.’s On Tour (Milwaukee)
3585 S. Howell Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53207
414-483-2030
Website
“I had seen on Reddit that the chef at Dale Z.’s had once been behind the fish fry at Lakefront Brewery. I asked if it was true, and the bartender confirmed that their kitchen manager and head chef used to be at the brewery. It’s not surprising, because Dale Z.’s is serving up a very good fish fry. They also can churn them out quickly, even when packed, and even on Good Friday. So if you are looking for a fast, reasonably priced fish fry in a Milwaukee tavern, this one fits the bill.”
Danny Haskell’s Pub & Grill (Muskego)
W171S7260 Lannon Dr.
Muskego, WI 53150
262-679-9535
Website
“Some folks might not know fish frys are a given in Wisconsin on Fridays, but others might not have ever seen the animated children’s film Frozen. And that’s okay. With an infant daughter, it’s only a matter of time now before I’m singing “For The First Time In Forever” myself. With Danny Haskell’s Pub & Grill serving up sweet yet savory fried haddock with a worthy potato pancake accompaniment, the gospel of Friday fish is sure to continue spreading, too.”
The Depot Tavern (Caledonia)
11402 County Road G
Caledonia, WI 53108
262-835-2272
Website
“The breading on the fish was outstanding, mainly on account of its perfectly balanced texture. Being that the fish had been fried for just the right amount of time helped make the breading stand out as well. It was quite mild in flavor, however, which sometimes can feel bland, but that was not the case here. When it came to the fish itself, the cod consisted of thick and flaky white morsels, while the flavor of the perch was pretty mellow.”
The Duck Inn Supper Club (Delavan)
N6214 WI-89
Delavan, WI 53115
608-883-6988
Website
“The mighty morsels of cod, of which there were four, were each gone in two bites, but that mattered none because I knew there were more if I wanted them. The meat was by no means superior to so many others of its kind, but ran with the best of them in texture and flavor, lacking nothing. A light, thin, and almost translucent batter covered it. If there was beer in it, it went undetected, and it was mild overall. The moderately thick tartar was an essential component to making the whole package.”
Erv’s Mug (Oak Creek)
130 W. Ryan Rd.
Oak Creek, WI 53154
414-762-5010
Website
“From the moment you open the door to Erv’s Mug, you find beer signs, tap handles, and other beer-related memorabilia on the ceiling and walls. In the entryway, there are some signs so close to the front door that they look like they are trying to crawl outside and escape. One would be hard pressed to find a spot where something else could be added to the ceiling or walls in the bar area or in the two dining rooms. But besides being known for their full walls, Erv’s Mug is also known for their fish frys.”
The Farmstead (Cedarburg)
W62N238 Washington Ave.
Cedarburg, WI 53012
262-375-2655
Website
“How many bluegill fillets make a half pound? At The Farmstead, it’s seven. They were of varying sizes, but generally mid-sized, with none being puny or humongous. Just as the menu indicated, they appeared to be tossed in lightly seasoned flour. It was a light breading, thin enough that the flesh of the fish could be seen beneath it. It was also an ideal breading, providing flavor and texture without being overbearing. Each bite brought a slightly different adventure, as the bluegill underneath varied in taste just a bit. The flavor of dill pickle was at the front of the tartar, almost to a fault, yet it was balanced in composition.”
Fireside Theatre (Fort Atkinson)
1131 Janesville Ave.
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
800-477-9505
Website
“After finishing my meal off with a dinner-included coffee, my companions and I began wandering around The Fireside like children at Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. We found a room which I will call the Forest Room, as well as a Fire Room, and a few rooms upstairs inside the original pyramid, where miniature, model hot-air balloons hung from the ceiling. Finally, we settled into the sunken-down lounge area and pulled up a seat at the bar. I saw a lady having a cocktail with a colorful fan in it, and asked the bartender to make me whatever she was having. So it was I ended my slightly psychedelic evening with a Mai Tai and a giant colorful fan. Who would have thought that journeying to Fort Atkinson would have been a trip in more ways than one?”
The Fox & Hounds Restaurant & Tavern (Hubertus)
1298 Friess Lake Rd.
Hubertus, WI 53033
262-628-1111
Website
“But again, it was the all-you-can-eat perch that had brought me to the Fox & Hounds Restaurant & Tavern, not the country drive, the multi-room building, the buy-one-entree-get-one-free deal, the crying statue, or the steaming parking lot. Although the perch did not succeed on all fronts—the batter was perhaps overly crunchy and not all the fillets were very supple—there was enough redemption to go around: the batter became strangely endearing, the fillets held inherent flavor, and the tartar was memorable.”
The Gingerbread House (Muskego)
S63W16147 College Ave.
Muskego, WI 53150
414-422-9601
Website
“A sign on the wall read ‘Happiness is Not a Destination.’ I agree; happiness is more of a state of mind. But on Fridays it’s a little easier to get to happiness when there’s a destination involved that serves fish frys—a place like The Gingerbread House. Hasty judgment could write them off as nothing more than a coffee shop, or maybe as a daytime restaurant, but on Fridays they are open until 9 p.m., and they transform to full-on fish fry restaurant. It’s a blessing that their fish fry is worthy of the transformation.”
Henry Flach’s (West Allis)
9140 W. National Ave.
West Allis, WI 53227
833-998-7673
Website
“Henry Flach’s is reminiscent of a supper club, but is more accessible and on a smaller scale. My time at Henry Flach’s was pleasant all around, from the food to the environment to the service. Was it so pleasant because I was given special treatment? No, I had told Cy I wanted as authentic an experience as possible, and as far as I could tell, no one else there knew who I was. But everyone loved the baby, so we might have gotten special treatment anyway. Not bad for a baby’s first Friday fish fry.”
Honeypie (Milwaukee)
2569 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53207
414-489-7437
Website
“But this was no lousy fish fry. No, Honeypie knows how to put one together. The meal came with three fine pieces of haddock covered with a breading of character and purpose. The breading was full of texture—looking like low grit sandpaper or three-day-old stubble, but much more appetizing—and it held the fish together so that it could easily be eaten by hand. Although the fish and breading were moderate in flavor, the tartar was bursting with it. Besides relish, some seasonings were visible in it, but I couldn’t infer what they were.”
Husher’s Pub & Grill (Caledonia)
9002 6 Mile Rd.
Caledonia, WI 53108
262-835-9795
Website
“Don’t go looking for frills at this roadside bar fish fry—just come hungry. Although there isn’t an all-you-can-eat option, with seven pieces of fish on a combo order, most people wouldn’t need it anyway. Tack on that mound of french fries and the thought of needing more food seems even more unnecessary. I wasn’t awed by this fish fry, but there was enough goodness to it to make me understand why some would place it as one of their favorites. If you make a wrong turn and end up at Husher’s Pub & Grill, you might as well step inside for an Old Fashioned and a fish fry.”
Jack Pandl’s Whitefish Bay Inn (Whitefish Bay)
1319 E. Henry Clay St.
Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
414-964-3800
Website
“The fish had a light flavorful breading, and the fish itself had a nice, flaky texture. To me, whitefish has a flavor not unlike catfish, which would not be my first choice. I’m more of a perch or cod kind of guy, but considering the circumstances of where I was, I felt I had to do it. It was paired with some great homemade tartar, which I asked about, and was told, ‘Well, there is some carrot…and pickle…and the rest is a secret.'”
Joe Mama’s Bar & Grill (Colgate)
4600 County Line Rd. Q
Colgate, WI 53017
262-628-9211
Website
“Joe Mama’s Bar & Grill offers a respectable bluegill fry, and with the all-around quality of the rest of the fish fry components, it’s likely the cod and walleye frys are also up to the Friday challenge. There was plenty of food and nothing was lacking, which left room to simply enjoy the meal. While this fish fry might not be one you’ll scream home about, it’s one that might get you to leave your home a second time to try again.”
Joey Gerard’s (Greendale)
5601 Broad St.
Greendale, WI 53129
414-858-1900
Website
“One of the most noticeable aspects of Joey Gerard’s is the superb service. We were checked in on often, and food items were explained to us in detail, down to what type of cheeses were on the cracker tray. Our server even offered to go over the menu with us—but being that it was Friday, I turned the offer down. Workers dress well, and so do the tables—with fabric tablecloths being switched out after each diner leaves. These were marks of a supper club, which dovetailed with my urge to dress nice and not have a hole in my pants.”
Juice’s Ghost Town (Grafton)
990 Ulao Rd.
Grafton, WI 53024
262-376-9003
Website
“My friends and I arrived at the restaurant around 6:30 p.m. to find it completely packed. We squeezed through a crowd of people to get to the far side of the bar to put a name in, and were told it would be about a 45-minute wait. After getting an Old Fashioned—which had the largest cinnamon and spice flavored mushrooms I’ve ever had for a garnish—the coziness of the place took over. It was almost as if we were insulated from the outside world, with the carpeted floors and wood-covered walls protecting us.”
Kegel’s Inn (West Allis)
5901 W. National Ave.
West Allis, WI 53214
414-257-9999
Website
“Almost all of the food was noticeably better than what you’d find at a typical fish fry, mainly on account of its flavor and texture. The chowder had an average amount of carrots and clams, and its consistency was comparable to many chowders, but what hit me was its flavor. It was some of the best tasting chowder I’ve had in recent memory, and it kept me longing for more. Two pieces of dark German rye were brought out right after the chowder was set down. The edges were dusted with flour, and the caraway seeds were loaded with flavor. This was some high quality bread—not just a loaf casually yanked from a store shelf.”
Lakefront Brewery (Milwaukee)
1872 N. Commerce St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
414-372-8800
Website
“Part of the fun was being able to share the experience with people that usually don’t eat fish. One of my friends, who hasn’t had a fish fry in about five years or so, yelled to me, ‘Damn, that was a damn good fish fry!’ I think he is right. Lakefront does have a damn good fish fry. When lists come out of the top fish fries in the city, Lakefront almost always makes the cut. The fry is solid. Is it markedly better than most fish fries in the area? That’s debatable. It is really good, but there are a lot of places under the radar that have fries of the same caliber. What pushes Lakefront above a lot of the pack is the atmosphere. The loud jubilant environment might not be for everyone, but I think it is fitting, and an excellent representation of what beer, fish, and polka music means to our city. In short, eating a fish fry at Lakefront is a Milwaukee rite of passage.”
Landmark Inn (Mequon)
10634 W. Freistadt Rd.
Mequon, WI 53097
262-242-9907
Website
“The place is small, but cozy. A shingled roof accents the inside perimeter of the barroom along the ceiling and above the dark wood walls, while carpeting covers the floors. Red lamps hang over the bar. The room was dimly lit, and many people were casually standing around holding drinks, waiting for their table to be called. No one seemed to be in any type of hurry. The clientele trended older, mainly being folks around retirement age, although this was not exclusively the case. The familial nature of the business seemed to extend to those who were dining. Many of the waitstaff and customers knew each other’s names; customers were in conversation with other customers they had never met.”
Little Red Inn (St. Lawrence/Hartford)
4900 WI-175
Hartford, WI 53027
262-644-8181
Website
“I had gone to the crossroads as a dejected man, but walked away from them cleansed by beer batter and fish. I even had a few pieces of fish to take with me in case the blues returned. If you find yourself on the road and feeling down, get off the main road and look for the crossroads of a small town. You won’t have to give up your soul to get yourself right—you’ll only have to hand over a little bit of cash.”
Lullabell’s Dockside (East Troy)
N. 9228, N9228 E. Shore Rd.
East Troy, WI 53120
262-642-5264
Website
“Overall, the vibes and views of the restaurant work well, and the fish fry works well too. The bottomless bread and slaw is a nice touch, all the more because the bread is warm and the slaw is worth going back to. An obvious drawback is there aren’t any freshwater fish options, and while this was not the best fried cod I’ve had, it fit right in with the better ones, and is thus worth it for anyone who loves cod to give a whirl.”
Magoo’s On The Mound (Milwaukee)
5841 W. Bluemound Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53213
414-837-6125
Website
“As I was finishing up, ESPN Milwaukee 94.5’s street team started setting up on one of the tables. Were they moving in on 106.1’s turf? Will country songs about catfish be replaced with sports talk for future fish frys? It seems unlikely, but what is certain is one doesn’t have to go all the way to Memphis to get catfish. No, they can get it right in Milwaukee. They can get it as part of an eclectic fisherman’s platter, with a fried cod and companion tartar so promising that it’s hard to eat just one piece. For all this, Magoo’s On The Mound is worth sticking in your Milwaukee fish fry quiver.”
Matty’s Bar & Grille (New Berlin)
14460 College Ave.
New Berlin, WI 53151
414-427-3838
Website
“Maybe the only real drawback to the perch fish fry at Matty’s Bar & Grille is that it comes with only four fillets. I could have gone for eight, and would have gladly paid for it. Perhaps I could have ordered extra ones off-menu, but I want tiers of perch on the menu! But let’s focus on what was there, not what wasn’t. The perch and tartar both were well put together, as was the potato pancake. Neither the coleslaw nor the rye bread were throwaways, either.”
Mibb’s & Viv’s (Lannon)
7300 N. Lannon Rd.
Lannon, WI 53046
262-251-4122
Website
“And then there was the fish and other seafood. There was so much going on it was hard to keep it all straight. The three of us started by inspecting the pieces on our plate, saying things like ‘These are the scallops and these are the shrimp,’ and ‘Oh, and this is the haddock and here is the cod.’ There were three scallops, three pieces of regular shrimp, one shrimp stuffed with cheese and crab, a butterfly of breaded perch, a piece of breaded haddock, and a piece of beer battered cod.”
Milwaukee Elks Lodge #46 (Milwaukee)
5555 Good Hope Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53223
414-353-2900
Website
“Overall, the fish fry at the Milwaukee Elks Lodge was enjoyable, which can mainly be attributed to the fish. High quality all-you-can-eat fish for under $10 should always be noted. With a few small tweaks to the bread and coleslaw, the addition of homemade pancakes, and a slight improvement in service (it seemed to take forever to get a beer, to get more fish, and to get the bill), this fish fry could end up in the recommended column.”
The Mineshaft (Hartford)
22 N. Main St.
Hartford, WI 53027
262-673-5416
Website
“If cost is a top consideration, The Mineshaft is an ideal place for taking the family for fish on a Friday night. I’ve had fish frys that cost more than three times this one, and they weren’t even all you can eat! On the contrary, this isn’t taking the game room into account. It is guaranteed that more will be spent on the kids in the game room than on fish frys, by a long shot, and I suppose that’s how the Mineshaft evens it all out and can offer such a great deal on fish.”
Mother Of Perpetual Help Parish (West Allis)
1212 S. 117th St.
West Allis, WI 53214
414-453-5192
Website
“A reader tipped me off to this fish fry a few months back, writing ‘I really think this fish fry offering is better than many of the restaurant fish fries I’ve had.’ I’d agree, the fish fry is certainly worth trying, and on par or better than what’s found at a lot of restaurants, in part on account of the breaded cod, but also because of the grab bag of sides.”
Mr. Perkins Family Restaurant (Milwaukee)
2001 W. Atkinson Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53209
414-447-6660
Website
“I had been given some tartar sauce packets, but was having trouble opening them on account of my greasy hands, and eventually gave up. I moved on to some hot sauce packets that also had come with the meal. Have I ever had hot sauce on fried fish before? No. Was this fish good enough that it didn’t need any sauce? Yes. Did adding hot sauce still manage to make it even better? You betcha!”
Nite Cap Inn (Palmyra)
227 S. 3rd St.
Palmyra, WI 53156
262-495-2659
Website
“All of the food together had an understated magnificence to it—a certain balance. Each part seemed to complement the other, and the setting seemed to perfectly match the food as well. In total I had seven pieces of fish and five potato pancakes. I was offered a dessert on the house, and although I was appreciative of the offer, I didn’t want any special treatment, and I turned it down. In hindsight I should have seen if I could have just gotten some more fish and pancakes to take home as my dessert. I could sure go for some right about now.”
North Lake Bear Trap (North Lake)
W314 N 7770, #83
North Lake, WI 53064
262-727-7120
Website
“What stood out most from the meal was what I had ultimately come for: the bluegill. The four fillets were hefty, being both thick and having a large perimeter, and were fresh and flavorful. They were covered with the house Pabst Blue Ribbon-based batter, created by co-owner and Lisa’s husband, Mike. With a salty-sweet taste, it coated the fillets lightly, lifting them but leaving room for the star beneath. Dotted with bright sweet relish, the tartar was thick, and coordinated well with the fish and batter.”
Oak Creek American Legion Post 434 (Oak Creek)
9327 S. Shepard Ave.
Oak Creek, WI 53154
414-762-9660
Website
“A seductive lip-licking saltiness pervaded the cod’s coating. Not greasy, and neither thick nor thin, it appeared to be a batter with the character of a breading. No matter what it was, it was very on point. The fish beneath it wasn’t far beneath it in class either, being thick, meaty, and uniform. The tartar was tangy and sweet and met the cod perfectly.”
The Packing House (Milwaukee)
900 E. Layton Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53207
414-483-5054
Website
“When I finished eating I blurted to myself, ‘All that for ten minutes of pleasure!’ Was the drive and wait worth it for something that so quickly was gone? Absolutely. The Packing House has memorable fish and potato pancakes, and the drive-thru itself is part of the whole experience. On top of all that, they’ve been doing positive things with their fish frys during the pandemic, whether it be giving them out to healthcare workers or helping to get them into the hands of shut-in senior citizens. This is how we do it, Milwaukee. The Packing House Forever.”
Pat’s Oak Manor (South Milwaukee)
1804 15th Ave.
South Milwaukee, WI 53172
414-762-4660
Website
“Pat’s Oak Manor is an excellent all-around fish fry experience that I highly recommend. The cod is great, you can eat as much of it as you want, and it is reasonably priced. An old hall that once housed a bowling alley, a guy playing a keyboard—these things are pure Wisconsin, and there is a certain warmth and familiarity that you feel when you are dining there. The only downside is that it takes a little while to get moving again after eating so much good food.”
Pitch’s Lounge and Restaurant (Milwaukee)
1801 N. Humboldt Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-272-9313
Website
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Pitch’s. Besides the great atmosphere and food, I had great service. My waitress offered to wrap up the leftover bread, including the raisin bread, so I could take it home. My Saturday started off right with the raisin bread complimenting my coffee. There’s a good chance I’ll be back to Pitch’s again down the road, maybe to try their ribs.”
Range Line Inn (Mequon)
2635 W. Mequon Rd.
Mequon, WI 53092
262-242-0530
Website
“If you are looking for a quiet evening in a cozy atmosphere, The Range Line Inn will meet your needs. The food was good enough to warrant a drive north of town, and although the building has been used in many capacities over the years, I think there is a good chance that it will have the role of restaurant for some time to come.”
Relish Supper Club (Germantown)
N116W15841 Main St.
Germantown, WI 53022
262-415-7043
Website
“While everything that preceded the fish was satisfactory, the six fillets of perch garnered most of my attention. Some of the pieces were near excellent. While a few weren’t quite of the same caliber, overall they were very pleasing. Oodles of buttery sweetness, not unlike that found on the freshly baked bread, permeated the breading on the fish. The breading was thick and breadcrumb-like, but still let a pleasant perch flavor come through. Both the texture and flavor of the breading were near-perfect, and the perch flavor blended well into it.”
Ricky’s Double Barrel Inn (Franklin)
11318 W. St. Martins Rd.
Franklin, WI 53132
414-425-9971
Website
“If you were an adherent of Wegner’s St. Martins Inn and have been mourning its loss, holding off checking out its replacement, shake off your supper club blues and get yourself through the doors at Ricky’s Double Barrel Inn. It may look different, and the menu may be different, but there’s still a fish fry, and it’s a good one, with both the pancakes and fish being cooked with the same care.”
Romey’s Place Bar & Grill (Franklin)
7508 S. North Cape Rd.
Franklin, WI 53132
414-425-9913
Website
“The potato pancakes were excellent. Thick, hearty, meaty, comforting, mild, and like a meal on their own are a few of the words I’d use to describe them. Halved, buttered, and sandwiched together, the bread was a contrast of caraway seeds that packed a punch and light rye. When I ordered my meal, I was asked if I wanted creamy or vinegar coleslaw. The question is so rare that I didn’t know what to do, and froze. Eventually I snapped out of it, and went with the vinegar slaw, doing so because it is not found as often as creamy slaw. It seemed rather standard to me, but was still good, although I tried some of the creamy slaw one of my friends had, and did like it more.”
Sandpiper Inn (Campbellsport)
W2992 Elmore Dr.
Campbellsport, WI 53010
920-533-6095
Website
“The second helping of fish hit the same way as the first. The fish was decent, the batter inviting, and the tartar tied it all together. But there was an ‘it’ or ‘x’ factor at play here too, something beyond the sum of the parts that made the fish fry at the Sandpiper Inn memorable and more than middling. But nine pieces of pollock and one piece of chicken was plenty, so I paid my tab and pointed my vehicle north into the night.”
The Sawmill Inn Restaurant & Pub (Richfield)
1729 Wolf Rd.
Richfield, WI 53076
262-628-4128
Website
“Whether you need to make a trip to Cabela’s or not, the drive to Richfield is worth it just for a stop at The Sawmill Inn. Home cooking is the norm, not the exception here, and while not every component of my meal was beyond reproach, most of it was, and the distinct characteristics of each part made the experience memorable. Taken as a whole, this fish fry is a winner. Including the Sawmill Inn on my best fish frys of 2023 list was the right choice, and I’m sure it will be there again in 2024.”
Scotty’s Bar & Pizza (Milwaukee)
3921 S. Clement Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53207
414-481-6060
Website
“Overall, Scotty’s Bar & Pizza has a pretty all right fish fry for a pizza joint. I’ve been to plenty of places that have fish frys as their main Friday focus that don’t do it as well as this place that spends most of their time on pizza. Both the fish and pancakes should at least be satisfactory, if not memorable, for anyone who makes a stop. As for The Fish Monger, I plan on trying one at some point. But the next time I attempt to get one I’m putting my order in early and heading out right away.”
Slick Willies Bar And Grill (South Milwaukee)
2301 12th Ave.
South Milwaukee, WI 53172
414-762-1974
Website
“Despite the rather chaotic atmosphere, which could be attributed to the large amount of people ordering food in the somewhat-small bar, I’m glad I started off the year at Slick Willies. It is another classic example of a thriving neighborhood bar, and the food wasn’t that bad either. Especially those pancakes.”
South Bound Again (Oak Creek)
9504 S. Chicago Rd.
Oak Creek, WI 53154
414-762-6255
Website
“The combo came with two pieces of cod and two pieces of perch, which succeeded both because of the breading and because of the quality of the fish itself. The breading was thin and light, allowing the fish to move how it wanted, but still held together well. With a microscopically rough texture and a modicum of savory-meets-sweet taste, the breading lacked nothing. The cod pieces were sizable and chunky, and juicy but not watery or rubbery, while the perch fillets were fresh and flavorful, and benefited greatly from the style of breading above them.”
Squidy’s 2 (Palmyra)
102 N. 2nd St.
Palmyra, WI 53156
262-495-2588
Website
“I’m not going to make the call as to if Squidy’s 2 or Nite Cap Inn has the best fish fry in Palmyra. My suggestion would be to get both and decide for yourself. Or don’t decide and just enjoy them both for their own merits. What I will say is if your dental hygienist suggests a fish fry, check it out.”
St. Paul Fish Company (Milwaukee Public Market)
400 N. Water St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-220-8383
Website
“It was just about the perfect late-summer weather for eating outside, and we found a spot along the building on St. Paul Avenue. I opened the bag and was pleased to find both a fork and a soup spoon, some napkins, and some ketchup packets. The heavy bag did not disappoint. When I opened the box of food I found four butterfly fillets of perch. There was a hefty mound of fries, but for once they were buried under the fish, as they should be, instead of on top of it. I was also pleasantly surprised to find two containers of tartar. Hooray!”
Stagecoach Inn (Fort Atkinson)
6396 County Line Rd.
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
608-868-3850
Website
“The most salient component and star of the meal was the lightly crisp, melt-in-your mouth beer batter. Distinct, and the epitome of what homemade batter should look, feel, and taste like, it was sweet and flavorful, almost buttery, and well beyond the quality of batter found almost anywhere. Under it were petite but satisfactory perch. They were on the mild side, and although they were overshadowed by the batter on account of its sheer exuberance, they were not swallowed up by it.”
The Station Pub & Grill (Pewaukee)
W226 N3013, Duplainville Rd.
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-695-5300
Website
“Despite it only being about a half an hour drive from home, I’d never been to the Station Pub & Grill, nor heard anything about their fish fry besides knowing that they had one. An hour and a half is a long time to wait for a fish fry, but in this case it was worth it. This was almost entirely on account of the fish, its batter, and the tartar, which I assume was the culprit of the long wait in the first place.”
Steak House 100 (West Allis)
7246 W. Greenfield Ave.
West Allis, WI 53214
414-727-2222
Website
“Some people wait for the second coming of Christ, while others dream of the second coming of Randy’s Neighbor’s Inn fish. This might not have been it, but it was so uncannily close I could taste it, and I could believe it, if I really wanted to. And yet, Steak House 100 stands on its own. Despite its decades-long existence, frozen-in-time ambiance, and evocative fish fry, Steak House 100 lives in the present and so does its fish fry.”
Steny’s Tavern & Grill (Milwaukee)
800 S. 2nd St.
Milwaukee, WI 53204
414-672-7139
Website
“I’ve had Steny’s fish fry before, last on August 28, 2015, but I don’t recall it being as good as what I had this time around. I was pleasantly surprised by the three pieces of beer-battered cod. Both the texture and the flavor of the batter were on point. It was light but crisp, with the perfect thickness. It covered the fish well, but could also be easily cut through. There was a distinct beer flavor, but it wasn’t overpowering. Underneath the batter was a thick, meaty fish. The tartar was imbued with a tangy zip of flavor and had crunchy and relatively large pickle chunks mixed in it.”
Studz Pub (West Allis)
6833 W. National Ave.
West Allis, WI 53214
414-607-8839
Website
“Studz Pub is a place where you are welcomed right away without an initiation phase, and soon everybody knows your name. There’s plenty of character, endearing warmth, and authentic charm, and just a little coarseness, too. It’s a real place and there’s nothing contrived about it. So it didn’t matter much to me if the tartar sauce wasn’t my favorite. Still, it was crucial that the breaded cod was consistent and flavorsome, and that the sides all helped to solidify the meal.”
Swiss Street Pub & Grille (Franklin)
11430 W. Swiss St.
Franklin, WI 53132
414-377-9047
Website
“There were four pieces of perch, and they were meaty and juicy, with plenty of built-in flavor. They were covered with a thin breading, that was lightly salted and seasoned, but that didn’t draw attention to itself and instead pointed the light back on the perch. The tartar was busy, being heavy on relish and spices, and was almost too much for the fish, but ultimately did all right alongside it.”
Tailgaters Bar & Grill (Caledonia)
7641 WI-38
Caledonia, WI 53108
262-732-4259
Website
“Whoa boy, this was some high-quality walleye. There was just one piece, but it was fat, flaky, and supple, not chewy. Its breading had slathers of seasoning which gave way to a robust, savory flavor. It was crispy, but not overly crunchy, and like the pancakes, it had a graceful balance to it. I was a bit underwhelmed by the tartar. It was thin (maybe from lemon juice?), with bitty relish chunks and other green seasoning. It was okay when paired with the fish, but the fish was great on its own, and almost better without it.”
Tess (Milwaukee)
2499 N. Bartlett Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53211
414-964-8377
Website
“Tess is one of those places that I’ve wondered about over the years but never set foot inside of. Although I’ll have to wait a bit longer to do so, I’ve at least now gotten to try the food. If their perch is any indication of what their interior is like or what the quality of their other food is like, they’ll be a place worth circling back to in the future. If you are hankering for some perch, I’d suggest giving them a try. Just like driving over the Hoan Bridge on a sunny day, it can make everything seem all right.”
Thirsty’s (South Milwaukee)
500 Madison Ave.
South Milwaukee, WI 53172
414-301-4295
Website
“While I could nitpick about what could be improved upon, I don’t want to waste my breath—the mouth is much better put to use by simply eating more fish. If you are looking for a tavern-style fish fry where you can stroll up to the bar and easily get an order of well-sourced cod with a golden beer batter and sides with enough character to prop up the meal—and want a hell of an Old Fashioned to boot—look no further than Thirsty’s.”
Union Park Tavern (Kenosha)
4520 8th Ave.
Kenosha, WI 53140
262-652-6454
Website
“I don’t know if Union Park Tavern has the best fish fry in Kenosha County, but it’s a solid one, and it’s not surprising it would be in the running. While its combo dinners can get rather pricey, the perch and cod combo hit the spot, particularly on account of each fish and its respective breading or batter.”
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