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Award-winning fish fry returns with hybrid approach

News of the Diocese

March 15, 2022

Award-winning fish fry returns with hybrid approach
Award-winning fish fry returns with hybrid approach
Award-winning fish fry returns with hybrid approach
Award-winning fish fry returns with hybrid approach
Award-winning fish fry returns with hybrid approach
Award-winning fish fry returns with hybrid approach
Award-winning fish fry returns with hybrid approach
Award-winning fish fry returns with hybrid approach
Award-winning fish fry returns with hybrid approach

The fish fry at St. Joseph Parish in Avon Lake, which was voted best fish fry in the Diocese of Cleveland by readers of Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine in 2019, is back in full force. The popular fish fry switched to five weeks of drive-thru only meals after the coronavirus pandemic lockdown in 2020. It remained a drive-thru only event during 2021 as the pandemic continued.

But this year, as COVID-19 transmission rates fell steadily, the fish fry just completed the second week of the 2022 Lenten season with a combination of in-person dining and drive-thru service.

After ironing out a few kinks the first Friday of Lent, organizers say the combination approach ran pretty smoothly on March 11, despite the wintry weather.

“This year for 2022, by the grace of God, we've been able to bring back dining in here at our fish fry,” said Phil Lewandowski, pastoral assistant at St. Joseph. “The one thing I've noticed with the dine-in that is a big change is the kids running around. That for me has just been an awesome joy to have the kids running around and hanging out.”

Lewandowski handles logistics for the fish fry. It takes about a ton and a half of fish and 300-400 volunteers to make the event run each Friday night for six weeks, he said. Some volunteers come in a few days before to prepackage some of the food and then a larger cadre that includes many school-age children arrives to work at the actual event.

Lewandowski said they served more than 1,000 meals the first two weeks, with the split averaging about 55% take-out and 45% dine-in meals. During the pandemic, the parish started using an online, pre-ordering system. Volunteers have the drive-thru pick-ups down to an assembly line process.

As the saying goes, “This is not your grandmother’s fish fry.” It’s a little more gourmet.

Father Ron Wearsch, St. Joseph pastor, was a professional chef before answering the call to the priesthood. Besides fried perch and shrimp, the menu features three types of baked fish that come with some savory sauces.

“We are really known for our sauces. So, the chardonnay dill sauce goes with the salmon, the mango chutney goes with the cod and then we do a caper butter sauce with the walleye,” explained Father Wearsch. He said the mango chutney with the cod is a new addition to the menu and is the least expensive fish on the menu. It costs $14 and comes with green beans and coleslaw. The menu also features a variety of a la carte sides, along with homemade clam chowder and tomato bisque soup.

But diners, volunteers, and organizers say the fish fry is about more than great food. Everyone appreciates the community atmosphere and the camaraderie that make it both a social and spiritual way to bond.

As 7-year-old Mason runs out and stretches up on his toes to hand a to-go order to the driver of an SUV, his mother, Colleen Watson, said, “He just likes to help. All the kids love running out and delivering the to-go orders.”

“This is not only social, but also spiritual,” Lewandowski said. “We're all human people with body, soul and spirit called to love our neighbor. And these are all our neighbors that we're meeting here each and every week.”

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