Oshkosh Readers Reveal Favorite Friday Fish Fry Spots

From longtime lakeside spots to cozy neighborhood taverns, these Oshkosh fish fries are reader favorites.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Oshkosh readers shared their top picks for the best Friday fish fry in the area, with Wendt's on the Lake earning the most votes. Other reader favorites include Jeff's On Rugby, The Hangar Bar & Grill, South Side Ice Yacht Club, The Roxy Supper Club, Mike's Place, and Parnell's Place.

Why it matters

Fish fries have long been a beloved Wisconsin tradition, especially during the Lenten season. These reader-recommended spots showcase the diverse array of local establishments keeping the fish fry culture alive in the Oshkosh community.

The details

Wendt's on the Lake, a 64-year-old family-owned restaurant, was the top vote-getter, known for its lake perch, battered lobster bites, and other seafood options. Other popular spots include Jeff's On Rugby for beer-battered cod and perch, The Hangar Bar & Grill for its blend of tradition and variety, and South Side Ice Yacht Club for classic fried perch, haddock, and more. The Roxy Supper Club, Mike's Place, and Parnell's Place also earned high praise from readers for their fish fry menus.

  • Lent runs from February 18 to April 2, 2026.

The players

Wendt's on the Lake

A 64-year-old family-owned restaurant in Van Dyne, Wisconsin, known for its lake perch, battered lobster bites, and other seafood options.

Jeff's On Rugby

A restaurant in Oshkosh that offers a Friday fish fry featuring beer-battered cod, baked cod, perch, and occasional walleye specials.

The Hangar Bar & Grill

An Oshkosh restaurant located next to Wittman Regional Airport, known for its generous portions, casual tavern atmosphere, and a patio where diners can watch planes come and go while enjoying a Wisconsin fish fry.

South Side Ice Yacht Club

An Oshkosh establishment that offers a classic Wisconsin fish fry with a range of seafood options, including fried perch, haddock, and cod.

The Roxy Supper Club

An Oshkosh supper club that features a selection of classic seafood options for its fish fry, including perch, haddock, shrimp, salmon, and walleye.

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What they’re saying

“Wendt's on the Lake offers a variety of fish fry options, served daily. Wendt's is famous for its lake perch, which is offered in 5-, 10- or 15-ounce dinners, as well as in combination platters.”

— Anna Huck, Office Manager, Wendt's on the Lake (thenorthwestern.com)

“I personally like The Hangar Bar and Grill. Best part — you can call ahead and get pickup. I have heard some people have said Mineshaft. The worst part is having to make reservations. Some places at 4:30 have 1-2 hour waiting with NO reservations. Worst part is when people are done eating and they sit at the table and just talk. Be courteous and get up, even if to go to the bar area, so others can sit down and eat.”

— Janet Korth (thenorthwestern.com)

“The best Friday fish fry we go to is at the Roxy Supper Club. Perch is what we order. And usually the luncheon plate comes with soup or salad, three lightly done butterflies and our choice of potatoes. That is a lot to eat! And the perch are very good with their homemade tartar sauce. Their fish choices are also offered for dinner but with larger quantities. And to change it up, try the salmon with dill sauce and vegetables as a choice as well. The salmon taste is out of this world!”

— David Traugott (thenorthwestern.com)

“No question about the BEST FISH FRY in Oshkosh is PARNELL'S.”

— Kathy Daniels (thenorthwestern.com)

“We do our best to get the food out fast. Sometimes the wait on a Friday can be longer than an hour.”

— Clark R. Oilschlager, of Deb's Spare Time (thenorthwestern.com)

The takeaway

The enduring popularity of Friday fish fries in Oshkosh reflects the deep-rooted cultural significance of this Wisconsin tradition. From longtime lakeside establishments to cozy neighborhood taverns, these reader-favorite spots showcase the diverse array of local businesses keeping the fish fry culture alive and thriving in the community.