The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
7 community fish fry Fridays for Lent 2023 in Conn.
Lent is a precursor to Easter in Christianity. It begins on Ash Wednesday and runs six and a half weeks until Easter Sunday. It’s a time for fasting, and typically Catholics give up eating meat on Fridays during Lent in observation of the sacrifice Jesus went through during the crucifixion in the New Testament.
Enter the Friday fish fry. Many churches and community organizations have taken to hosting fish fries on Fridays during Lent. Parishioners and their guests can come together and eat fish instead of meat.
Here’s a list of a few community fish fries happening in Connecticut during Lent.
Our Lady of the Assumption Church — Fairfield
This Fairfield Church will hold four Lenten fish fry dinners, on Fridays, March 3, 10, 24 and 31. No walk-ins are allowed. Attendees must order online by noon on Thursday. Food options include a two-piece fish dinner with
coleslaw and fries, a family-sized 8-piece dinner with coleslaw and fries, side orders of macaroni and cheese, New England clam chowder and fries. There is also limited seating in the parish hall on a first come basis and people can bring their own beverages. Visit this form to register for time slots.
Saint Rose of Lima, Knights of Columbus — Newtown
Saint Rose of Lima will serve its Lenten fish fry dinners 5-8 p.m. Fridays through April 7 at St. Rose of Lima School, 40 Church Hill Road, Newtown. Dinners are available via online or curbside ordering only, and will be available in-person on the last weekend. Menu includes options such as baked fish, fried fish, French fries, eggplant rollatini, coleslaw and clam chowder. Cost is $12 for adults and $7 for children. Visit kofc185.org to pre-order.
St. Edmund’s Enders Island — Mystic
This Lenten dinner costs $20 and includes fried or grilled fish and chips, coleslaw, a drink and clam chowder. Mac and cheese is available for $5. All online pre-orders receive a ticket for a free dessert. Fish fry includes seatings at 5 and 6:30 p.m. every Friday through April 7 at Our Lady of the Assumption Chapel, Mystic.
Portuguese Holy Ghost Society — Stonington
This Stonington Lenten dinner menu includes fish and chips, scallop dinner, shrimp dinner, combo fish and scallop dinner, combo fish and shrimp dinner and clam chowder. Prices range $12-22. Dinner runs from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. every Friday through April 7 at 26 Main Street, Stonington. Call-in orders are accepted before 6 p.m.
Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock — New London
Lenten fish fry meals take place every Friday at Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock in New London. The restaurant will donate a portion of its proceeds to the following organizations: Safe Futures on March 3, Community Speaks Out on March 10, New London Police Department K-9 Unit on March 17, Waterford Youth and Family Services on March 24, Cactus Jack
Foundation on March 31 and Saints Country on April 7. Dinners will take place every Friday through April 7 at 80 Hamilton St., New London.
St. Joseph’s Church — Danbury
St. Joseph’s Church will host its Lenten Fish Fry from 5 to 7 p.m. on March 24. The event will have fried fish, French fries, cole slaw, mac and cheese, rolls, drinks and desserts. The cost is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and 5$ for kids under 13. The maximum family cost is $25.
St. George Knights of Columbus — Guilford
Dinners will be available to-go between 5 and 7 p.m. on March 3, 10, 24 and 31 at The East Creak Landing Banquet Facility. Parts of the proceeds will go towards local charities like the SARAH Foundation. Options include fried fish, baked fish, Caesar salad, mac and cheese, hot dogs, stuffed claims, French fries, clam chowder and brownies. Members of the St. George chapter of Knights of Columbus will be distributing dinners at 390 South Union St. in Guilford.