Giving up meat during Lent doesn’t have to mean giving up on local restaurants.
For those choosing to observe the season of Lent, meat is traditionally off the menu on Fridays. Luckily, several of Hillsdale’s favorite dining spots offer special options for Lent by serving fish on Fridays, as well as some vegetarian options.
If you’re craving macaroni and cheese from Saucy Dogs Barbeque, but can’t have the barbeque, visit Saucy Dogs on Friday for a discount on their Fish Fry Dinner. According to Manager Jenny Mayer, customers can receive $2 off the fried Alaskan cod meal, which is served with two sides and cornbread.
Though it’s known for its burgers, Here’s to You Pub & Grub sells fish sandwiches on every Friday during Lent.
“This week it was an ahi tuna sandwich,” said Kevin Conant, the chef and owner. “We also do parmesan cod. They’re all sandwich-based.”
For a more formal dining option, consider Olivia’s Chop House catch of the day. John Smith, a manager at Olivia’s, said that while Olivia’s does not add to their menu during Lent, they always offer a fish option from Thursday through Saturday.
The Hunt Club also offers all-you-can-eat fish throughout the day on Fridays. Server Sam Finch said that the restaurant serves bluegill, cod, salmon, and shrimp throughout the week.
Ramona Mackler, a server and manager at Johnny T’s Bistro, said that Johnny T’s offers a fresh catch of the day on Fridays and weekends throughout the year, including a rainbow trout this weekend. She also said the restaurant serves vegetarian items, as well as an all-you-can-eat fish fry on Wednesdays.
“We do a lot of non-alcoholic drinks, too, because some people decide to give up alcohol, and I personally am Catholic,” Meckler said.
She recommended their blackberry lemonade, hot chocolate, and virgin piña colada.