Our Opinion: Food, folks & fun? Head to a fish fry

Half a dozen fish frys are listed on the News Tribune's online calendar for Friday, March 31, 2017.
Half a dozen fish frys are listed on the News Tribune's online calendar for Friday, March 31, 2017.

If you're really looking for a combination of food, folks and fun, head to one of Jefferson City's area fish frys.

Just like you don't have to be Catholic to eat fish on Fridays, you also won't have to sneak into a fish fry: Everyone's welcome.

While the longstanding tradition of fish frys, like the Lenten season, often is associated with Catholics, the 6-week period preceding Easter known as Lent is observed by most Protestants as well. And fish frys can be enjoyed by the whole community.

In a Sunday Style story, Ed Stroesser, a deacon at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Holts Summit, recalls going to fish frys back in the 1950s. St. Andrew features one of the more popular ones in the area, based on our previous, um, research.

When the News Tribune asked for opinions as to the best area fish fry last year, hundreds of people weighed in with dozens of choices. Some had the best fish, others had better sides. Some had lower prices, and others offered all you can eat.

Regardless of which one you choose, you'll be getting not only a tasty meal, you'll also, likely, be meeting new people. Fish frys are known as social events as much as food events, so you can keep your pulse on the community by engaging in lively conversation between bites.

Brent Cain, Fr. Helias Knights of Columbus Council 1054 grand knight, also participated in the tradition as a youth, and now upholds it by operating one of the larger local fish frys at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

"I've been going to Knights of Columbus fish frys as long as I can remember, and I'm 30 years old," said Cain, who enjoys the social atmosphere and tasty dishes.

"You've got a lot of people who are serving the community," he said. "Everybody seems happy, and it makes you feel good, too, actually being able to give money to an organization. But overall, I'd have to say my favorite is the fried fish. It Just tastes so good."

Half a dozen fish frys are listed on the News Tribune's online calendar for this Friday. Pick one and give it a try. You'll get a tasty meal and meet new people, while keeping money in the community.