Every Friday during Lent. Hours of operation: phone order 4 – 7 p.m.; dine – in 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Media Alert - St. Ferdinand Parish’s Fish Fry Celebrating 30 Years in Chicago with Hundreds Visiting Weekly; Only Archdiocesan Parish to Feature a Drive-thru Service
WHAT: Lent is a solemn 40-day period devoted to reflection, prayer, almsgiving and fasting before Easter. It is also the arrival one of the Midwest’s greatest and most delicious traditions: the fish fry. And with St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Friday this year, Catholics don’t need to break their Lenten observance to indulge in corned beef when fish fries are always a tasty option.
In addition to St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday is St. Joseph’s Day, the feast day of St. Joseph, and St. Ferdinand Parish’s fish fry will be decorated festively for both observances.
For 30 years, St. Ferdinand’s fish fries draw hundreds each Friday night in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood bringing together a diverse group of American, Polish and Hispanic communities working and dining together in the school’s hall. As much as it’s about the food, the fish fry is really about community and gathering together during Lent.
The fish fry offers traditional staples of cod, perch, shrimp, and baked tilapia; also available are clam chowder, vegetable soup, cheese pizza, and cheese sticks, nachos, along with beverages. It is estimated that 25-30 pizzas are sold during each of the six fish fry nights. Prices are affordable: dinners are $12/plate; a la carte items range from $1-$9; cup of soup $3; slice of pizza $3/whole pie $10. All major credit cards are accepted.
The fish fry also features call-ahead ordering, and, is believed to be the only archdiocesan parish fish fry to feature a drive-thru service for Catholics on the go. The parish averages about 80 carry out/drive-thru orders each week.
This well-oiled endeavor relies on more than 50 volunteers many of whom have been volunteering for decades. Students from area high schools also donate their time to serve up orders.
The first two fish fries drew more than 320 guests, with last Friday drawing nearly more than 460 guests and selling more than 200 pounds of fish. Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, also paid a visit to the parish’s fish fry last Friday (photos are available of his visit, if interested).
WHEN: Every Friday during Lent. Hours of operation: phone order 4 – 7 p.m.; dine – in 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: St. Ferdinand School Hall, 3131 N. Mason Ave., in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood.
In addition to St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday is St. Joseph’s Day, the feast day of St. Joseph, and St. Ferdinand Parish’s fish fry will be decorated festively for both observances.
For 30 years, St. Ferdinand’s fish fries draw hundreds each Friday night in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood bringing together a diverse group of American, Polish and Hispanic communities working and dining together in the school’s hall. As much as it’s about the food, the fish fry is really about community and gathering together during Lent.
The fish fry offers traditional staples of cod, perch, shrimp, and baked tilapia; also available are clam chowder, vegetable soup, cheese pizza, and cheese sticks, nachos, along with beverages. It is estimated that 25-30 pizzas are sold during each of the six fish fry nights. Prices are affordable: dinners are $12/plate; a la carte items range from $1-$9; cup of soup $3; slice of pizza $3/whole pie $10. All major credit cards are accepted.
The fish fry also features call-ahead ordering, and, is believed to be the only archdiocesan parish fish fry to feature a drive-thru service for Catholics on the go. The parish averages about 80 carry out/drive-thru orders each week.
This well-oiled endeavor relies on more than 50 volunteers many of whom have been volunteering for decades. Students from area high schools also donate their time to serve up orders.
The first two fish fries drew more than 320 guests, with last Friday drawing nearly more than 460 guests and selling more than 200 pounds of fish. Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, also paid a visit to the parish’s fish fry last Friday (photos are available of his visit, if interested).
WHEN: Every Friday during Lent. Hours of operation: phone order 4 – 7 p.m.; dine – in 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: St. Ferdinand School Hall, 3131 N. Mason Ave., in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood.
Contact: Media Relations Office, 312-534-8227.