Fish Fry!

Most Fridays during Lent, we observe the no meat rule on accident – because we’re big pasta and salad people over meat and potatoes. But, Loran being born in Milwaukee is a big fan of a fish fry – especially one that is preceded with the words “All You Can Eat”.

Knowing full well that this is the season of the fish fry and the best place to find one is in a church basement, he did a little searching to find the best fish fry in the Twin Cities. That is how we found ourselves with the masses at St. Albert the Great Church in Minneapolis. Their fish fry has been named one of the best by City Pages, KARE 11 and CBS. They aren’t fooling around here. Jesus fed 5,000, St. Albert’s clocks in at a little over 1000 each night.

We lucked out and found parking right by the church and didn’t have to utilize the overflow lot at a nearby elementary school, with complimentary shuttle service. Then we were handed a card. Our number started at 558. When we first sat down in the church pews, with the other number holders to listen to our pre-dinner entertainment of live piano, they were just seating those with numbers in the mid 400s. Some people gave up and turned in their numbers, but we pressed on. After waiting a half hour or so, our group was called (575 and below) and off we went, down to the basement where we waited in a line looping the crowded dining room. But the line kept moving and there was great people watching and a giant balloon that looked like “Nemo” that kept Lillian enthralled. Once we made it to the food lines, the servers were eager to help us fill our plates and we found a table easily.

I’m not going to lie, I’m not a fish person. But, I was at the best fish fry in the Twin Cities, surrounded by hundreds of people. Some of which had also driven a distance to experience the festivities. While they also served spaghetti, I went all in with the fried fish. And, it was good. So good, I snatched a piece of off Lillian’s plate. The girls also enjoyed their food and sat well throughout our meal. Ella did spill her milk once, but a helper was there in an instant to help mop up the mess. We purchased some raffle tickets, in the spirit of things. With Father Gillespie working the crowd on the mic, it was hard not to get caught up in the spirit of raffle tickets, fish and BINGO! After dinner, we helped ourselves to the all-you-can-eat dessert table. Any time you’re treated to homemade parishioner desserts in a church basement – it’s going to be good. And while Loran and I enjoyed the more traditional homemade dessert fare: rice krispie bars, carrot cake, brownies, and donuts – the girls thought they’d really struck gold when they got a baggie of goldfish crackers  (also up for grabs on the dessert table).

After dinner, we went back upstairs to the church’s school gymnasium for some good old church Bingo! Lily put Bingo markers on the cover of a book we’d brought. Ella was in charge of handing me markers and Loran and I manned our three cards. Sadly, we didn’t win. Despite the fact that Ella was constantly yelling out BINGO! She was really in the spirit of Bingo, with no concept of the actual rules. Every time she’d yell it, I’d clamp my hand over her mouth, which she thought was hilarious which would then lead to big belly laughs!

We left with full bellies and big smiles. A fun night for everyone, the lines and waiting were worth it!