Buffalo Fish Fry Spots You Might Not Know About

Fresh fish? Check. Mac salad? You betcha. Potato salad, French fries, rye bread? Check, check, check. During Lent in Buffalo, there’s no shortage of neighborhood pubs, taverns, restaurants, and even churches serving up tender, delectable fish fry. With only so many Fridays left before Easter, you’ll want to make the most of each one by sampling the catch at these establishments that are just a little off the beaten path:

Joey’s Place

83 Niagara St, Tonawanda, NY

Known for its friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere, Joey’s Place offers traditional battered fish fry or broiled options. You can also expect a smorgasbord of sides along with your fry including delicious French fries, macaroni salad and cole slaw.

Jades Bar & Restaurant

4495 Broadway, Depew, NY

This neighborhood bar and restaurant has been a staple of the Depew community for decades, serving Polish fare like golabki, sausage and pierogi. Although ownership has changed hands over the years, the “every day, year round” fish fry recipe at Jade’s has remained exactly the same – just as it was over 45 years ago.

Frank Gourmet Hot Dogs

707 Kenmore Ave, Kenmore, NY

Frank Gourmet Hot Dogs is not a one trick pony. Sure, they’re known for their uniquely dressed hotdogs and burgers piled high with toppings, but they’ve also thrown their hat in the ring for fish every Friday during Lent and are seriously bringing their A-game. While their traditional fish fry dinner is on hiatus this year, their Filet-O-Frank fish sandwich is a welcome addition to their menu.

Bailey Seafood

3316 Bailey Ave, Buffalo, NY

Among their dozens and dozens of seafood options, Bailey Seafood serves one of the best fish frys in Western New York. What’s unique about Bailey Seafood are its options. Customers can pick from options of catfish, haddock, tilapia, cod, bass, red snapper, yellow pike or butterfish. Each order comes with French fries, coleslaw, tartar sauce and hushpuppies.

Wallenwein’s Hotel

641 Oakwood Ave, East Aurora, NY

Located in the charming Village of East Aurora, Wallenwein’s, or lovingly called “Wally’s”, has been a neighborhood-favorite hangout forever – and that’s an understatement. If you’re looking for a no frills kind of fish fry joint, Wally’s is calling your name. Offering beer-battered, panko breaded varieties and rarer Italian, cajun, lemon pepper, and Greek varieties, you’ll want to get to this EA staple early as seating is limited.

Rodney’s

4179 Lakeshore Rd, Hamburg, NY

Where else would you rather eat a tasty, fresh fish fry than right along the shores of Lake Erie? Located about 15 minutes south of Buffalo, Rodney’s puts a unique spin on their fry – serving a corn meal-coated fillet that has some people calling it one of the best in the region.

Curry’s Pub & Restaurant

864 Kenmore Ave, Buffalo, NY

On Kenmore Avenue on the Buffalo/Kenmore border lies a classic fish fry purveyor that seems to be growing in popularity as the years pass by – Curry’s. Revered for their massively portioned haddock fillets served DAILY (beer battered, breaded or broiled), Curry’s has held true to the mantra of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

Happy Swallow Bar & Restaurant

1349 Sycamore St, Buffalo, NY

This East Buffalo bar and restaurant will be packed to the gills during Lent. A very popular, breaded fish fry can be found at Happy Swallow in the weeks leading up to Easter. Served with all the fixins, this is the place to go to rub elbows with the local fish fry enthusiasts.

South Side Social

444 Elk St, Buffalo, NY

The South Side Social and Athletic Club, as it’s formally named, is as under-the-radar as you can get. Only open to the public on Fridays during Lent, entrance requires visitors to be “buzzed” in to dine on this deliciously battered South Buffalo fry. It’s all part of the experience!