It doesn’t have to be Lent for Chicagoans to enjoy fish and chips. There are plenty of variations of the tried and true fish fry, and midwesterners excel at producing perfectly golden filets with gourmet sauces — or tartar if you’re bound by tradition. A few of these pubs and restaurants have special seasonal options, but most allow fish and chips to remain on their menus year-round. So grab a bottle of malt vinegar and go crazy. These are Eater Chicago’s favorite plates of fish and chips.
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Where to Eat Fish and Chips in Chicago
It doesn’t have to be Lent to enjoy crispy fish and fries

Lady Gregory's Irish Bar & Restaurant
Lady Gregory’s in Andersonville serves up a fine fish and chips. The haddock is a change from the usual perch, cod, and whiting, and a gluten-free variation is available. Order online here.
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The Atlantic Bar & Grill
Fans of football (that is, what Americans call soccer) head to this Lincoln Square Irish pub to enjoy a pint and some fish and chips while catching a match. Call to order takeout.
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Galvin's Public House
Over in Jefferson Park, Galvin’s is the place to visit for fried fish. The kitchen serves beer-battered Atlantic cod, and it’s the $14 house special on Fridays.
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Hagen's Fish Market
Family owned since 1966, Hagen's sells deep-fried seafood by the pound (weighed pre-frying). Choose between lake perch and smelt for fish and fries and tater tots for the chips. The store is takeout-only, but there are tables and chairs outside in better weather.
The Globe Pub
The favorite pub of football fans serves a beer-battered cod that satisfies all comers. Online ordering is available here.
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Basant Modern Indian Restaurant
Basant does fish and chips Indian style, covering its cod in a spice rub before frying and then serving it up with a side of spicy fries. Order online here.
BIG & little's Restaurant
At BIG & little’s three fast-casual locations in River North, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park, diners can order a sizable piece of beer-battered cod. The batter-to-fish ratio is perfect and the simple seasoning is not too zesty. Carryout and delivery ordering is available here.
Duke Of Perth
One of Chicago’s most popular fish fries is at Duke of Perth, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays when the beer-battered cod is all-you-can-eat (dine-in only). Call for takeout orders.
Owen & Engine
The pandemic forced the owners of Owen & Engine to close while making sense of the new world. Fortunately for Chicago diners, the staff didn’t quit for this restaurant that serves upscale British pub food with farm-to-table sourcing. The fish and chips is back; battered haddock served with a super-charged malt vinegar aioli.
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Fish Bar Old Town
Fish Bar, which was founded by DMK, has opened a second location on Wells Street in Old Town with a new franchisee. The restaurant offers a fish and chips set with beer-battered cod and slaw.
Tuman's Tap and Grill
In recent years, Tuman’s, the popular dive bar, has added more craft beer to its taps. This bar serves underrated food. For Lent, they’ve added fish and chips for every Friday through April 7. It’s beer-battered cod with hand-cut fries.
River Roast
River Roast fans know that this downtown restaurant goes big, and for Lent Fridays, they’re offering a whole-fried dorade with malted-vinegar fries for $45.
The Gage
The paper cone presentation does not affect the taste of the Gage's fish and chips, but it's a fun homage to the British tradition of serving the dish in newspaper. The fish varies from day to day, but the kitchen always uses Irish super stout Guinness in the batter. Order online here.
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Pleasant House Pub
Pleasant House continued its Friday-only fish fry after relocating to Pilsen in 2016. Staff use Lake Superior whitefish and beer in the batter. An underrated aspect of the restaurant is its sauces: the lemon-caper tartar sauce is a terrific complement to the fish. Carryout and delivery orders can be placed here.
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Troha's Chicken & Shrimp House
Open since 1917, this Little Village institution specializes in fried foods. The menu caters to different tastes by offering four types of fish: Cod, perch, and smelt, plus a Lenten special on whiting, two pounds for $23. Order here for carryout.
Honey 1 BBQ
The folks at Honey 1 BBQ in Bronzeville put a Southern spin on fried fish by using cornbread batter and dousing it with hot sauce (if desired).
Surf's Up South Shore
Surf’s Up specialty is fried lobster and Hennessy sauced chicken wings, but there’s plenty of fish variety: fried perch, catfish, and whiting, all with cornbread coating.
Kingfish Seafood
Let's show some love to the bottom-dwelling catfish, which Chicagoans and others in much of the landlocked Midwest have come to respect. Kingfish, in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood, offers a golden-brown version, along with perch, whitefish, and more.
Calumet Fisheries
Though it’s best known for smoked seafood, this little South Side shack balances its menu with wonderfully fried fish and shrimp coated in a family recipe batter. The James Beard Foundation deemed the business an American Classic in 2010.
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Horse Thief Hollow
Horse Thief Hollow is one of Chicago’s best brewpubs, and every Friday during Lent, it serves fried fish two ways: with parsnip puree and shaved fennel salad or the classic preparation with fries, both equally satisfying with the cold adult beverages. If only someone could find one here...
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