It's Friday Night Fish Fry Season in Hudson

Thank the Lord, it’s fish fry season. Lent, the Christian tradition of the fast until Easter, brings the fish fry out in full force at VFW halls and church basements around the country. In Wisconsin, we're lucky to have a year-round tradition of the Friday night fish fry in almost every tavern, restaurant, grill, supper club ... you name it.

Load up your family and friends, because there’s all-you-can-eat fish fries going on around Hudson, and a few seasonal ones not to miss. Here's just a sampling of this blessed piscatorial event; add your favorite in the comments. Be patient or call for reservations as establishments can get pretty busy on a Friday night during Lent.

St. Patrick Catholic Church

The 15th Annual Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at is April 1 and 15, 4:30-7  p.m. It’s a double good deal, as it includes baked or fried cod and homemade fixins’ plus proceeds help local charities. Takeout available. $11 for adults, $5 for ages 5-12 and under age 5, free.

Bob Smith's Sports Club

has a year-round Friday night A-Y-C-E fried perch or pollock dinner for $7.50 served 5-10 p.m.; children’s fish dinner is $4.25. It includes fries, cole slaw and a roll. While I love their slaw, sometimes I order an a la cart salad with their great homemade blue-cheese dressing.

Kaladi's 2.0

 has reopened after a short hiatus (formerly J.W. Kaladi's) and has an A-Y-C-E Friday night fish fry all year. For $10.99 you’ll get hand-dipped, beer-battered cod with Kaladi’s special-recipe tartar sauce plus cole slaw and seasoned fries. Go a little healthier with the broiled cod, $1 extra. Be an early bird and save $1 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Seasons Tavern

 in North Hudson has both Wednesday and Friday night fish fries during Lent and on Fridays throughout the year. You get A-Y-C-E hand-dipped beer-battered or broiled/seasoned cod loins, the thickest part of the filet, plus cole slaw and choice of potato: baked, garlic-mashed, French fries, hashed-brown, baby red or special Tavern spuds. $12 for adults; $6 for kids to age 12. And if you’re hankering for A-Y-C-E fish on a Monday night, you’re in luck: Seasons features grilled, blackened or deep fried walleye for $15. 

Culver's

is chain restaurant that started 30 years ago in Sauk City that has a seasonal walleye fish dinner. It’s available all week during Lent and into spring, with two sides, a roll and Culver’s pre-packed tartar sauce with capers, olives and sweet relish, which I prefer over ketchup with their fries. $9.29 for a two-piece dinner; $11.49 for a three-piece.