Hand-breaded haddock or beer-battered fish, deep-fried and served with German potato salad, coleslaw, rye bread and tartar sauce. A Buffalo Catholic Lenten staple available year-round at most taverns, peak through Lent.
Western New York's heavy Catholic population (Polish, German, Irish, Italian immigrants) built the Friday fish fry tradition around Lenten meatless Fridays. The dish predates the wing by decades and remains the city's most-ordered Friday-night dinner from mid-February through Easter. Wiechec's, Romanello's and corner-tavern fish fries anchor the tradition.
3 editor picks for Friday fish fry in Buffalo, ranked by editorial score. All Buffalo signature dishes · Friday fish fry across every city.
Schwabl's ★ 4.7
west-seneca · 789 Center Rd, West Seneca, NY 14224
Schwabl's at 789 Center Road in West Seneca has been the canonical beef on weck since 1837, slicing rare roast beef onto caraway kummelweck rolls.
Wiechec's Lounge ★ 4.5
east-side · 1748 Clinton St, Buffalo, NY 14206
Wiechec's Lounge on Clinton Street is the East Side fish-fry institution, with oversized hand-breaded haddock that hangs off the plate through Lent.
Pearl Street Grill and Brewery ★ 4.2
downtown · 76 Pearl St, Buffalo, NY 14202
Pearl Street Grill and Brewery on Pearl Street downtown has anchored Buffalo brewpubs since 1997, with four floors, nine bars and house-brewed beer.