It's fish fry season – here are 16 Twin Cities options

Every day (except Monday, when the restaurant is closed) is fish fry day at this convivial northeast Minneapolis gem. But no one does the fish (Alaskan cod) and (hand-cut) chips thing better. The sometimes-challenging mix of cramped setting and first-come-first-served policy often translates into a wait for a seat. But it's worth it. Fish and chips are $13.50, or $10.50 for fish only.

302 13th Av. NE., Mpls., 612-676-1300, theanchorfishandchips.com

Starting Feb. 28, this cozy Lowertown hangout is offering a deal every Friday (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.) during Lent: a hefty serving of fried Atlantic cod, plus coleslaw and the kitchen's skin-on fries, for $12.95. Drop by in the evening for live music.

308 E. Prince St., St. Paul, 651-228-9274,

blackdogstpaul.com

Chef Marshall Paulsen applies his farm-to-table practices to his year-round Friday fish fry (5 to 9 p.m.), serving sustainably caught walleye from the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians in Red Lake, Minn. The walleye's batter coating is gluten-free, the fries are cut from organic potatoes, coleslaw pops with crisp seasonal veggies and the tartar sauce is made with crunchy housemade pickles. Price is $20 for a two-piece plate, $24 for three pieces. The bar pours $4 beers from a pair of St. Paul breweries: a gluten-free American pale ale from Burning Bros., or a featured tap from Urban Growler.

3311 E. 25th St., Mpls., 612-722-4474, birchwoodcafe.com

3448 42nd Av. S., Mpls., 612-315-2470 and

1514 Como Av. SE., Mpls., 612-367-4964, thebdp.com

Every Friday starting at 5 p.m., this great-looking restaurant — overlooking a golf course and operated by the D'Amico family of dining establishments — gets into the fish fry act, with a serving of beer-battered Alaskan cod, fries, coleslaw and tartar sauce. Cost is $16 ($12 for ages 12 and under) and reservations are accepted.

8700 Edinbrook Crossing, Brooklyn Park, 763-315-8535, brooklynedinburgh.com

The Bavarian beer-hall-like dining room — a downtown Minneapolis treasure — goes fish fry every Friday, year-round, serving from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The all-you-can-eat format ($14.95) includes beer-battered (Gluek's lager, of course) and fried cod, fries, hush puppies, coleslaw and a caper-and-dill tartar sauce.

Every Friday, year-round, this popular Mac-Groveland hangout embraces the all-you-can-eat fish fry ($12.50) routine, featuring beer-battered swai (a freshwater-farmed, catfish-like variety), crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw and plenty of malt vinegar.

1834 St. Clair Av., St. Paul, 651-699-5058, grovelandtap.com

Every Friday at this fun-loving Irish dive bar, the $12 spotlight is on three pieces of beer-battered cod, served with steak fries and tartar sauce.

1013 Front Av., St. Paul, 651-488-8245, halftimerec.com

This popular, bargain-friendly East Sider offers a daily fish fry special that starts on Ash Wednesday and runs daily (starting at 11 a.m.) through Lent. Three pieces of beer-battered cod are $12.99, four for $14.99 and all-you-can-eat is $16.99, and all three options include soup or salad, choice of potato (fries, mashed, baked, au gratins), a vegetable and a popover. Cash or check only.

Every Friday (3 to 10 p.m.), the titanic East Metro outlet of this Iowa-based outfit serves an all-you-can-eat spread ($14.99) that consists of fried or broiled cod with a choice of a side dish (fries, sweet potato fries, mashed potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, a daily vegetable medley). Reservations accepted.

8515 Hudson Blvd. N., Lake Elmo, 651-735-7436, machineshed.com

Fish fry, from a James Beard award-winning chef? Believe it: Tim McKee is turning his considerable talents to beer-battered fish ("Last year it was cod, but we may do walleye this time, I haven't decided that yet," he said) and English-style fries with malt vinegar. The style? Single serving. "Who could eat more than one portion of fried fish?" he said with a laugh. The price is to be determined, and look for it to run Friday evenings starting March 6 and running through Lent.

289 E. 5th St., St. Paul, 651-202-3409, octostp.com

Every Friday, the menu's single-serving fish-and-chips plate drops from $15.95 to $13.95. It's walleye, done up in a batter powered by Alaskan Brewing Company's amber ale, and it's paired with well-seasoned, thick-cut steak fries and tartar sauce.

Fridays during Lent — plus the last Friday of every month, year-round — this friendly sports bar offers all-you-can-eat haddock (beer-battered and deep-fried, of course), along with single-serving sides of crinkle-cut fries and coleslaw. Cost is $14.95 and it's available from 5 to 10 p.m.

7721 W. 147th St., Apple Valley, 952-431-7777, rascalsapplevalleymn.com

Owner Kim Bartmann offers all kinds of variety at her year-round Friday fish fry (5 to 10 p.m.). The basket option — which includes potato chips, coleslaw and a sweet onion-infused tartar sauce — is a choice between beer-battered and fried cod, walleye or perch. Prices swing from $12 to $14 for a single serving, $17 to $19 for a double. The kitchen also offers fried calamari ($12), fried shrimp ($14) and the Twin Cities' best smelt fries ($9), which are served with an excellent smoked tomato ketchup.

509 1st Av. NE., Mpls., 612-767-7766, redstagsupperclub.com

On Fridays (after 5 p.m.) during Lent (starting on Feb. 28), this charming storefront setup turns out a single-serving fish fry ($15) of beer-battered cod, Old Bay-seasoned fries, cornbread, housemade pickles and tartar sauce. "It's a large portion, you can probably share it," said owner Tom Grittner. "We've got some great appetizers — Kung Pao cauliflower, Brussels sprouts — that will go really well with it."

Every Friday, the taproom at Minnesota's first women-owned microbrewery pays tribute to the beloved Wisconsin institution that is the fish fry. The fish is breaded lake perch, and it's served with fries, a creamy coleslaw, tartar sauce and pumpernickel rye bread. Although it's not an all-you-can-eat situation, the $18 portion is beyond generous, and it's served from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., or until supplies last. Brewer/co-owner Deb Loch suggests pairing the fish with her flagship Cowbell Cream Ale (the brewery's so-called "lawn mower beer") or Kentucky Uncommon, her twist on the bourbon formula in a brewery setting. Also: Consider making a habit of the $13 joy that is the taproom's Turkey Pot Pie Thursday.

2325 Endicott St., St. Paul, 651-340-5793, urbangrowlerbrewing.com

Rick Nelson • @RickNelsonStrib