Well faithful readers, we've made it through another year of fish frys, luckily without
enhancing our waistlines. We are taking Good Friday off to spend time with family,
so if you want to find a fish fry to visit today, you're on your own. We've had a lot of
fun visiting new churches, we've eaten a lot of great fish, and we've met some great
people. And even though we may have ruffled a few feathers, we hope our commentary
was informative, useful, or at least entertaining.
So this is goodbye, until next lent. Cheers fellow fish lovers!
Friday, April 6, 2012
St. James
Last Friday we visited an old stand-by, the west side parish St. James. The first thing we
noticed was the catering truck in the parking lot. Unlike most volunteer-run frys, James
sources theirs out to the professionals.
We arrived at out destination around 6pm and were met with a manageable wait of 15 to 20
minutes. We had a large group but upon entering the gymateria comprised of round table
with chairs, we were able to acquire an entire table for ourselves with out much hassle.
After paying an entry fee of $8.50 for adults and $4.50 for Children one is met with plates,
trays and a two-sided buffet line. St. James does a great job of providing ample sides and
good fish. Not only are the staples of coleslaw, macaroni and cheese and french fries available
but they go the extra mile to provide garlic butter texas toast, applesauce and delicious red
skin potatoes.
The Pollock served is quite delicious if not to the level of this years favorites Blessed Sacrament
and St. Alphonsus. I’m quite sure the fried was the favorite or our group but the baked was
a nice alternative and prepared well. By the time we were ready for seconds on fish the fry
was winding down and there was not a lot left, but generally the fish is abundant and sides
perpetually stocked at this well-oiled fish fry.
We enjoyed Breckenridge brewery’s Amber Ale with our meal and it paired very nicely.
As always there is a dessert table, this one being donation based, and the obligatory 50/50 raffle
for those wishing to gamble.
noticed was the catering truck in the parking lot. Unlike most volunteer-run frys, James
sources theirs out to the professionals.
We arrived at out destination around 6pm and were met with a manageable wait of 15 to 20
minutes. We had a large group but upon entering the gymateria comprised of round table
with chairs, we were able to acquire an entire table for ourselves with out much hassle.
After paying an entry fee of $8.50 for adults and $4.50 for Children one is met with plates,
trays and a two-sided buffet line. St. James does a great job of providing ample sides and
good fish. Not only are the staples of coleslaw, macaroni and cheese and french fries available
but they go the extra mile to provide garlic butter texas toast, applesauce and delicious red
skin potatoes.
The Pollock served is quite delicious if not to the level of this years favorites Blessed Sacrament
and St. Alphonsus. I’m quite sure the fried was the favorite or our group but the baked was
a nice alternative and prepared well. By the time we were ready for seconds on fish the fry
was winding down and there was not a lot left, but generally the fish is abundant and sides
perpetually stocked at this well-oiled fish fry.
We enjoyed Breckenridge brewery’s Amber Ale with our meal and it paired very nicely.
As always there is a dessert table, this one being donation based, and the obligatory 50/50 raffle
for those wishing to gamble.
St. James Catholic Church
733 Bridge Street Northwest
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Arrival time: 6pm
Wait: 10-15 minutes
Parking: Large parking lot
Cost: $8.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors (60 and over), children 5-12 $4.50, 4 and under FREE.
Take-out: Available
Tables: Round
733 Bridge Street Northwest
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Arrival time: 6pm
Wait: 10-15 minutes
Parking: Large parking lot
Cost: $8.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors (60 and over), children 5-12 $4.50, 4 and under FREE.
Take-out: Available
Tables: Round
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
St. Jude and This Week's Destination
Last Friday, we traveled to St. Jude for a taste of a fish fry we had not yet experienced.
Jude's was a different vibe than some of the events we've been to this year. It was pretty laid back, not a lot of activity. It wasn't terribly busy which meant no waiting in line, and an easy job of finding a seat. We came at 6:00 and it felt like we were the tail end of the night, so this is certainly an event for those who prefer to eat earlier.
The food was okay, not our favorite, but we've been to some heavy hitters so far. The fried fish was pretty good, the baked was a tad too salty for our tastes. The sides were pretty standard, coleslaw, rolls and french fries. No baked potato, but I was happy to see mac and cheese on the menu. The deserts were good and there were plenty available. We had carrot cake, my favorite. The Flying Dog Raging Bitch Belgian-Style IPA we brought was a little strong compared to the food. (That's lemonade in the photo btw) One good feature of this event that it is all-you-can-eat buffet style, which we haven't seen too much of this year.
Overall, we met some really nice people, and had a good time. We likely will not be visiting Judes again, although it would be good for anyone who wants a laid-back, easy Friday dinner.
This Friday we'll be going to an old favorite and a classic, St. James. We hope you'll join us.
St. Jude Catholic Church
1120 Four Mile Road NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Arrival time: 6pm
Wait: None
Parking: Large parking lot out front, very easy and close
Cost: $8.50 Adults, $7.50 Seniors (62 and older), Kids (ages 6-12) $4.00, Family plan $23.00
Take-out: Available
Tables: Round
Jude's was a different vibe than some of the events we've been to this year. It was pretty laid back, not a lot of activity. It wasn't terribly busy which meant no waiting in line, and an easy job of finding a seat. We came at 6:00 and it felt like we were the tail end of the night, so this is certainly an event for those who prefer to eat earlier.
The food was okay, not our favorite, but we've been to some heavy hitters so far. The fried fish was pretty good, the baked was a tad too salty for our tastes. The sides were pretty standard, coleslaw, rolls and french fries. No baked potato, but I was happy to see mac and cheese on the menu. The deserts were good and there were plenty available. We had carrot cake, my favorite. The Flying Dog Raging Bitch Belgian-Style IPA we brought was a little strong compared to the food. (That's lemonade in the photo btw) One good feature of this event that it is all-you-can-eat buffet style, which we haven't seen too much of this year.
Overall, we met some really nice people, and had a good time. We likely will not be visiting Judes again, although it would be good for anyone who wants a laid-back, easy Friday dinner.
This Friday we'll be going to an old favorite and a classic, St. James. We hope you'll join us.
St. Jude Catholic Church
1120 Four Mile Road NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Arrival time: 6pm
Wait: None
Parking: Large parking lot out front, very easy and close
Cost: $8.50 Adults, $7.50 Seniors (62 and older), Kids (ages 6-12) $4.00, Family plan $23.00
Take-out: Available
Tables: Round
Thursday, March 22, 2012
This week's destination
My apologies for the late posts this week. Tomorrow evening you'll find us at St. Jude Catholic Church. We hope to see you there, on one of the last Fridays this Lenten season.
St. Jude Catholic Church
1120 Four Mile Road NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Time: 4:30pm – 6:300pm
Dinner Options: All you can eat dinner featuring, fried and baked fish, macaroni and cheese, french fries, coleslaw, dinner rolls, beverage, and dessert.
Price: $8.50 Adults, $7.50 Seniors (62 and older), Kids (ages 6-12) $4.00, Family plan $23.00
St. Jude Catholic Church
1120 Four Mile Road NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Time: 4:30pm – 6:300pm
Dinner Options: All you can eat dinner featuring, fried and baked fish, macaroni and cheese, french fries, coleslaw, dinner rolls, beverage, and dessert.
Price: $8.50 Adults, $7.50 Seniors (62 and older), Kids (ages 6-12) $4.00, Family plan $23.00
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