The fish fry season is in full swing.
Numerous Jefferson County churches and civic organizations are holding the traditional fried fish meals on Fridays during Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and ends on Easter, April 20.
To follow the Catholic tradition of not eating meat on Fridays during Lent, thousands of countians search for fish dinners, and volunteers from around the county work diligently to meet the demand.
American Legion Post 253 in Festus typically has five people work between Tuesdays and Thursdays to get things ready for the Friday fish fries at the post, 849 American Legion Drive, said post commander Larry Ahlen.
The St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Imperial has about 50 volunteers work during its Friday fish fries, held during the Lenten season in the Corpus Christi Center, 6020 Old Antonia Road, with the work beginning on Tuesday when the parish receives its shipment of food, said Rob Houston, the parish’s fish fry co-chair.
Sandy Colatskie of the High Ridge Elks Lodge 2455 said about three volunteers help prepare food in the days leading up to its fish fries, and about 16 volunteers help run the dinners on Fridays at the post, 2808 Old Hunning Road.
“We couldn’t do it without people volunteering,” said Houston, 60, of Imperial. “It is crucial to have the right number of volunteers.”
Festus American Legion
Since 2015, Festus American Legion has been holding fish fries on every Friday, not just during Lent, except for on a few occasions around major holidays, said Shirley Schmidt, 71, of Festus.
However, the crowds are larger during Lent.
During the summers, about 1,800 meals are served each Friday, but during the Lenten season, that number nearly doubles to about 3,200, Ahlen said.
“I look forward to fish fries,” said Jane Gibson, 68, of Pevely, who has been a Festus American Legion Auxiliary member for about 20 years. “The food and people are great.”
Shirley Schmidt peels potatoes to make potato salad for the Festus American Legion Post 253 fish fry.
Ahlen said the work for a fish fry starts on Tuesdays when two volunteers spend about four hours going to get the fish, returning to the post with it and storing it. On Wednesdays, three to five people work for about five hours preparing side dishes, and on Thursdays, two more people work for about six hours preparing the fish and making desserts.
Schmidt said she and Gibson, Diane McCart, Lisa Wolfers and Rose Willis prepare the side dishes and also work during the fish fries.
“We are a great group,” said Schmidt, who has been a member of the women’s Auxiliary since 2014. “Each one of us knows every station in there, and everyone knows what to do and can jump in to help with anything.”
Kenneth Carr, 70, of Pevely, who is in charge of frying the fish and making spaghetti and desserts, said there is more work to get done during Lent.
“It is more prep because you have to thaw more fish and be ready to get more out in a split second,” he said.
The Festus American Legion charges $16 for a plate of cod and $14 for catfish, shrimp or jack salmon plates. Orders of just cod cost $9, and orders of only catfish, shrimp or jack salmon cost $8.
While it takes plenty of work to get ready for and operate the fish fries, which run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Schmidt said it is worth it.
“I look forward to working with all of the volunteers,” she said. “A lot of times, it is the only time we see each other. After the fish fry, we will go upstairs and have a drink to unwind. We sit there and complain about knees, back and hips, but by George, we are right back here the next Wednesday.”
St. Joseph
Houston, who co-chairs the parish’s fish fry committee with Autumn Feazel-Nowak, said St. Joseph has held the dinners during Lent since moving to its current location in 2000. The parish also held fish fries when it was located in Kimmswick.
He said he has volunteered to help run the fish fries since 2005.
“It is fun and exciting on Fridays,” Houston said. “When you open the doors, people start filing in. It is always a happy atmosphere.”
Houston said the parish receives its food delivery on Tuesdays, and the frozen fish is thawed in the refrigerator on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and volunteers start preparing the Corpus Christi Center for dining on Friday mornings. At about 1 p.m., the first wave of eight to 10 volunteers starts preparing the food.
“The excitement starts at about 4 p.m. when we start frying the fish and you smell it throughout the kitchen,” he said. “It puts a smile on everyone’s face and gets you on your toes.”
The fish fry gets a boost from parishioners who donate desserts for the Friday dinners, which includes a mix of store-bought and homemade desserts, Houston said.
“I think people really love the desserts,” he said. “I heard on more than one occasion that you have to go up and get one of grandma’s cupcakes or brownies. We have some notable cooks and bakers in the parish, and people always point out which desserts are from them.”
St. Joseph’s fish fries are from 4:30-7 p.m. on Fridays through April 11. A large plate with either two pieces of cod, catfish or shrimp or Alfredo penne pasta, along with two sides, a dessert and bottomless soft drink, costs $18. Customers also may purchase a small plate for $9 that includes either one piece of cod or catfish or Alfredo penne pasta with one side, a dessert and bottomless soft drink.
Houston said the fish fries changed after the Corpus Christi Center was built in 2019 and the dinner moved from the school’s cafeteria.
“We didn’t have commercial fryers (in the school cafeteria), and the most we could do was about 500 meals,” said Houston, adding that about 700 meals are now served on Fridays. “Also, people had to wait a long time for their food. It could be up to an hour before you would be served. In the CCC building, we have four commercial fryers, and we never run out of food. The speed at which we deliver the product is so much faster.”
High Ridge Elks
Colatskie, 65, of House Springs, an Elk and a bartender at the lodge for 12 years, said the lodge has held Friday fish fries during Lent for at least 15 years.
She said a lot of the food preparation begins on Thursday, which includes preparing the hush puppy batter, cooking the spaghetti noodles and mixing up the ingredients for the green beans that are served. On Friday, volunteers start making the food, which typically calls for three people to cut, bread and fry the fish.
“It is a lot to do, but we all enjoy it,” she said.
The fish fry is held between 4-7 p.m. on Fridays through April 18, and the Elks charge $12 for either a two-piece catfish dinner, six-piece shrimp dinner or a catfish and three-shrimp dinner. The lodge also offers a kid’s meal for $6, which includes either two chicken strips or one piece of fish.
“We typically sell out,” Colatskie said. “We can go through 12 cases of fish. We will serve between 120 to 130 customers, but I can’t say how many meals are sold.”
Colatskie said the funds raised through the fish fries are used to fund scholarships for graduating high school seniors to continue their education, purchase toys for the kids Christmas party and buy bicycles that are given away during the annual Easter egg hunt.
“We all come together (to hold the fish fries) and feel like we are doing something good,” she said. “We are all glad when it is the end of the night and can relax. Everyone does a fantastic job.”
Other area fish fries in Jefferson County
Arnold Knights of Columbus 6018
- Where: 1623 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold
- When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays through April 18
Arnold VFW Post 2593
- Where: 2301 Church Road, Arnold
- When: 3-7 p.m. on Fridays through April 18
De Soto Knights of Columbus 1185
- Where: 13225 Hwy. E, De Soto
- When: 5-7 p.m. on Fridays through April 18
Festus Knights of Columbus 1230
- Where: 316 N. Adams St., Festus
- When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays through April 18
Meramec-Arnold Elks Lodge 2372
- Where: 1515 Miller Road, Imperial
- When: 4-7 p.m. Fridays through April 18
Our Lady Catholic Parish
- Where: 1550 St. Mary Lane, Festus
- When: 4-7 p.m. Fridays through April 11
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Parish
- Where: 4696 Notre Dame Lane, House Springs
- When: 4-7 p.m. Friday through April 11
More fish fry events can be found in the Leader's calendar section.