The Friday fish fry is a Western New York institution. A plate of beer battered fish that hangs over the edges, served with fries, coleslaw, mac salad, and a side of tartar sauce, often in a neighborhood tavern that has not changed its recipe in decades. Erie County has hundreds of spots serving it, from old school South Buffalo bars to sit down seafood houses and church halls. This is your neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to the ones worth seeking out.
Key Takeaways
- Erie County fish fries typically run $15 to $25, with church and legion hall dinners closer to $17.
- Curry's Pub in North Buffalo was the top reader pick in Step Out Buffalo's survey of Western New Yorkers.
- Wiechec's Lounge on Buffalo's East Side is consistently called the most iconic fish fry in town.
- Bailey Seafood on Bailey Avenue lets you choose your fish from catfish, haddock, tilapia, cod, bass, red snapper, yellow pike, or butterfish.
- The Bellevue Hotel in Cheektowaga is the personal favorite of the @BuffaloFishFryBabes account, which has documented 527 fish fries across Western New York.
- Fish fries are served year-round, but Lent is when demand peaks.
What Makes a Buffalo Fish Fry Different
A Buffalo fish fry is not just fried fish. It is a plate. The fish is traditionally haddock or cod, beer battered or breaded, and it is usually big enough to hang over the edges of the plate. It comes with french fries, coleslaw, mac salad or potato salad, a dinner roll, and tartar sauce. Some spots add pickled beets, hushpuppies, or a slice of rye bread.
The cod versus haddock debate is real. Cod has a firmer, meatier texture. Haddock is lighter and flakier. Most places offer both, and locals have strong opinions. The crust question, beer battered, breaded, or panko, also matters. Some spots are known specifically for their beer batter, while others are famous for breaded fish.
Buffalo and the East Side Have the Most Iconic Spots
Wiechec's Lounge at 1748 Clinton Street is the most iconic fish fry in the city. It is the spot tourists are sent to, and it has been serving the East Side for decades. The fish is breaded, the atmosphere is old school tavern, and the lines during Lent are legendary.
Bailey Seafood at 3316 Bailey Avenue is a diamond in the rough, a seafood market and restaurant in one of Buffalo's grittiest neighborhoods that serves one of the best fish frys in Western New York. The unique draw is that you pick your fish: catfish, haddock, tilapia, cod, bass, red snapper, yellow pike, or butterfish. Every order comes with fries, coleslaw, tartar sauce, and hushpuppies. It is also famous for a fish fry sandwich.
The Blackthorn Restaurant and Pub at 2134 Seneca Street is the quintessential cozy South Buffalo joint that has been serving the neighborhood for decades. Adolf's Old First Ward Tavern is a historic Old First Ward bar dating back to 1934. Gene McCarthy's Old First Ward Brewing Company at 73 Hamburg Street serves fish fry on Wednesdays and Fridays year round. St. Simon's Episcopal Church in South Buffalo runs a $17 fish fry dinner every Friday during Lent.
North Buffalo and Kenmore Have the Reader Favorite
Curry's Pub at 864 Kenmore Avenue was the number one reader pick in Step Out Buffalo's Western New Yorkers survey. It is a hidden gem in the Kenmore and North Buffalo area where Friday night fish fries get so busy you are advised to order early. Fish fry is served every day.
MT Pockets Bar and Grille at 1519 Hertel Avenue serves fish fry on Wednesdays and Fridays. Forty Thieves at 727 Elmwood Avenue serves fish fry on Fridays year round, a good option if you are in the Elmwood Village area.
Cheektowaga, Depew, and Lancaster Have Strong Contenders
The Bellevue Hotel at 544 Como Park Boulevard in Cheektowaga is the personal favorite of @BuffaloFishFryBabes, a golden, crispy brown haddock served in a nostalgic atmosphere. Reviewers call it one of the best Friday fish fries around. The 33 Speakeasy Grill at 3455 Genesee Street is a Prohibition themed spot that serves fish fry. Schifano's at 4923 Genesee Street is another Cheektowaga option.
The Olympic in Cheektowaga has quickly become one of the favorites in the Buffalo area. Sal's Lounge in Depew is a dive bar with the best breaded wings in Buffalo, but the fish fry is also worth noting for its breaded preparation. Olive Tree Family Restaurant at 5240 Broadway in Lancaster offers breaded fish daily and beer battered fish on Ash Wednesday.
The Northtowns Have Plenty of Options
Espo's Catering in Tonawanda was the number two reader pick in Step Out Buffalo's survey. Remington Tavern in North Tonawanda serves a Yellow Pike Fish Fry that is a step up from the standard haddock or cod routine. Broadway in North Tonawanda is a pub and fish fry spot where the fish fry is only served on Fridays and the portions are generous. Olympia in North Tonawanda has fantastic fish fry with generous portion sizes.
2 Forks Up at 270 Campbell Boulevard in Getzville is the go-to place for the freshest seafood in Western New York, with whole Maine lobsters and Alaskan king crab alongside their fish fry. They serve fish fry everyday Tuesday through Saturday. Pendleton Center UMC at 6864 Campbell Boulevard in North Tonawanda is a church hall fish fry option on Fridays.
The Southtowns Are Home to Seafood Icons
Hoak's at 4100 Lake Shore Road in Hamburg is a seafood icon for anyone who grew up in the Southtowns. It is busy year-round, not just during Lent. Sneaker's in Blasdell was the number five reader pick in Step Out Buffalo's survey. Pappaceno's Pizza at 4151 North Buffalo Road in Orchard Park serves fish fry on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent.
Newcomb Long American Legion Post 928 at 7353 Erie Road in Derby serves fish fry on Fridays from 11 AM to 8 PM. Sonny Red's at 1841 Abbott Road in Lackawanna is known for its Buffalo sauce smothered fish fry, which prompted spirited discourse on the @BuffaloFishFryBabes Instagram account.
Clarence and the East Round It Out
Hayes Seafood House at 8900 Main Street in Clarence is at the opposite end of the neighborhood spectrum from Bailey Seafood, but the quality is comparable. It is an old school fish market with an old school feel. Williamsville Bar and Grill serves a beer battered fish fry that customers rave about. 5 Leaf Clover at 248 West Main Street in Springville is a Southtowns option for those further out.
Church and Legion Hall Fish Fries Are Worth Knowing
Some of the best fish fries in Erie County are not at restaurants. They are at churches and American Legion halls. St. Simon's Episcopal Church in South Buffalo runs a $17 fish fry dinner every Friday during Lent with battered fish, French fries, pickled beets, and more. Polish Cadets of Buffalo at 927 Grant Street serves fish fry on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent. Newcomb Long American Legion Post 928 in Derby serves fish fry on Fridays from 11 AM to 8 PM.
FAQ
Q: What makes a Buffalo fish fry different from other fish fries?
A: It is the size, the sides, and the tradition. A Buffalo fish fry is typically a massive piece of beer battered or breaded haddock or cod that hangs over the plate, served with french fries, coleslaw, mac salad or potato salad, a dinner roll, and tartar sauce. The side game matters as much as the fish.
Q: When is fish fry season in Buffalo?
A: Fish fries are popular year-round, but Lent is when demand peaks and churches, legion halls, and restaurants all get in on the action. Many spots serve fish fry every day of the week, not just Fridays.
Q: What is the best fish fry in Erie County?
A: That depends on who you ask. Curry's Pub in North Buffalo was the top reader pick in Step Out Buffalo's survey. Wiechec's Lounge on Buffalo's East Side is the most iconic. The Bellevue Hotel in Cheektowaga is the favorite of the @BuffaloFishFryBabes Instagram account. Bailey Seafood on Bailey Avenue is a hidden gem with your choice of eight different fish.
Q: Cod or haddock, which is better for fish fry?
A: It is a personal preference. Cod is firmer and meatier. Haddock is lighter and flakier. Most spots offer both, and locals have strong opinions.
Q: Where can I get a fish fry on a day other than Friday?
A: Plenty of places. Curry's Pub serves fish fry every day. 2 Forks Up in Getzville serves it Tuesday through Saturday. Lake Effect Diner on Main Street serves it every day. Gene McCarthy's serves it Wednesdays and Fridays year-round. Forty Thieves serves it Fridays year-round.
Q: Are there church fish fries in Erie County?
A: Yes, and some of them are excellent. St. Simon's Episcopal Church in South Buffalo runs a $17 dinner every Friday during Lent. Polish Cadets of Buffalo serves fish fry on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent.
Q: How much does a fish fry cost in Erie County?
A: Most restaurant fish fries run $15 to $25. Church and legion hall dinners are often cheaper.
Check out this article next
