Lent is the traditional time before Easter when Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays. Which means, fish fries! One need not be Catholic to enjoy the flaky, crispy fish and accompaniments. These family-friendly events are also community gatherings and many offer carry-out options if you’d rather eat at home. Lenten Fridays begin on February 24 and run through April 7.
Check our guide to where you can find fish fries in Des Moines, plus we’ve included a few of our favorite restaurants that serve fish on Fridays during Lent.
Fish Fries in Des Moines for 2023
All Saints Catholic Church
Where: 650 NE 52nd Ave., Des Moines
Who: The Knights of Columbus
When: Lenten Fridays, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m
What: Fish, fries, coleslaw, and dessert (desserts are pre-packaged)
Price: 10 adults, $5 kids 5-11, kids under 5 free
Contact: (515) 265-5001
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Where: 1906 Sycamore St, Granger
When: Lenten Fridays, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Baked or fried fish, baked potato, homemade coleslaw, dinner roll, and cookies. Additionally whole cheese pizza option.
Price: Free will donation
Contact: (515) 999-2239
The Basilica of St. John
Where: 1915 University Ave, Des Moines
When: Lenten Fridays, 4:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
What: Fried Catfish or Baked Seasoned Pollock Egg Roll, Spanish Rice, 2 Sides, Bread, Drinks & Dessert
Price: $10 Adults, $3 Children 4–10 (3 and younger free), $40 Family Rate
Christ the King Parish
Where: 5711 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: Lenten Fridays, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Price: $10 adults, $5 kids
Contact: (515) 285-2888
Holy Trinity Catholic Church & School
Where: 2926 Beaver Ave., Des Moines
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: Feb 24, March 3, and 31, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
What: Baked tilapia and baked beer-battered cod, cheesy potatoes, mac n cheese, vegetables, coleslaw, and dinner roll. The Holy Trinity youth group provides desserts for free-will offering to support youth group activities.
Price: $10 adults, $5 kids 5-11, kids under 5 free, $40 maximum per family.
Pre-order information on the website, or carry out with masks and social distancing.
Contact: (515) 255-3162
Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church
Where: 510 E. First St., Ankeny
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: March 3, 17, and 31, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Hand Battered Fried Pollock, Baked Cod, Corn, Green Beans, Baked Potato, Dinner Rolls, Grilled Cheese & Tater-tots. Takeout service will be available.
Price: Free-will offerings
Contact: (515) 964-3038
Sacred Heart Church
Where: 1627 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
When: Lenten Fridays thru March 31st, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Fried or baked cod, fish tacos, and various sides. All proceeds benefit youth programs.
Price: $13 adults 11+, $7 kids 3-10, kids under 3 eat Free, $42
family maximum.
Contact: (515) 225-6414 ext 320
St. Francis Catholic Church
Where: 7075 Ashworth Rd, West Des Moines
When: Lenten Fridays, 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
What: Fried Pollock, baked salmon, cheese pizza, baked potatoes, french fries, mac and cheese, coleslaw, breadsticks, and beverages. Scouts will host a dessert fundraiser, priced a la carte.
Price: $15 adults 13+, $5 kids 6-12, kids under 6 free
Contact: (515) 223-4577
Sts. John & Paul Catholic Church
Where: 1401 First Ave. S., Altoona
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: Lenten Fridays, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Fried fish, green beans, baked potato, and mac n cheese. Dessert is free with a donation to support parish youth groups.
Drive-thru and take-out are also available.
Price: $14 adults, $6 kids 6-12, kids under 5 free
Contact: (515) 967-3796
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Where: 3300 Easton Blvd, Des Moines
Who: St. Joseph’s Knights of Columbus Council #10980
When: Lenten Fridays, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Hand-prepared baked or fried fish, Mac and Cheese, Hush Puppies,
Green Beans. Kids menu: Mac and Cheese with slice of pizza.
Price: $13 adults, $5 kids, or $40 for the immediate family
Contact: 515-266-2226
St. Mary of Nazareth Church
Where: 4600 Meredith Drive, Des Moines
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: Fridays during Lent, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
What: baked or fried fish, mac & cheese, baked potato, mashed potato or french fries, green beans, corn, coleslaw, and a roll.
Price: $13 adults or $25 per couple, $7 kids 4-12; 3 and under free will donation
Contact: (515) 276-4042
St. Augustin’s Catholic Church
Where: 545 42nd St., Des Moines
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: March 3 & 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
What: Baked Tilapia, Salmon, and Cod. First come for best choice. Plus cheese quesadillas and grilled cheese sandwiches. Sides to include macaroni and cheese, almond lemon steamed green beans, and southwestern beans. Also a table with chips, salsa, and all the Tex Mex fixings to build your own tacos and nachos.
Price: $15 adults, $8 kids under 5-15, under 5, free. $50 max per family.
Contact: (515) 255-1175
St. Boniface Catholic Church
Where: 1200 Warrior Lane, Waukee
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: Lenten Fridays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Take out Fish Fry
Price: $12 adults, $7 kids 3-10, kids under 3 free, $45 immediate family maximum.
Contact: (515) 987-4597
St. Elizabeth Seton Church
Where: 2566 Scotch Ridge Road, Carlisle
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: Feb 24, March 10, and 24, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Baked and deep-fried fish fillets, coleslaw, a baked potato, and Mac n cheese. Pie will be available from the St. Elizabeth Seton Ladies Guild. Some of the proceeds will be donated to the Carlisle High School Dollars for Scholars scholarship program.
Price: Suggested donation $12
Contact: (515) 989-0659
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
Where: 210 Route 63 Hwy., Indianola
When: Lenten Fridays, 5:30 pm-7:00 pm
What: Fried fish, french fries, coleslaw, and a dinner roll.
Price: $12 adults, $5 kids
Contact: (515) 961-7499
St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church
Where: 1102 NW Weigel Dr, Ankeny, IA 50023
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: March 3,17, 31, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: Baked and fried fish, homemade potato chips, green beans, mac & cheese, cornbread, and ice cream with homemade caramel sauce
Price: Free-will donation
Contact: (515) 868-6214
St. Theresa Catholic
Where: 1230 Merle Hay Road
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: Lenten Fridays; 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
What: fried fish, baked fish, fish tacos, cheese pizza, French fries
Price: Free-will donation
Des Moines Restaurants with Lenten Fish Specials
Tupelo Honey
Where: 665 Grand Ave Suite 100, Des Moines
When: Lenten Fridays
What: Friday Fish Fry (while supplies last which can lead into the weekend) with Cod, fries, slaw, remoulade sauce, and a regular biscuit all during Lent. The price will be $24.50 with a $1 donation going to Hope Lutheran Church’s kitchen at Hope+Elim near Drake.
More info: Facebook
Culver’s
Check out their specialties for Lent including a Northwoods Walleye Sandwich, North Atlantic Cod Sandwich, and Butterfly Jumbo Shrimp.
More info: culvers.com
The Hall DSM
Where: 111 South 11th Street, Suite 200, West Des Moines
When: Lenten Fridays
What: Special on Fish and Chips and other fish as well
More info: Facebook
Barntown Brewing
Where: 9500 SE University Ave #1110, West Des Moines
When: Lenten Fridays
What: Fish and Chips, fish tacos, and other specials
More info: Facebook
Lachele’s Fine Foods
Where: 2716 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines
When: Lenten Fridays
What: Special fish sandwiches
More info: Facebook
What’s your favorite Fish Fry in Des Moines?
St Joseph’s is doing Fish Fries every Friday as well with drive thru and dine in available.
A full menu for the family in the school gym on Lenten Fridays, 5-7pm. Cost is $9 for adults; $7 for ages 6-12; free for kids under 6; or $40 for the immediate family.
Thanks! We will add this to the guide.
St. Bonafice in Waukee also has a nice one.
Every Friday during Lent from 5-7 PM in the parish hall.
Menu: Fried Cod, Fried Shrimp, Baked Tilapia, Cheese Pizza, Spaghetti, Breakfast Potatoes, Coleslaw
Price: $12 adults, $7 kids ages 3-10, $45 for immediate family.
Hi! St. Luke the Evangelist in Ankeny is doing a Fish Fry on April 8th only.
St Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church (Dine-in and Carry Out)
Where: 1102 NW Weigel Dr, Ankeny, IA 50023
Who: Knights of Columbus
When: April 8th, 4:30 to 7:00 pm
What: Baked and fried fish, homemade potato chips, green beans, mac & cheese, corn bread, and ice cream with homemade caramel sauce
Price: Free-will donation
Contact: (515) 868-6214
The Indianola Knights of Columbus will be hosting 6 Lenten Fish Fries at the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Hall starting on Friday, February 24 and ending on Friday, March 31. The serving hours are 5:30 to 7:00 PM each evening and we offer dine-in or take-out service. Our menu consists of: Alaskan Pollock, fried or baked, baked potato, French Fries, coleslaw, fresh baked dinner roll, grilled cheese sandwich, coffee & juice. Adults & take-outs/$13, children (6 to 12) $6, children 5 and under are free. Desserts can be obtained from a dessert table with a free-will donation. Our fish breading does not contain any wheat flour. The parish hall address is 210 So. Wesley St.
Update for St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Indianola
Hosts: Indianola Knights of Columbus
Dates: Feb 24 March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
Serving hours: 5:30 to 7:00 PM
Prices: Adults & Take-outs — $13 Children (6 to 12) — $6 Children 5 & under are free
Menu: Alaskan Pollock (Fried & Baked), French Fries, baked potato, coleslaw, grilled cheese, dinner roll, coffee & lemonade. Desserts can be purchased at the dessert table.