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Wisconsin Friday Night Fish Fry
Wisconsin Fish Fry Introduction
Battered in Mystery - The Origins of the Friday Fish Fry
(This list of six fish frys are some local Southern Wisconsin favorites)
Newville - The Lake House Inn
Milton North - The Owl's Club
Richmond - Tubby's Too
Janesville - Russ's Park Place
Hanover - Ding-A-Ling
Janesville East - Prairie Woods Golf Course
(Click on the Daily Dadio Blog Fish Fry List to see reviews on all fish frys; or, click on the links listed below)
The most recent fish fry visit is always listed first, in lieu of alphabetic order:
Rockford, Illinois - Thunder Bay Grille
Delavan - New Horizons Sports Cafe
Milwaukee - Steny's Tavern and Grill
Jefferson - Wayside Inn
Appleton - American Legion Post 38
Milton - Caddy Shack Golf Center, and Gopher's Bar and Grill
Beaver Dam - Walker's Restaurant Bakery and Coffee Shop
Richmond (Wisconsin) - The Duck Inn
Janesville - Hanna's Best Deli & Bakery
Sauk City - Green Acres Restaurant
Fort Atkinson - The Fireside Dinner Theatre
Janesville - The Looking Glass
Janesville - Jim's Pizzeria
Fort Atkinson - Maasz's North Shore Inn
Janesville - Bobble Head's Sports Bar & Grill
Franklin - Wegner's St. Martins Inn
McFarland - Park Side Pub
Madison - Wilson's Bar and Grill
Elkhorn - Abell's County Lunch and Tavern
Janesville - The Cursing Stone (Glen Erin Golf Club)
New Glarus - Glarner Stube (Redux)
Newville - Emigail's Roadhouse
Newville - Kealy's Kafe
Beloit - Alibi Bar and Grill
Beloit - The Butterfly Club
Edgerton - Hanson's DNA Bar and Grill
Milton - Milton Masonic Hall (annual)
Aztalan (Lake Mills) - Aztalan Inn Bar & Grill
Fort Atkinson - Norm's Hideway Bar and Grill
Edgerton - Saint John's Lutheran Church (annual)
Rome, Wisconsin - Ley's Bark River Lanes
Beloit - Bushel & Peck's
Fort Atkinson - Sammy's Place Restaurant
Fort Atkinson - Belmont Casino
Lake Geneva (Lake Como) - Clubhouse Inn Restaurant
Madison - Gene Bennett's Meadowood Country Club
Cross Plains - Hilltop Inn
Milton - Junction Pub
Janesville - Pit Stop BBQ and Deli
Whitewater - Saxe's Lonestar
Delavan - Pirate's Cove
Hebron (Illinois) - Crandall's
Richmond, Wisconsin - New Richmond House Restaurant and Lounge
Janesville - Time Out Pub and Eatery
Elkhorn - Moose Creek Bar and Grille
Milton - Varsity Lanes
Janesville - Saint Patrick's Congregational School
Milton - Sweney's Supper Club
Madison - VFW Post 8483
Janesville - Sizzlin' Grill
Milton (Charley Bluff) - The Buckhorn Supper Club
Janesville - Steve and Holly's (the former Cherry's)
Milton - Newville - Milton - Deb's Squeeze Inn (now relocated back to Milton)
Janesville - The Watering Hole
McFarland - The Green Lantern Restaurant and Bar
Fort Atkinson - Black Hawk Tavern and Grill
Turtle Lake (Delavan) - Snug Harbor
Belleville - Borland's Tavern
Madison - Toby's Supper Club
Orfordville - Knute's Bar and Grill
Stoughton - Barber's Bay Inn
Fort Atkinson - The Stagecoach Inn
Beloit - Marine Corps League
Beloit - Hansen's Bar and Grill
Lake Geneva (Lake Como) - Mars Resort
Janesville - Dool's Pub and Grub
Clinton - Boxcar's Pub and Gru(g)
Milton (Charley Bluff) - DJ's Shortstop
New Glarus - Glarner Stube
Janesville - VFW Post 1621
Delavan - Fred's Wagon Wheel
Janesville - Charlie's Place
Janesville - Milwaukee Grill Inc.
Janesville - Overtime Tap
Janesville - My Apartment Restaurant and Lounge
Janesville - Kealy's Kafe
Whitewater - Randy's Restaurant and Fun Hunter's Brewery
Darien - Countryside Restaurant
Madison - Brothers Three Bar and Grill
Ashton - Saint Peter's Parish
Palmyra - The Nite Cap Inn
Madison - The Avenue Bar
Janesville West - Helgesen's Harpos on Eleven
Janesville - White Oak
Shopiere - Shopiere Bar and Grill
Beliot - Benedetti's Supper Club
Indianford - The Edgewater Inn
Janesville East - Prairie Woods Golf Course
Hanover - Ding-A-Ling
Newville - The Lake House Inn
Milton (North) - The Owl's Club
Janesville - Russ's Park Place
Richmond (Wisconsin) - Tubby's Too
Dearly departed Wisconsin Fish Frys
Janesville - Cherry's Steak and Prime (Now Steve and Holly's)
Richmond - The Richmond House (Now reopened under new ownership; see new review above)
Wisconsin Fish Fry Introduction
I originally explored the idea of reviewing Wisconsin Friday night fish frys back in technical college. Madison Area Technical College offered a one-credit independent study option in journalism. I was to present an idea to the Journalism faculty for approval. When living somewhere other than Wisconsin, I always miss the Friday fish frys. In regards to the independent study, I was already writing for the college paper and had this idea I could not get out of my head - review fish frys.
I thought the faculty would toss my idea in the trash because it was not a 'lofty enough vision of journalistic contribution.' But, journalism instructor Mike Irwin thought different. It turns out he specialized in rural journalism. That involves immersing one's self in the culture of rural and agricultural America and writing about it, to name only a couple dynamics of the specialty. To my surprise he gave me the green light and I did the project and got an 'A.' The credit transferred to the university and will forever sit on my Bachelor of Arts transcript.
Interestingly, at the time I also wrote scathing political opinion pieces for the college paper. It was the era of Bill Clinton and Monica. No one ever e-mailed or called me on the carpet for my opinions. However, once I missed getting a fish fry review in an issue of the paper and to my stunned amazement, people I never met before, instructors, academic staff, and janitors stopped me in the hallway and said they missed seeing the fish fry review. It was then that I started to take colloquial culture much more serious.
Anyway, here's to you Mike Irwin. I am resurrecting an old love and local interest once again.
- Bob Keith, June 28, 2006 -
Battered in Mystery - The Origins of the Friday Fish Fry
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Natives of the Western Great Lakes area know the ritual of the Friday fish fry. Almost anyone who has lived here more than a year has been to one. But what's behind this tradition that ranks up there with the Bears-Packers rivalry in the hearts and minds of thousands? I am a fish fry fanatic myself, but couldn't tell you the history of it if my life depended on it. Debbie Anderegg, co-owner of the Glarner Stube restaurant in New Glarus, Wisconsin says, "The fish fry has been around a long time and regardless of its origin, if you are a restaurateur in Wisconsin and do not offer one up, your customers are mighty disappointed." True enough, I think because my wife Heide and I often have never even eaten a hamburger in some places if we find out they don't have a Friday fish fry.
I set out to solve the mystery of the Friday phenomenon; but, something becomes immediately evident in my humble search. For every source I inquire, I received another version of the origins of our beloved tradition. My mother-in-law, Chris Miller, assures me her Catholic ancestors have a hand it with their observation of not eating meat on Fridays. Mary Robertson who I met while working in the rural emergency medical service (EMS) says it is surely her Kashube (Baltic Poles) ancestors from Jones Island in Milwaukee, whose fishermen and hospitality spurned the tradition.
Jeff Hagen in his book, Fry Me to the Moon, says four factors are key to this tradition: German Catholics; the Great Lakes; the introduction of the refrigeration truck (for efficient transportation of fish to rural taverns and inner city restaurants); and finally, the regional uniqueness of the family oriented tavern (when going out to eat, people often bring their kids in the bar also - not a big deal in Wisconsin).
I have a feeling that all the frsh fry connoisseurs are on to something, but I'm tired of history for now. So come join me for a series of reviews of some of the outstanding fish frys in Southern Wisconsin.
- this piece was written by Bob Keith and originally published in the Clarion, the Madison Area Technical College's newspaper, January 27, 2000 -
The Lake House Inn
Photo by Bob Keith
The Lake House Inn. Hidden a ways back off the Newville exit on the I-90 side of Lake Koshkonong sits The Lake House Inn. I actually grew up east of here a few miles - but I have to admit I never realized it existed until I got my driver license and started cruising around. Those of you who have grown up in one of Wisconsin's thousand of lake communities have got to appreciate this place. The front of the menu will give you a run down of the many things the Inn has been used for since the Civil War. The other night we used it for Friday night fish fry.
It is so popular on Friday night that I would'nt attempt it without reservations, especially after 6 p.m., unless you are just into hanging around for an hour and drinking in the bar. That is one of the first impressions I remember around 35 years ago when I first walked in the door - the huge old wooden bar. The dining room isn't one of the biggest I've ever been in but that does make it intimate especially with the great stone fire place on one end usually sporting a flame in the winter months.
They have lots of food offerings but this writing will just target the fish fry. The all-you-can-eat fried fish is $8.50. The fried fish is excellent and when you put your fork in, it just flakes apart. Yet, it still has a crispy quality. This is a big deal to us fish aficionados. Another little bonus is if you want more, boom - it is right there. Some places you seem to wait for ever for your extra all-you-can-eat piece of fish.
Coleslaw is also intricate to our fish fry experience and they always have a good crisp bowl. I like it because it has just the right moistness and is very smooth and cool to the taste, but still good and crunchy. It is also not too tart or green like some places present. It really amounts to what your taste preference is, but I've always liked the Lake House Inn's coleslaw. You also get a nice basket of bread accompanied by a half a stick of fresh cool butter. You get a choice of baked potato, fries, hash browns, or au gratins. I always error on the side of the au gratins. If you are a soup enthusiast, you should not be disappointed as you can get a great cup of French onion for a buck extra.
One little item, but also critical addition to a good fish fry is the tarter sauce. The Lake House Inn's tarter sauce is smooth and creamy and not too tart and is not full of chunks of vegetables as some places like to make it. A good presentation of tarter sauce and coleslaw can make or break a fish fry - it's the small details I think in a meal like this that add up to a bigger nice experience. They even make sure the lemon slice is fresh. Getting a soggy lemon slice is always annoying.
Take I-90 south about 25 minutes from the east side of Madison or 10 minutes north of Janesville and take the 163 exit (Newville). Go into Newville past the McDonald's (by the I-90 intersection) on Hwy 59 and take a left on Mallwood Drive. Shortly, take another left on to Hillside Road. After a quarter mile, take a right on Maple Beach Road. Go for a mile and look for the Inn to the left. They serve fish from about 4-10:00 p.m. on Fridays. Phone: (608) 884-4544. There is also an eight hundred listing: 1-800-545-7479.
- a potion of this piece was written by Bob Keith and originally published in the Clarion, the Madison Area Technical College's newspaper, February 25, 2000; it was updated on July 22, 2006: it was updated again on June 22, 2007 -
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The Owl's Club
Cool Dadio originally wrote about The Owl's Club on September 1, 2006. Last Friday Heide and I hopped in the Dadio Mobile and headed back out to my old stomping grounds between Whitewater, Fort', and Milton.
The Owl’s Club is located a few miles north of Milton, Wisconsin on the corner of Highway 26 and County N. Some sort of tavern called the Owl’s Club has been there as long as I can remember. That’s at least 50 years. The current owners are Greg Godfrey and Tami Fitzmaurice.
One of the reasons they make the Cool Dadio Friday fish fry list is they tend to a couple small details other places have let slip by the wayside. They have a neat little salad bar that comes with the fish fry. The potato salad, cold slaw, and seven-layer-salad have a home-made presentation about them. Anybody that bothers to make a seven-layer salad can’t be all that bad. It’s hard to describe home made, but you know it when you see and taste it. Rolls and butter also abundant on the salad bar.
They offer fried Walleye, beer-battered Cod, fried Perch, and fried Catfish. Any of the aforementioned fish dinners are eight Dollars. This is interesting because many places try to get a couple extra bucks for Walleye and Catfish. The Walleye I can understand but Catfish for extra cash is a stretch. The tartar sauce is smooth and not too tart. A lemon slice comes with the deal. That may not impress uppity supper club goers but it is a small detail that is often over looked by many places.
All the fish is fried to the right crispiness. It is one thing to offer all those fish options, it is another to cook them correctly. And for a tavern, the Owl’s Club does better that a lot of places in a more expensive category.
You can get potato pancakes or cheesy hash browns with your fish. Both have a home made timbre about them. Potato connoisseurs should not be disappointed.
One more little note is that no matter when I’ve been there and no matter how busy they are, the folks at the Owl’s Club are always pleasant. You don’t have to worry about being served by a sourpuss.
Often, while the fish fry is wrapping up, a band is warming up. So if you’re in the area and you don’t need your wallet beat to death, give the ol’ Owl’s Club a try. You shouldn’t be disappointed.
The Owl's Club is cool with Cool Dadio.
They serve the fish on Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and then again from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Phone: (608) 868-3413.
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- by Bob Keith, September 1, 2006 - updated June 8, 2007 -
Tubby's Too
Last Friday Cool Dadio and Heide headed out on the teal and cream Harley to Tubby's Too Bar & Grill. Tubby's is the consummate Wisconsin Tavern. It is out in the lake country of Southern Wisconsin in Walworth County. It is a small place but the peoples' presence gives it a big heart. Try to get there earlier because it is usually busy and you may have to wait a bit. They start dishing up the fish on Fridays about 5:00 p.m. and serve 'till about 9:00 p.m. They offer deep fried Walleye or Cod. The two-piece is $6.50 and the three-piece is $7.50. This price I think is very fair considering the cost of transportation of sea food these days. Also, some places charge extra for Walleye just because they can. At Tubby's you get a fair shake for your buck. You will get a choice of potato pancakes or fries. You get a cup of cole slaw and some tender dark bread with butter. The tarter sauce is my style - just tart enough to know it is there, yet creamy. The potato pancakes do not look like the traditional homemade cake, but they taste like homemade. Every time Heide and I go out there to Tubby's Too we clean every crumb off our plates. That's probably the final seal of approval in the world of tavern fish fry. On Friday they also offer a 16 ounce T-Bone for $14.95 and Butterfly Shrimp for $8.95.
Tubby's is owned by Tubby Brewer. He used to bartend there and has been the owner for about seven years or so. The origin of the need-a-second-look name according to Mark the Bartender and a couple patrons is that it was chosen because there is a bar "up nort" with a similar name. So Tubby had to improvise a bit. Tubby's dad was also called Tubby so the current owner is a Tubby too.
Their other special night is on Tuesdays. They offer Steak and Shrimp; Steak and Lobster; Steak, Lobster & Shrimp; 16 oz. T-Bone; Butterfly Shrimp; and Prime Rib. The prices vary from $10.95 to $15.95.
Tubby's Too is cool with Cool Dadio.
To get there from Janesville, take County Highway A out past Highway 89 in Richmond. Cross over 89 and stay on A and Tubby's is a mile or so down on the right. W8497 County Road A, Delavan, WI 53115. Folks may also refer to it as in Richmond, WI. Phone (608) 883-2909.
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- by Bob Keith, May 25, 2007 -
Russ's Park Place
Last Friday Cool Dadio took the fish fry show just up from my place to the near east side of Janesville. Russ's Park Place is a favorite spot of mine for several reasons but today I am talking about the fish. But wait a second, before I do that I should mention that I and owners Jeff and Tina Russel have one little connection. We were both featured in the November 29, 2006 Janesville Messenger. Jeff and Tina's new bar was introduced and I was mentioned for my journalistic journey to Iraq. We are forever bound at the hip in semi-weekly newspaper archives.
You will receive as a center piece of your fish dinner, big pieces of crispy fried cod. There is the two-piece for $7.50 or the three-piece for $8.50. With your raised tray of food comes the consummate cup of tavern cole slaw and a roll and butter. The choice of fries are crinkle or the regular type. They also offer Shrimp dinner for $7.50. These Friday specials are served from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
I should mention that the fish presentation is a cut above because Jeff and Tina used to own Kadee's Kafe. Food is not a novelty with Jeff and Tina, they have walked the walk. Jeff is also one of the nicest and approachable tavern owners I have ever met. They also offer a variety of Burgers, Appetizers, Chicken, and Wraps. One of my favorite things to do is stop in on Sunday morning from 10:00 a.m. to noon. They offer a basket of fried fish and wings. It is a nice treat before sports time. Another neat feature to add to the timbre of the bar is an upstairs with seating and a balcony to sit around and look down on the big screens and bar area. Russ's Park Place is at 1637 E. Racine Street on Janesville's near east side. Phone: (608) 754-5600.
Russ's Park Place is cool with Cool Dadio.
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- by Bob Keith, June 1, 2007 -
Ding-A-Ling
Last week Heide and I rode the blue Geo Metro out past the west side of Janesville a bit to go out to Ding-A-Ling Supper Club in Hanover. I had never been there. Mom used to mention it once in a while and I saw a general write up on the place recently in the Janesville Messenger. The impetus of the Messenger article focused on that a year or so ago Kyla and Jerrad Wilke purchase the restaurant. They did not dwell on the Friday fish fry. That is my job.
It is best to make reservations because even a bit later in the evening we still had to wait a half hour to be seated. Not all places take reservations on Fridays so I did not think to do it. But they do indeed take them here.
Ding-A-Ling offers three styles of fish all for $8.95 per dinner. And it is also all-you-can-eat. There is beer-battered Cod which is thickly breaded. You get large pieces so I did not need to order more when I finished. It was crispy, yet tender on the inside. They also have plain Cod. The skin of the plain fish is only browned. It reminds me of the fish we used to cook at our Thursday church fish fries. It brought back some memories. They say taste and smell will do that. In recent years restaurants are heavy into the beer battering. It had been a long time since I have had just regular fried Cod. They also offer fried Perch. It was cooked just right, not too dry and not too soggy.
With your fish you can get a baked potato, hash browns, French fries, Boston Browns, or potato pancakes. I ordered the Boston browns. They are skinned slices of potatoes that are seasoned. I thought they were a nice departure from the ubiquitous French fries most places serve up with fish. Heide ordered the potato pancakes. They are home made. This is a big deal because in my opinion they are labor intensive to make.
One last note, the cole slaw is exceptional. It is so creamy and rich in taste I will no-doubt remember it when ever I think of Ding-A-Ling. A little side like cole slaw can make or break a fish fry. It is one of the nuances of the tradition of fish fry.
Ding-A-Ling Supper Club is cool with Cool Dadio.
Ding-A-Ling offers a variety of other daily specials. There is every thing from lobster tail, prime rib, fillet mignon, Walleye, and pork chops. Call (608) 879-9209 to get all the details. From the west side of Janesville, take Highway 11 a few miles to County H and take a left. Hanover is a couple miles down the road. Ding-A-Ling is one of the first places you will see.
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- by Bob Keith, June 29, 2007 -
Prairie Woods Golf Course
Last Friday Heide and I rode in style in the Mitsubishi (I am not worthy) out to Prairie Woods Golf Course. People have been telling me to check it out. One thing that we liked was the patio seating overlooking the course and woods. If you do sit outside, bring a bit of bug lotion just in case the sun begins to set.
The other thing that impressed us both was the well maintained salad bar. They had all the usual suspects; there was creamy cole slaw, fresh rolls, soup, cheese spread, potato salad, and even Mandarin Oranges. One can get fried Cod or Perch for $9.50 for the two piece, or $10.50 for the three piece. The also offer baked or broiled cod for $10.50. The Walleye is $10.50 for a two piece. They offer home made potato pancakes, baked potato, or fries with the fish. They also prepare a different rice dish each week to substitute for the potato side.
I should mention that we were greeted with a nice welcome at the front desk; and, our waitress really kept an eye on our needs. Also, the salad bar had someone assigned to keep it in shape - small attention to details means something in today's often impersonal world.
Prairie Woods Golf Course is cool with Cool Dadio. Out of Janesville take County Road 'A' east and go through Johnstown. Then watch for the sign to the left. Prairie Woods Golf Course is back up in the fields a mile or so. Call (608) 883-6500 for more details on other specials and meals.
- by Bob Keith, July 13, 2007 -
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