Oldie, but Goodie

After weeks of unpredictable twists and turns, we're sticking with the sure thing this week -- St. Gabriel the Archangel in South St. Louis. We've visited St Gabe's a couple times throughout the years and it's one of my all-time favorites. Not only because it's within walking distance of my house, or that it offers Ted Drewes for dessert, but the fry is always stocked with plenty of hot food and cold beer. Plus, they broadcast the basketball games during the NCAA tournament - can't beat that.

So join us this week if you're game for good company, decent food and cold beer on Friday.

St. Gabriel the Archangel
4711 Tamm Ave
St. Louis, MO 63109
Menu

St. John Serbian Orthodox: Remember to BYOB

It was a great showing and good overall experience at St. John Serbian Orthodox in Glendale last week. Lines were relatively short, free cocktail shrimp was handed out at check-out and there was plenty of seating available. The diverse menu alone is enough reason to venture out to the tiny church on the quiet residential street. The parish offers traditional fish fry fare as well as more ethnic dishes, such as baked fish with Mediterranean sauce, stewed tomatoes and baked spinach.

Both the baked and fried fish received positive reviews, and the variety of side choices offered something for everyone. The desserts, while sold separately, were delicious and included homemade chocolate cake, cheesecake and baklava.

Really the only downside was what most would consider a biggie - no beer. Apparently I have bad karma this season because I'm two for two on no booze. Next time I'll learn from the middle-aged women sitting next to us and BYOB.

Overall Rating: 8 out of 10 fish patties

Mystery Dinner Night

Apologize for the delay this week. Several of my clients are currently launching campaigns, so my life has literally gone to the dogs.

This week I'm going out on a limb. Over the years I've heard rumblings about the fry at St. John Serbian Orthodox in Glendale, so I've decided to put it to the test tomorrow night. However this fry holds a little mystery. While I've heard it boasts a unique menu, short lines and Joe Holleman at the Post-Dispatch gave it a thumbs up, the parish doesn't have a website, no menu is posted online and I haven't been able to reach the directory by phone. So while I'm going in optimistic, I'm not completely positive that there even is a fry at St. John's tomorrow night.

So here's the plan: we'll head to St. John's around 6:30 p.m. tomorrow night. In the off chance there is no fry at St. John's, we'll drive around the corner to Mary Queen of Peace which hosts a fry until 7:30 p.m.

Below are the addresses and directions. Hope to see you there!

Option 1: St. John Serbian Orthodox
1372 Beverly Ave
Glendale, MO 63122

Option 2: Mary Queen of Peace
680 West Lockwood Ave
Webster Groves, MO 63119

Directions: St. John Serbian Orthodox - Mary Queen of Peace
1. Head east on Beverly Ave towards Berry Rd
2. Turn right on N Berry Rd
3. Turn left on W Lockwood Ave

Assumption: A Week Late and A Beer Short

Hey team, I'm going to keep this review short and sweet given it's a week late and I'm in a time crunch.

A skeleton crew checked out Assumption's fish fry in South County last week and the reviews were overwhelmingly mediocre. While I appreciated the large parking lot and helpful directional signage, future diners should be prepared to wait. Just around the time the line started to dwindle, the food followed in suit. By the time we reached the food line the coveted Bartolino's pasta was out and additional sides were running low. After circling he gym a few times for a table, we were able to find a few seats near each other. By the time I was able to settle in and make a beer run tea and water were the only remaining options. While running low on sides is somewhat expected, running out of beer early on in the night can be the kiss of death.

Overall, the fish was decent and the Bartolino's pasta I scored was great. However, the long lines, lack of seats and beer shortage put a little damper on the night.

REMINDER: This year I'm unusually short on time and also traveling quite a bit during the month of March. If you would be so kind to submit your own personal fish fry reviews (either on the Facebook page or to kimgoedeker@gmail.com) I would be more than happy to post on he blog.

Overall Rating: 6 out of 10 fish patties

Put Another Shrimp on the Barbie

As I sit and reflect on this Ash Wednesday I remember the importance of the Lenten season when we commemorate Jesus’ death and resurrection, and oh yeah, spend our Friday evenings feasting on fried fish and cheap beer.

That’s right; I’m back to touring the fry circuit and (hopefully) entertaining you with mediocre critique and fried fish alliteration. I often times get asked “What are you giving up this Lent?” Well, after my failed attempt at chocolate last year, I’ve come to terms with the idea that giving up my Friday nights and loads of free time over the next 40 days should suffice.

I’m changing up the blog a bit this season and welcoming guest reviews. I just can’t make it to every fry in every neighborhood, so I’m asking readers to e-mail me or post to my Facebook wall reviews of their fry adventures. The hope is for this blog to someday become a vast resource for fish fry enthusiasts far and wide (St. Louis city and county). This new lackey approach has nothing to do with the fact that I’m carrying a heavy workload at the office these days, while shopping for a house and attempting to plan a wedding.

On to the first order of business: we’re kicking off the 2012 season with a fry that I’ve been meaning to try for years – Assumption in South County. The menu boasts fried and baked options as well as upgraded sides like Bartolino’s pasta and fruit salad.

Hope to see you there around 6:30!

Assumption Catholic Church
4725 Mattis Road
St. Louis, Mo 63128
http://webgui.assumptionstl.org/