Meat-free Fridays are no problem.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants to take refuge in if your Lenten commitments have left you with a meatless diet on Fridays this spring. Or, if not, it's just a great excuse to chow down on some fried food (as if you really need one).
Updated March 2025
Weekly Specials
1300 W. Wellington Ave. - Lakeview
1970 West Montrose - Ravenswood
Farm Bar's organic, beer-battered (who knew those phrases could go together?) fried fish is served during dinner service every Friday along with fries and tartar slaw.
Image Via FACEBOOK / Pleasant House Pub
2119 S. Halsted St. - Pilsen
Pleasant House Pub's beer-battered fried fish (served with chips and homemade tartar sauce) is a neighborhood—and possibly even city-wide—favorite. Get your fix on Fridays during Lent!
2913 N. Clark St. - Lakeview
The Duke Of Perth might offer its much-praised fish and chips every day, but we recommend going on Wednesdays and Fridays when the "all you can eat" option is generously offered.
3030 N. Racine St. - Lakeview
More all-you-can-eat fish fry goodness: Will's Northwoods Inn on Fridays. The cod filets are hand-dipped in a house-made Leinenkugel's Original beer batter and served with coleslaw, fries, and rye toast. The deal is offered all day.
2159 W. Chicago Ave. - Ukrainian Village
Tuman's fresh beer-battered cod and fries special with tartar sauce is offered on Ash Wednesday and every Friday of Lent after 4 p.m. They are also tapping some Lent Beers for the season if you're looking to keep a stricter fast.
Photo Via Facebook/Friday Night Fish Fry
4626 N. Knox Ave. - Mayfair
The Irish American Heritage Center offers an all-you-can-eat fish fry every Friday during Lent. The Fish Fry runs Fridays until April 18th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Fifth Province Pub, and the menu features fried cod, French fries, a vegetable, and coleslaw. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children, with live Irish music and dance performances included.
Photo via INSTAGRAM / Mac’s Wood Grilled
1801 W. Division St. - Wicker Park
From March 5th - April 18th, Mac's is serving up a $18 fish and chips entree featuring beer-battered white fish, hand-cut fries, and tartar sauce or a $15 fish sandwich. The kicker? You don't even have to wait til Friday: Mac's is frying fish daily during Lent.
2700 W Chicago Ave. - Humboldt Park
Heritage is offering special Lenten dishes for both dine-in and pick-up on Fridays from March 7th - April 18th, 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Options include a classic fried whitefish sandwich as well as butter-poached lobster roll, a "Mack-Daddy" Filet-o-Fish and “Chicago” Pepper & Egg Sando on a handmade sub roll.
3281 W Armitage Ave. - Logan Square
The path to deliciousness is paved with Best Intentions...or whatever the phrase is. Point is - Best Intentions in Logan Square has some incredible 'Filet O' Fridays' during Lent that you need to check out!
Fish On The Reg'
2120 S. Canal St. - Pilsen
3242 W. 87th St - Ashburn
Known for some of the BEST shrimp to hit your lips, Lawrence Fisheries offers a delicious selection of fish year-round!
24 S. Michigan Ave. - The Loop
The Gage's Guinness-battered fried fish is offered on the menu daily, but it's the uber-traditional serving style—wrapped in a newspaper and paired with malt tartar sauce—that makes it a real treat.
5062 N. Lincoln Ave. - Lincoln Square
The Atlantic offers Fish Fry everyday! Stop by for their beer battered catch of the day with a side of coleslaw and tartar sauce.
Image via Facebook/Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W. Armitage Ave. - Logan Square
2435 N. Halsted St. - Lincoln Park
5721 N Clark St. - Andersonville
Parson's namesake fried fish have a light, summery taste to them. Available in baskets of three, six, or nine pieces. Also give their fish sandwich a try (ask for extra homemade hot sauce!).
3801 N. Ashland Ave. - North Center
A.J. Hudson's never-frozen, British-style fish and chips are a daily favorite at the Lakeview pub. Fresh, battered Atlantic cod is served with fries, peas, and tartar sauce.
600 E. Grand Ave. - Navy Pier
Captain’s Fish & Chips Beer Battered Pike, Tartar Sauce, Louisiana Hot Sauce, Texas Toast, and Fries on the rooftop at Navy Pier--Can life get any better?
3471 N Elston Ave. - Avondale
A real Irish pub with a beer garden to match is the perfect place to get some fish and chips. Try Chief O'Neill's lager-battered cod and wash it down with your favorite cold one.
image via facebook / basant
1939 W Byron St. - Roscoe Village
Looking to literally spice things up? Try Basant's fish Amritsari — fish fried in batter and a blend of spices with a side of mint chutney (It still comes with fries of course!).
3905 N Lincoln Ave. - North Center
The Irish are known for their potatoes, but their fish cuisine is next level! Stop by and grab a fried plate of Haymarket Lager battered fish all year long!
641 E 47th St. - Bronzeville
With an almost entirely seafood menu, Two Fish Crab Shack is a great place to try for Lent. Try not to get overwhelmed by the options!
Photo Via: FACEBOOK / LADY GREGORY'S
5620 N Clark St. - Edgewater
Lady Gregory's offers classic fish and chips with haddock instead of the traditional cod. Not to worry, they kept the chips and the slaw, so it's not too much change. They even have a gluten-sensitive option.
5635 W Montrose Ave. - Portage Park
They sell deep-fried seafood by the pound, so load up on lake perch and smelt for your fish and choose between fries and tater tots as your "chips."
1934 West Irving Park Rd. - North Center
They've got fish and chips marked as one of their favorites, and we hope it'll soon be one of yours. Get classic beer-battered cod with their specialty peas and Louis sauce at The Globe.
Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know at [email protected]!
