My family is not Catholic, but boy, do we love celebrating Lent by hanging out at all the Fish Fries in Des Moines. In fact, sometimes in the middle of the summer my kids will ask me if it’s Fish Fry time yet.
Check our guide to where you can find your favorite fish fry in Des Moines or find a restaurant who is serving up fish on Fridays during Lent. Or if you need 5 reasons fish fries are fabulous, we have them!
- Delicious fish. It’s fresh, it’s hot and crispy. And some places it comes with french fries too!
- Friday nights should be spent eating out, not cooking. By the time Friday rolls around, we are all just DONE with the week.
- It’s seasonal, so it feels extra special!
- Most of them are very affordable, so eating out as a family won’t break the bank.
- Fish is good for your brain (or so I tell my kids).
Fish Fries in Des Moines for 2020
All Saints Catholic Church
650 NE 52nd Ave., Des Moines
Who: The Knights of Columbus
When: Fridays, Feb. 28 to April 3; 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Hand-breaded Alaskan pollock, grilled cheese sandwiches, baked potato or french fries, macaroni and cheese, bread and butter. Beverages and dessert are included.
Price: $9 for adults, $4 for children, age 6-12; children under 6 eat for free. Carryout is available.
More info: (515) 265-5001; dmallsaints.org; Facebook
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
1906 Sycamore St, Granger
When: Fridays, Feb. 28 to April 3; from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Baked or fried fish, baked potato, french fries, homemade coleslaw, homemade vegetarian and cheese pizza, dinner roll and desserts. All proceeds go towards a designated charity each week.
Price: Free will donation
More info: Facebook
Basilica of St. John
1915 University Ave., Des Moines
When: Fridays, Feb. 28 to April 3; from 4:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
What: Fried catfish or baked seasoned pollock — and fried catfish nuggets for the kids — with an egg roll, Spanish rice, and two sides. The meal also includes bread, dessert, and drinks.
Price: $10 adults; $3 kids 4-10; under 3, free. Carryout and family rates are available.
More info: (515) 244-3101, ext. 0; basilicaofstjohn.org; Facebook
Christ the King Parish
5711 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: Fridays, Feb. 28 to April 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Spicy baked salmon, all-you-can-eat fried cod, baked Parmesan-crusted tilapia, or cheese pizza for kids. Sides: french fries, coleslaw, cheesy potatoes, green beans, and dinner rolls. Lemonade and iced tea.
Price: $10 adults; $5 kids
More info: (515) 285-2888; christthekingparish.org; Facebook
Holy Trinity Catholic Church & School
2926 Beaver Ave., Des Moines
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: Feb. 28, March 6, and 27 and April 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Baked tilapia and baked beer-battered cod, fish tacos, mac and cheese, a potato, vegetables, coleslaw, a dinner roll, and assorted beverages. Desserts are provided by the Holy Trinity youth group. Free-will offering supports youth group activities.
Price: $9 adults, $5 kids 5-11; under 5, free; $35 maximum per family.
More info: (515) 255-3162; htschool.org; Facebook
Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church
510 E. First St., Ankeny
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: March 6 and 20, and April 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Hand-battered fried pollock, baked cod, fish tacos, baked potatoes, corn, green beans, dinner rolls, ice cream sundaes, and grilled cheese and tater tots for the kids. A free-will offering will be taken and all donations support local charities.
Takeout service will be available.
Price: Free-will offerings
More info: (515) 964-3038; olih.org; Facebook
Sacred Heart Church
1627 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
When: Fridays, Feb. 28 to April 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: All-you-can-eat fish-fry dinner: hand-battered fish, lemon-pepper baked fish, fish tacos, a baked potato, fries, coleslaw, a roll, and a cheese pizza option. Desserts are available for purchase and all proceeds benefit youth programs.
Takeout service is available.
Price: $10 adults; $5 kids 3-10; kids 2 and under, free. $40 family maximum.
More info: (515) 225-6414; sacredheartwdm.org; Facebook
Sts. John & Paul Catholic Church
1401 First Ave. S., Altoona
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: Fridays, Feb. 28 to April 3, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. for all six Fridays.
What: Baked or deep-fried Alaskan pollock with baked potato or potato salad, green beans, homemade coleslaw, and wheat or white bread. For the kids, macaroni and cheese or cheese pizza are available. Dessert is free with a donation to support parish youth groups.
Drive-thru and take-out are also available.
Price: $10 adults; $5 kids 6-12; under 5, free. Customers can choose to add a skewer of shrimp for $4. Drive-thru and takeout, $10 per order (includes three fish fillets, coleslaw, Hawaiian roll and choice of potato salad or baked potato — no substitutions and no child-size orders are available with the drive-thru, but kids’ mac and cheese and pizza meals will be available).
More info: (515) 967-3796 ; ssjohnpaul.org; Facebook
St. Mary of Nazareth Church
4600 Meredith Drive, Des Moines
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: Fridays, Feb. 28 to April 3 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Fried or baked fish with a variety of sides
Price: $10 adults; $5 kids 12 and under; $9 seniors 60 and older
More info: (515) 276-4042; stmarysdsm.org; Facebook
St. Augustin’s Catholic Church
545 42nd St., Des Moines
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: March 27 and April 3 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
What: Fiesta Fish Bake in the parish hall on two Fridays: The menu will include baked salmon, cod, a full taco and salsa bar, mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches and cheese quesadillas. Takeout is available. Proceeds benefit Knights of Columbus and church youth groups.
Stations of the Cross at 5:30 p.m.
Parking is available in the rear off Grand Avenue. Enter the church through the east entrance.
Price: $10 for adults; free for children 12 and under; $40 max per family.
More info: (515) 255-1175; staugustin.org; Facebook
St. Boniface Catholic Church
1200 Warrior Lane, Waukee
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: Fridays, Feb. 28 to April 3, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
What: Baked tilapia, fried cod, fried shrimp, spaghetti, cheese pizza, coleslaw, vegetables, jello, and chips. Desserts offered by the St. Boniface youth groups (free-will offering).
Price: $10 adults; $5 kids 3-10; kids under 3, free; $35 immediate family maximum.
More info: (515) 987-4597; stbonifacechurch.org; Facebook
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
7075 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: Fridays, Feb. 28 to April 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
What: Fried pollock, baked salmon, baked potatoes, french fries, cheese pizza, mac and cheese, mixed vegetables, coleslaw and breadsticks. Beverages include iced tea, water and lemonade. Desserts are a la carte and proceeds benefit the St. Francis of Assisi Scouts.
Price: $10 adults; $5 kids 6-12; kids under 6, free.
More info: (515) 223-4577; saintfrancischurch.org; Facebook
St. Elizabeth Seton Church
2566 Scotch Ridge Road, Carlisle
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: March 6 and 20, and April 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Baked and deep-fried fish fillets, coleslaw, a baked potato or potato chips, rolls, coffee, and lemonade. Desserts will be available from the St. Elizabeth Seton Ladies Guild. Carryout dinners are also available. Some of the proceeds will be donated to the Carlisle High School Dollars for Scholars scholarship program.
Price: $10 adults; $5 kids 6-11; kids under 5, free.
More info: (515) 989-0659; stelizabethcarlisle.com; Facebook
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
3300 Easton Blvd., Des Moines
Who: Knights of Columbus Council No. 10980
When: Fridays, Feb. 28 to April 3, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Baked or fried fish, hush puppies, green bean casserole, tuna noodle casserole, mac and cheese, cheesy potatoes, a roll and butter along with dessert and drinks.
Price: $9 adults, $7 kids 6-12; kids under 6, free. $40 family maximum (immediate family only). Punch cards can be purchased at $48. The card has six punches for six meals.
More info: (515) 266-2621; stjosephcatholicdsm.org; Facebook
St. Luke the Evangelist
1102 NW Weigel Drive, Ankeny
When: March 27Drive-thru service available from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.; dine-in service is from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Takeout dinners available during dine-in service.
What: Fried and baked pollock, homemade potato chips, green beans, coleslaw and dessert, with macaroni and cheese or fried mac and cheese bites for kids.
Price: Free-will donation
More info: (515) 964-1278; saintluketheevangelist.org
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
210 Route 63 Hwy., Indianola
When: Fridays, Feb. 28 to April 3, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Baked and fried Alaska pollock with no wheat flour, french fries or baked potatoes, homemade coleslaw, fresh-baked dinner rolls, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Desserts will be available for a free-will offering.
Takeout service is available for $10 each.
Price: $10 adults; $5 kids 6-12; kids under 5, free.
More info: (515) 961-7499; stthomasindianola.com; Facebook
Des Moines Restaurants with Lenten Fish Specials
Bonefish Grill
650 S. Prairie View Drive, West Des Moines
What: Fish Frydays
When: Feb. 28 until April 10
What: The Angler’s Catch — battered cod, four battered and fried shrimp, two hush puppies on a bed of fries and coleslaw.
More info: (515) 267-0064; bonefishgrill.com; Facebook
The Chicken
4221 SE Orilla Road, Ste. A, West Des Moines
What: Special Lenten menu including fish tacos, fish sandwiches, fish and chips, and more.
More info: (515) 410-2520; thechickenorilla.com; Facebook
Culver’s
Check out their specialties for Lent including a North Atlantic Cod Sandwich and Butterfly Jumbo Shrimp.
More info: culvers.com
Gateway Market and Cafe
2002 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
What: Beer-battered fresh cod with fries, hush puppies, tartar sauce, fresh lemon, and coleslaw When: Fridays Feb. 28 to April 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Price: $11.99
More info: (515) 243-1754; gatewaymarket.com; Facebook
The Machine Shed Restaurant Urbandale
11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale
When: Fridays Feb. 28 to April 3
What: Enjoy “all-you-care-to-eat” fried cod for $14.49. Dinner includes potato, vegetable, and fixings. Friday lunch special is two pieces of cod, a vegetable, potato and the salad bar for $11.99
More info: (515) 270-6818; machineshed.com; Facebook
Cheese Bar DSM
2925 Ingersoll, Des Moines, Iowa 50312
When: February 28 through April 10
What: Fish Fry-Days: Fish Platters with beer-battered haddock with house coleslaw and tartar, fish tacos and more.
More info: Facebook
The Hall DSM
111 South 11th Street, Suite 200, West Des Moines
When: Fridays March 6 through April 3
What: Fish Fry
More info: Facebook
What’s your favorite Fish Fry in Des Moines?
