If you grew up in the Northeast, the Midwest, or some areas along the Southeast, you may already know about the famous fish fry Fridays. This classic dish is rooted in the Catholic tradition and dates back hundreds of years.
During Lent season — the 40 days leading up to Easter — members of the Catholic Church abstain from eating meat on Fridays. This is done as a form of penance and commemoration of the day Jesus died on the cross. From there fish fry Fridays became a thing that is celebrated to this day.
The definition of ‘meat’ according to the Church is the ‘flesh of warm-blooded animals.’ Fish are cold-blooded, so they naturally became the alternative protein of choice during this season.
Exactly as the name says — fish and fries, or chips if you prefer. The dish seems simple enough, but it does require a practiced touch. There’s a reason it has remained a staple in bars and restaurants all these years, after all.
The meal contains battered or breaded fish, deep-fried until perfectly crunchy on the outside, and then served with a generous helping of French fries.
Other dish components include coleslaw, lemon wedges, tartar sauce, hot sauce, and in some restaurants, a slice of rye bread. Some places also serve fried cheese quesadillas, bean tostadas, and chile Relleno in place of the coleslaw and macaroni salad sides.
But what really makes fish and fries an iconic dish is its ability to bring people together. Since it first started, fish fry Fridays have been a chance to share a meal with family and friends, and celebrate the end of the work week.
That’s easy! Right here at The Butler Pantry. On the first and third Friday of every month, we cook up a classic fish fry dish, alongside other items on our seafood menu.
The secret to any good fish fry meal is the breading mix. This is what gives the fish its rich texture and flavor. Next is the oil. Canola oil is a great option for deep frying. When prepping our fish fry, we make sure the fish is fried to a perfect golden brown coating. The crunch is evident while the fish itself is tender and well-cooked.
We serve the dish with different traditional sides so feel free to let us know if you prefer a particular side dish.
As a variant to the classic, we also offer cornmeal roasted catfish, our take on elevating the catfish meal experience. This dish is served with spinach and sweet potato fries. Let us know what you think.
At The Butler Pantry, we are known for creating unique, fresh, and flavor-packed dishes. Whether it’s boutique catering, private chef services, or just a regular dine-in experience, we are committed to feeding the soul of Los Angeles and its surrounding areas.
Our head chef, Notasha Butler, or "Chef T,” as we call her, holds a degree in Culinary Arts from Le Cordon Bleu. With more than 20 years of experience, she takes cooking and exceptional customer service to a new level.
Your order for the best Friday fish fries in Los Angeles is just one call away. The Butler Pantry offers event catering and personalized meal prep services with a robust menu. Contact us for your next fish fry Fridays.
Call 323-538-4404 or fill out our contact form to place your order. If you’d like to book our catering service, please fill out our Catering Booking Form and let us know about your event. We look forward to serving you some of the tastiest dishes you’ll ever find in LA.
