In Western New York, Friday night has its own menu. The fish fry here is a local ritual, with big battered fillets, fries, coleslaw, and often a scoop of macaroni or potato salad on the side.
Some spots sit by Lake Erie, some are old neighborhood taverns, and one lives in a Victorian-era building. If you are planning a Friday road trip, these seven plates give you a real reason to fill up the tank.
1. Gene McCarthy’s Old First Ward Brewing Company, Buffalo, NY
Most fish fry plates in Buffalo come with a side or two. At Gene McCarthy’s, the plate shows up with macaroni salad, potato salad, coleslaw, and fries, all tasting homemade.
That full lineup is a big part of why the place keeps coming up in Buffalo food circles when the question is where to find the best fish fry. The pub sits at 73 Hamburg St in the Old First Ward and brews its own ales on site.
The rest of the menu leans proudly local, with beef on weck, hot Buffalo wings, and French onion soup. Friday evening is the busiest stretch of the week, so plan a little extra time.
Free lot and street parking help when the crowd builds. Hours run 11 AM to midnight on Fridays, and the pub also hosts trivia nights, live music, and a beer garden on other nights.
2. Wiechec’s Lounge, Buffalo, NY
When a restaurant prints “Our Famous Fish Fry” right on the menu, it is setting the bar high. Wiechec’s Lounge on Clinton Street backs that up with a beer battered fish fry that draws a steady Friday crowd.
The place is informal and lively, the kind of neighborhood lounge where solo diners and groups both settle in easily. Macaroni salad and pierogi sit alongside the fish, which gives the meal a nice Buffalo-Polish touch.
Expect to spend around $20 to $30 per person. Reservations are not accepted, and the busiest window runs from Friday afternoon into the evening.
Parking can be a little tricky, so arriving early helps. Wiechec’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 11 PM, and takeout is available if you would rather eat at home.
3. Pendleton Creek Pub, North Tonawanda, NY
Golf course views and a Friday fish fry make an unusual pair. Pendleton Creek Pub on Tonawanda Creek Road pulls it off with a stone-accented dining room, high ceilings, and a patio open to the public.
The beer battered fish is the star on Fridays. The kitchen also turns out house made pasta, steaks, chops, fresh fish, and seafood risotto, so not everyone at the table has to order the same thing.
Families get a kids’ menu and high chairs. Reservations are accepted, which helps on Friday evening, the busiest time of the week.
The pub stays open until 11 PM on Fridays and parking is usually easy. I would save this one for a night when the group wants a little more variety than a classic tavern menu.
4. Winfield Grill, Rochester, NY
Rochester gets a seat at this Buffalo-style table, and Winfield Grill has earned it since 1933. The neighborhood fixture on Winton Road North serves its fish fry on both Wednesdays and Fridays.
Friday clam chowder pairs naturally with the thick battered fish dinner. Portions are generous, and the dining room is bright, with brick accents, plenty of windows, and a cozy bar.
The rest of the menu is wide, with buffalo bites, calamari, wings, and the Winfield burger. Prime rib takes the spotlight on Saturdays.
Reservations are accepted and parking is usually plentiful. Friday hours stretch to 1 AM, which makes it a solid late option after a long drive.
5. Hoak’s Lakeshore Restaurant, Hamburg, NY
Few fish fry spots come with a Great Lake out back. Hoak’s sits right on Lake Shore Road in Hamburg, overlooking Lake Erie with sunset and Buffalo skyline views from its patio.
The fish fry here is gigantic, flaky, and crispy, served with fries and coleslaw. Fried lake perch is also on the menu, along with broiled shrimp and peel and eat shrimp for anyone in a seafood mood.
The longtime restaurant has a casual, historic character and welcomes families with a kids’ menu. Prices land around $20 to $30 per person.
Hoak’s is open daily from 11:30 AM to 9 PM. Friday afternoon into evening gets busy, so a reservation is a smart move if you want that lakeside table.
6. Apple Granny, Lewiston, NY
Fish fry and homemade pie on the same Friday night is a strong combination. Apple Granny on Center Street in Lewiston serves both inside a historic Victorian-era setting.
The beer battered fish is thin and crispy, and the servings are generous. Potato skins and clam chowder make easy add-ons.
Value is a big part of the appeal, with prices around $10 to $20 per person. That is one of the friendliest price points on this list.
The homey dining room is casual and on the quieter side. Friday hours run 11 AM to 9 PM, and reservations are accepted.
Lewiston’s village center makes a pleasant stop near the Niagara River. Just leave room for that pie.
7. Joey’s Place, Tonawanda, NY
Some fans call it the best fish fry around Buffalo, which is a bold title in this part of the state. Joey’s Place on Niagara Street in Tonawanda serves generous portions of nice, crispy fish with tasty fries.
Homemade comfort dishes fill out the menu, including lasagna, pot roast, and turkey dinners. Beef on weck, French onion soup, chili, and fish sandwiches round things out.
Prices are in line with most area restaurants, around $20 to $30 per person. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, with a kids’ menu and high chairs.
Joey’s is open seven days a week, with Friday hours from 11 AM to 9 PM. Reservations are accepted, and parking is usually easy to find.
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