A taste of classic Wisconsin: the
Friday Night Fish Fry. A quote from an an article on the Fry (linked above) gives you a taste of this tasty bit of Americana:
"Friday nights in Wisconsin suggest “let’s go out for fish.” You know you can go just about anywhere in the state on Friday night and find a delicious, reasonably-priced meal of fish, generally offered baked or broiled besides fried, at restaurants upscale, ethnic, or basic, taverns, and churches. Commonly the meal includes potatoes—baked, fried, or pancakes—a coleslaw with mayonnaise- or vinegar-based dressing, bread, and of course, plenty of beer. Served buffet or family style, by the plate and to go, meals vary regionally and by restaurant, with some stressing just the fish, maybe with rye bread and a slice of onion or split pea soup on the side, and others embracing the supper club full course meal with appetizers or salad bar. The fish itself varies from small to large, local to exotic species, battered and deep-fried, dusted in flour or cornmeal and pan-fried, blackened with Cajun spices and broiled or baked, and more. The region’s yellow perch, walleye, bluegills, and smelt get special billing, while Atlantic cod has served for years as an unheralded mainstay.
Not only is a fish fry a tasty meal, reasonably priced, but it is a socially-charged atmosphere where friends, family, and neighbors mingle, exchange stories, share comfort food and drink, and partake of Wisconsin’s famed party culture and friendly ambiance. It is a Wisconsin event. Woe to Friday travelers arriving at mealtime at an unfamiliar restaurant that offers a compelling fish fry! The line may be long, but the wait is part of the festive sequence: strangers break into conversation while friends share camaraderie, sometimes at the bar or over a game of cribbage. Impatience is uncool. Bracketed and bolstered by companionship, the meal will eventually arrive, as the centerpiece and denouement of the evening.
You levitate back home—doggy bag in hand—sated and warmed by food and spirit, the weekend officially opened."
Here are some links to Friday Night Fish Fry's in the Dells and surrounding area, for those of you that'll be in on Friday night! (And a swell video history of the Fish Fry) The
Sandstone Pub and Grill . N 422 County Road N, Wisconsin Dells 53965, 608-253-6421.
Just outside of the Dells on the Wisconsin River, the
Bayside Bar and Grill. W1147 River Bay Rd., Lyndon Station 53944, 608-254-7193.
Buffalo Phils Pizza and Grille is part of a big amusement complex, and yet even corporate entertainment cannot resist the siren song of the Friday Night Fish Fry. It is right next to
Knuckleheads Indoor Amusement Park. 150 Gasser Rd., Lake Delton 53940, 608-254-7300.
Moosejaw--touted as the Dells only micro-brewery, we haven't been here yet but had great success with the other souther WI breweries we went too.
The
Del-Bar; Nothing but class. A lovely, fancy resturant, great old school charm and decor, incredible steak, brandy old fashioneds, and yes, a great pan-fried Walleye. 1-608-253-1861; 800 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy., Lake Delton, WI 53940.
Ravinia Bay--scenic + fried! Outside of the Dells. 1-608-254-2680, 231 E. Durkee St., Lake Delton, WI 53940.
The
River's Edge--Fried fish every day, and pretty neat decor from the look of it; 1-608-253-6600, 30 Cty. Rd. A, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965.
Edge O'Dells Bar and Grill and RV Resort. Never been. Fascinating... 1-608-253-4275; N555 US Hwy 12 & 16, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965.
The
Country Keg Saloon, located n Downtown Dells, so it's walkable from the motel, but never been. Weird how the dells make you think "Aw, it doesn't have it's own roller coaster or animatronic gorilla, that's too bad". 1-608-254-7475; 732 Oak St., Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965.
drink deals:http://www.dells.com/wisconsin-dells-deals/wisconsin-dells-vip-pub-crawl-card.htm
an intriguing list of
Dells Night nightlife spots;
http://www.dells.com/wisconsin-dells-nightlife/wisconsin-dells-night-life.htm
other Wisconsin fish fry's of note throughout the state:
http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/print_article.php?articleId=212388
and to learn more about
classic Wisconsin and what makes this state so great;
http://www.classicwisconsin.com/index.html
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