A little reason to celebrate
Friday Fish Fry Day
Food · Seasonal · 44 days before Easter
A day for the American fish fry: battered or breaded white fish, coleslaw and rye bread, often served at church halls, taverns and supper clubs.
Friday Fish Fry Day falls on Friday, February 12, 2027. That is 108 days away.
A fish fry is a meal and a gathering at once. Fillets of white fish are dipped in batter or breading, lowered into hot oil and served by the plateful, usually on a Friday night and often with a line out the door.
The fish depends on the region. Cod and haddock are common choices, and around the Great Lakes you will often find perch or walleye. In the South, catfish rolled in cornmeal is the usual pick. The sides are nearly as settled as the fish: coleslaw, a slice of rye bread, fries or potato pancakes, tartar sauce and a wedge of lemon. In Wisconsin, a brandy old fashioned on the table is part of the picture for many families.
Much of the appeal is where it happens. Church halls, fire stations, veterans' posts and corner taverns run fish fries with volunteer cooks and long folding tables. You pay at a card table near the door, sit next to people you have never met, and someone comes by with more coleslaw before you think to ask. Restaurants and supper clubs keep the habit too, some with a menu that changes only when the price does.
Frying at home is manageable with a heavy pot, a thermometer and some patience. Beer batter gives a puffy, crackly crust. A dry dredge of seasoned flour or cornmeal gives a thinner, crisper one that holds up well to a squeeze of lemon.
The last piece on the platter is usually the one with the most crust, and it rarely goes unclaimed.
Ways to celebrate
- Look for a fish fry at a local church hall, fire station or veterans' post.
- Try frying a few fillets at home in a beer batter or cornmeal dredge.
- Make a batch of homemade tartar sauce and coleslaw to go alongside.
- Share your favorite local fish fry spot with a friend or neighbor.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, February 20 |
| 2027 | Friday, February 12 |
| 2028 | Friday, March 3 |
| 2029 | Friday, February 16 |
| 2030 | Friday, March 8 |
All national days on February 12
Also on February 12
Categories: Food daysSeasonal days