There are plenty of fish to be fried during Lenten season in Pittsburgh — a time when locals rush to church basements, fire departments, and social clubs on Fridays to get a taste of this deep fried delicacy.
And you don’t need a god to enjoy the cod! This tradition wasn’t necessarily tied to religion until 1966 when the Catholic church asked parishioners to abstain from meat during Lent. Today, fish fries are even more sought-after, and local organizations often rely on them for their annual budgets.
But with so many options, how do you decide? If you’re new to the festivities or want to widen your net, there’s a comprehensive, interactive Pittsburgh Lenten Fish Fry Map to help you find your favorite spot.
The map shows fish fries from Burgettstown to Uniontown. (Pittsburgh Lenten Fish Fry Map)
Hollen Barmer started charting fish fries on a Google map in 2012, and the map has since grown to include hundreds of locations across Western Pennsylvania — thanks to help from volunteers with Pittsburgh Code for Good.
You can filter the map to include places that are ADA accessible, have takeout or drive-thru, serve alcohol, and (maybe most importantly) dish out homemade pierogi!
Because it’s not just about the fish sandwich – there’s buttery haluski, tangy cole slaw, creamy macaroni and cheese, and a dessert table stacked with cookies, cakes, nut rolls, and more.
Barmer says a good fish fry is about “the trifecta of food, atmosphere, and the people.” That’s why the Swissvale Fire Department is one of her favorites. “You get to eat in the garage bay with the fire trucks!”
