It’s officially fish fry season, when even non-Catholics find themselves in church basements and fire halls just to get a taste of the Lenten tradition in Pittsburgh.
If you're new here, fish fries in Pittsburgh go way back, but they weren’t necessarily tied to Lent until 1966 when the Catholic church asked parishioners to abstain from meat during Lent. Today, fish fries are even more sought-after, and local fire departments, churches, and other clubs often rely on them for their annual budgets.
But with so many choices, how do you decide? In 2012, Hollen Barmer faced a similar conundrum. She made her own map and shared it on social media. It took off. Thanks to a growing team of volunteers, this year’s version has more than 240 verified locations.
The 2024 fish fry map filtered for where you can also get homemade pierogi. (Code for Pittsburgh)
“I, of course, like the fish, but I really like the whole package of the Pittsburgh fish fry,” Barmer tells City Cast Pittsburgh. “You've got the sides, you've got the ambiance, you've got the people who work at the fish fries, and it all kind of comes together to make sort of the perfect thing for me.”
Barmer recommends you come hungry and bring cash — especially $1 bills. She always buys extra dessert and any special delicacies available at that location. And if the French fries are a teeny bit soggy, be kind. You’re supporting your community, and that’s what a good fish fry is all about.
Another pro tip: Check out the map's filters. You can isolate for spots serving alcohol or homemade pierogi, that offer drive-thru or lunch options, and are ADA accessible.
Barmer loves the classic Swissvale Fire Department fish fry because “you get to eat in the garage bay with the fire trucks,” but she really wants to make it up to Saint Mary’s in Herman, Pa; their fish fry has been sizzling for 68 years!
