Fish fry dinners around the North Hills

Fish fry dinners, though mostly curbside or take-out, have returned for 2022.

The fish fries are popular during the Lenten period, a religious observation period that commonly requires Christians to abstain from meat on Fridays. Lent began on Ash Wednesday, March 2, and lasts until Good Friday, April 15.

Many parishes had offered in-person dining during pre-pandemic years, but switched to curbside or take-out ordering last year due to covid restrictions. This includes St. Aidan Parish in Wexford, which is repeating the practice for 2022. When planning began in January, Mary King, parish bookkeeper, said there were still too many unknowns with the pandemic to decide on returning to in-person dining.

“When planning began back in January, late December, there were still a lot of restrictions. We just decided to go with curbside only,” she said.

Though they’ve always done better financially with take-out sales, she said dining-in is preferred by many in the parish, such as families, or older patrons. And she said the parish hopes to go back to sit-down dining in the future.

For St. Aidan’s, proceeds are split between the parish and the parish school, Blessed Seelos Academy. She said last year was its record-breaking year in sales. She said the parish hired an officer from the Northern Regional Police Department to help with traffic this year.

Saints John and Paul Catholic Church in Franklin Park, though it has a Sewickley mailing address, is returning with dining-in and take-out this year.

Also, A.W Beattie Career Center, in Allison Park, which has an annual lunch fish fry, also features sit-down dining only at its student-run restaurant.

The Hampton Volunteer Fire Department developed a pretty efficient system for its fish fries, according to Heather Paxton, department secretary. She said signs will be placed on Duncan Avenue to direct drivers, and Hampton fire police volunteers will be there directing traffic. Drivers will be offered a menu, and an order taker will approach the vehicle, and take the customer’s order and payment, according to Paxton. The order will then be brought to the customer. She said the average wait time is about 15 minutes for the whole process.

“That seems to be pretty quick considering we serve approximately 150 customers in 2.5 hours,” she said.

“The members of the department continue to host the annual fish fry more for the community than for the financial return. We love serving and interacting with the community. The community asks for this event every year,” she said.

Here are details of some local fish fry events.

St. Aidan Parish

Where: Blessed Francis Seelos School at the St. Alphonsus campus, on 201 Church Road, Wexford, PA 15090.

When: Every Friday in Lent from March 4 to April 8, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Good Friday, April 15, from 3:30 to 7 p.m.

What: Entrees include fish dinner, fish sandwich or shrimp dinner with macaroni and cheese and coleslaw for $12.50.

Order: Call to order in advance at 412-585-3915 or 724-931-0596. Or order online at www.fish-fry.org. Orders can only be placed online after noon the day of fish fry. And orders can be picked up from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Orders can also be taken from the car.

Saints John and Paul Catholic Church

Where: 2586 Wexford Bayne Road, Sewickley, 15143.

When: Fridays, March 4 to April 8, from 11:30 a.m to 7:30 p.m.

What: $14 Jumbo Fried Fish Sandwich Platter, including french fries and coleslaw.

Order: Dining in or take-out only. No pre-order available. Visit for greatgrouping.org/fishfry.

Saints Martha and Mary Parish

Where: St. Catherine of Sweden on 2554 Wildwood Road in Allison Park, 15101.

When: Fridays, beginning March 4 to April 8, 4 to 7 p.m.

What: Dinners include fish, shrimp or macaroni cheese dinner. Pizza, tacos and clam chowder also on menu. Dessert is included with dinner. See menu online for details and prices at www.stcatherineofsweden.org.

Order: Take-out from Farmer Hall or order curbside pick-up. All curbside pick-up orders must be placed in advance through online or phone ordering. When ordering, specify preferred pick-up method and allow 20 minutes for order. Online orders via website can be placed beginning Wednesdays up until 5:30 pm on Fridays. Phone orders can be made anytime Monday through Thursday from 9 to 4 p.m. and on Fridays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 412-486-6001.

Hampton Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 1

Where: 2536 Duncan Ave., Allison Park, 15101.

When: Every Friday in March, and April 1 and 8, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. On April 15, noon to 7 p.m.

What: Orders are takeout only. Order and pay from the car. No preorder. Pierogies are on the menu this year. Dinners include two sides. Prices vary.

Order: Visit Hampton Township VFD Facebook page for a menu.

A.W. Beattie Career Center

Where: 9600 Babcock Blvd., Allison Park, 15101.

When: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 4, 11, and 18 and April 1 and 8. Take out or dine-in. No pre-ordering is available. Proceeds support the FCCLA Vocational Student Organization.

What: Entrees available with two sides, cole slaw, dessert and drink. Or order items a la carte. Prices vary.

Order: Full menu visit www.beattietech.com. Pre-orders not available.