8 Wisconsin Fish Fries That Define Midwest Tradition
Friday night in Wisconsin isn’t complete without the beloved ritual of fish fry. This cherished tradition brings families together around tables loaded with golden-battered fish, creamy coleslaw, and crispy potato pancakes. From Milwaukee’s bustling beer halls to quiet lakeside spots, these eight legendary fish fries capture the heart and soul of Midwest dining culture.
1. Lakefront Brewery
Nothing beats the raucous joy of Lakefront Brewery’s Friday fish fry, where polka music and flowing beer create the perfect Wisconsin vibe. Their beer-battered cod, made with their own Eastside Dark lager, achieves that mythical balance of crispy exterior and flaky interior.
The communal seating at long tables means you’ll likely make new friends between bites of potato pancakes. Their homemade tartar sauce, tangy and herb-flecked, deserves its own fan club among Milwaukee foodies.
2. Harborside Fish Market
Perched right on Lake Michigan, Harborside delivers that perfect marriage of fresh-caught fish and stunning views. My first bite of their lightly breaded perch transported me straight to fish fry nirvana: delicate, sweet, and impossibly fresh.
The family recipe coleslaw has just the right balance of creamy and tangy. What makes this place special is watching fishing boats dock while you dine, sometimes delivering the very catch you’re enjoying!
3. The Wisconsin Club
Walking into The Wisconsin Club feels like stepping back to a more elegant era. Their fish fry might come on fine china, but it maintains that authentic down-home flavor we Wisconsinites crave.
The walleye here gets a light dusting of seasoned flour before pan-frying; no heavy batter to mask the delicate flavor. I’m particularly fond of their homemade potato pancakes, crispy-edged and served with both applesauce and sour cream because why choose just one?
4. Molly’s Landing
This unassuming dockside joint might look like your grandpa’s fishing cabin, but Molly’s Landing serves up what locals whisper might be the best fish fry on Lake Michigan. Their secret? A 70-year-old recipe for a cornmeal-based batter that crisps up like nothing else.
Grab a seat on the weathered deck and watch the sunset while demolishing a platter of bluegill. The homemade rye bread alone is worth the drive to Manitowoc :dark, dense, and perfect for sopping up every last bit of that legendary tartar sauce.
5. Ruth’s Table
Ruth’s breathes new life into the classic fish fry by sourcing everything; and I mean everything; from within 50 miles of Madison. The panko-crusted walleye comes from local lakes, while the accompanying vegetables are harvested from nearby farms that morning.
Even the beer in the batter comes from neighborhood microbreweries! My favorite touch is their house-fermented kimchi slaw, a Korean-inspired take on the classic that adds unexpected zing to this Wisconsin tradition.
6. Kopp’s Frozen Custard
Most folks know Kopp’s for their legendary frozen custard, but insiders flock here on Fridays for a fish fry that rivals the best in Milwaukee. The juxtaposition is pure Wisconsin magic: crispy, beer-battered cod followed by a scoop of the silkiest butter pecan custard ever created.
Their fish comes with the traditional fixings, german potato salad, coleslaw, and marble rye. Pro tip: order the “double fish, single custard” for the perfect balance of savory and sweet that’ll have you waddling to your car in blissful food coma.
7. The Packing House
Only in Wisconsin would someone invent drive-thru fish fry, and The Packing House perfected it decades ago. Friday afternoons see cars wrapped around the block, everyone waiting patiently for those iconic white bags filled with golden-fried cod and old-school fixings.
The fish stays miraculously crispy even after the drive home! Their hash browns instead of fries is a nostalgic touch I adore. My family’s Friday tradition includes calling ahead, picking up our feast, and enjoying it at home while debating whether their homemade clam chowder deserves its legendary status (hint: it absolutely does).
8. Harbor House Restaurant
Harbor House takes Wisconsin’s fish fry tradition and elevates it with a commitment to sustainable seafood that would make your environmentally-conscious aunt proud. Their Friday special features Great Lakes perch caught using responsible fishing methods, paired with locally-grown organic sides.
The panoramic views of Green Bay add to the experience; there’s something magical about watching fishing boats while enjoying the fruits of their labor. Their brandy old fashioned sweet (Wisconsin’s unofficial state cocktail) makes the perfect companion to their lightly breaded, pan-fried perfection.
