In Indiana, Friday night has a menu all its own, and it usually starts with a plate of fried walleye and a scoop of cold coleslaw. Some of the best versions are not in fancy dining rooms but in small-town taverns, lakeside decks, and busy fish markets with paper menus.
This list covers six spots across the state, from Elkhart down to Clay County, where walleye and slaw are real menu regulars. Save it for your next Friday, or send it to the friend who always asks where to eat.
1. Chubby Trout, Elkhart, IN
Old barn decor and sushi on the same menu is not a combo most people expect in Elkhart. Chubby Trout pulls it off by keeping the focus on fish, from fried perch baskets to an Almond Crusted Walleye that earns its spot on this list.
The walleye comes out tender and well-prepared, often with coleslaw and sweet potato fries on the side. The slaw itself has real flavor, which matters when it shares a plate with a basket of fries.
Beyond the fryer, the menu stretches to Mango Salmon, Seared Ahi Tuna, a grouper sandwich, and Crab Pepper Bisque. Save room for the Tempura Cheesecake or carrot cake if you can.
Friday evening is the busiest stretch of the week, and a wait is common. The restaurant accepts reservations, so calling ahead to 574-264-5700 is a smart move.
Hours run 11 AM to 10 PM on Fridays, and the kids’ menu makes it easy for families.
2. Southfork Restaurant & Pub, Mulberry, IN
Mulberry has fewer than 1,500 residents, but its downtown pub feeds people like the whole county is coming. Three walleye fillets on one plate, plus coleslaw and mac and cheese, is the kind of order that explains why.
Southfork is best known for its breaded tenderloin, a true Indiana staple. Still, the fish side of the menu holds its own with catfish and bluegill fillets served in generous portions.
The onion rings are lightly battered and come with a dipping sauce in the style of a blooming onion. Steak and shrimp, smoked chops, and a pork burger round out the menu for anyone not in a fish mood.
Prices land around $10 to $20 per person. Friday hours run 11 AM to 9 PM, and parking is free and easy to find on Glick Street.
3. Chicken Inn, Shelbyville, IN
The name says chicken, but Friday regulars know better. Chicken Inn runs all-you-can-eat walleye on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, usually starting in the afternoon, so call ahead to confirm the start time.
The fish is freshly cooked without an oily finish. It comes with plenty of sides, including fried rolls with apple butter, a Shelbyville comfort pairing that deserves more fame.
Homemade Cole Slaw is listed right on the menu, along with Homer’s Homemade Onion Rings and peach cobbler. A Walleye Sandwich is also available if you want something lighter.
This is a locally owned, quiet spot with clean dining rooms and fast service. Reservations are not taken, and it is closed Mondays.
Friday hours run until 8:30 PM.
4. Big Willys Lakehouse, Brazil, IN
Not every fish fry comes with a lake view. Out in rural Clay County, Big Willys Lakehouse serves its meals on a deck overlooking water and woods, which makes a Friday dinner feel like a short getaway.
The beer battered walleye is a standout, and the walleye sandwich pairs nicely with fries and coleslaw. Bluegill and catfish also show up in big portions.
Wednesday brings all-you-can-eat fish, a regular habit for many nearby families. Starters like portabella fries, fried pickles, and fried mushrooms are good for sharing.
Plan your timing carefully. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday and opens at 4 PM on Fridays, staying open until 9 PM.
Dogs are allowed, and live music sometimes adds to the evening.
5. Santiago’s Seafood Market, Indianapolis, IN
Here is a seafood counter where the sides get as much care as the fish. At Santiago’s on Michigan Road, the coleslaw is creamy, the fries are crisp and seasoned, and the collard greens taste fresh.
The fried walleye is the reason it made this list. It is made to order, and it ranks among the best fish plates on the northwest side of Indianapolis.
The menu also covers seafood boils, gator bites, lobster rolls, and a Fish and Wings combo. Fried fish sandwiches are a strong value pick too.
Prices sit around $10 to $20 per person. Friday is open 10 AM to 9 PM, with the evening rush being the busiest time, so an early dinner helps.
6. Caplinger’s Fresh Catch, Indianapolis, IN
Light breading is the secret here. Caplinger’s seasons its walleye so the fish stays the star, and the pieces come out big.
This family-run fish market and cafe on Shadeland Avenue works as both a grocery stop and a dinner spot. You can grab fresh seafood to cook at home or order a plate ready to eat.
Coleslaw is a steady side, served with cod sandwiches, catfish dinners, and whole catfish. Fried okra is another favorite add-on.
Friday traffic starts building in the afternoon and runs into the evening. Hours are 10 AM to 9 PM on Fridays, and the shop is closed Sundays.
It makes a fitting finish for a list built around one simple Hoosier tradition: good walleye, cold slaw, and a Friday night with no plans to cook.
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