Friday Fish Fry
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

History

Rochester's Catholic community, rooted in the German and Italian-American parishes of the 19th and early 20th centuries, embedded the Friday fish fry so deeply in local culture that it now runs year-round at venues with no religious affiliation. The standard order has remained consistent for decades: haddock or cod, beer-battered and fried, with macaroni salad and coleslaw. Genesee Brew House, Three Heads Brewing, and dozens of neighborhood bars run Friday fish fry programs throughout the year.

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Common allergens: Gluten, Fish

Make it at home

Yield Serves 4Hands-on 20 minTotal 30 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 4 haddock fillets, about 6 ounces each
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cold beer (lager works best)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Lemon wedges to serve
  • Tartar sauce to serve

Method

  1. Heat oil to 375F in a large pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add cold beer and stir until just combined. Lumps are fine.
  3. Pat fish dry. Dip in batter and lower carefully into oil.
  4. Fry 3 to 4 minutes until batter is deep golden and fish is cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
  5. Serve immediately with mac salad, coleslaw, a dinner roll, and lemon wedges.

Tip from the editors. Cold beer and cold batter are key. A warm batter produces a thick, doughy crust instead of a crisp one.

Where to eat friday fish fry

Friday Fish Fry in Rochester

Genesee Brew House ★ 4.1

$$ BrewpubCraft and pilot batches, core lagersDowntown

Genesee Brew House on Cataract St is the pilot taproom for Genesee Brewing (est. 1878), America's oldest continuously operating brewery, with river views.

TipSecond-floor dining room has the best river view. The pilot batch section of the tap list changes weekly. Museum space covers the brewery's history since 1878.

Directions

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que ★ 4.2

$$ BBQDowntown

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on Court St is open until midnight on weekends in the downtown railroad station, one of the few late full-kitchen options downtown.

TipKitchen closes at midnight on Friday and Saturday. Live blues runs until 00:00 on weekends. The bar itself may stay open later than the kitchen; confirm on arrival.

Directions

Three Heads Brewing ★ 4.2

$$ BreweryCraft IPAs, seasonalsNota

Three Heads Brewing on Atlantic Ave in Rochester runs a Neighborhood of the Arts taproom with rotating IPAs, sours, and seasonal releases, plus a beer garden.

TipBeer garden is the best patio in the neighborhood. Friday and Saturday open until midnight. The IPA lineup rotates; check Untappd before going.

Directions

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