In Pennsylvania, Friday night has its own menu, and it usually starts with a big piece of fried fish. From Lake Erie towns to Pittsburgh river neighborhoods, pubs and taverns pack their dining rooms with families, coworkers, and regulars waiting for their weekly fish fix.
Some of these spots serve fish so large it hangs off the plate or swallows the bun whole. Here are seven places where the fish fry is generous, the setting is easygoing, and the Friday crowd shows up for good reason.
1. The Skunk and Goat Tavern, North East, PA
© The Skunk and Goat Tavern, North East, PA
A tavern with a funny name and a serious kitchen sits right on West Main Street in North East. The rustic brick and wood dining room fits a small-town wine country setting, yet the menu reaches well past simple bar food.
The Fish N’ Chips is the Friday draw. The fish arrives enormous, well seasoned, and beer battered, and it shares the table nicely with stuffed mushrooms, schnitzel, or loaded tater tots.
Friday evening is the busiest stretch of the week, so reservations are smart for dinner. The kitchen also turns out pierogies, homemade pickles, fish tacos, Beef on Weck, and French onion soup.
I like this stop for a date night that still feels relaxed. There is outdoor seating, live music, a kids’ menu, and usually plenty of parking nearby.
2. Big Jim’s in the Run, Pittsburgh, PA
© Big Jim’s in the Run, Pittsburgh, PA
Since 1977, Big Jim’s has been feeding Pittsburgh from a quiet corner of The Run on Saline Street. The building is no-frills, and nobody seems to mind.
Portion size is the reputation here. Plates come out gigantic, whether you order classic Pittsburgh fried fish, a hot roast beef sandwich, veal parmigiana over spaghetti, or a piled-high Italian hoagie.
Prices land around ten to twenty dollars a person, which makes the leftovers feel like a bonus. Fresh cut fries round things out.
Reservations are not accepted, and Friday afternoon into evening gets crowded. The kitchen keeps hours from 11 AM to 7:30 PM daily, so plan an earlier dinner.
3. McGarrey’s Oakwood, Erie, PA
© McGarrey’s Oakwood, Erie, PA
Lightly browned fish is a big deal to plenty of Erie families, and McGarrey’s Oakwood builds its Friday nights around it.
The fried haddock dinner, perch dinner, and baked haddock each come with a fresh side salad and a roll. Portions are hearty, and the beer battered fish sandwiches are another popular pick.
The casual bar and grill feels comfortable for families, with high chairs and a kids’ menu. Corned beef on rye, Reuben pizza, a jumbo pretzel, and street corn dip fill out the larger American menu.
Friday evenings are busy, but reservations are accepted. Curbside pickup and delivery help on nights when the dining room is packed.
4. Emil’s Lounge, Rankin, PA
© Emil’s Lounge, Rankin, PA
Timing matters at Emil’s. The Rankin lounge opens Tuesday through Friday only, from 10 AM to 7 PM, which makes Friday the main event.
Fried fish sandwiches are the reason people find their way to Hawkins Avenue. The fish is known across the Pittsburgh area for dwarfing its modest bun.
The room is laid-back with a true neighborhood feel. Steaks, seafood, prime rib, and a Reuben also appear on the menu, with prices around ten to twenty dollars.
Friday afternoon into evening is the peak, so arriving early helps. Free parking is usually easy to find.
5. Max’s Allegheny Tavern, Pittsburgh, PA
© Max’s Allegheny Tavern, Pittsburgh, PA
Antique booths and an old wooden bar give Max’s a historic look on Suismon Street in Pittsburgh’s North Side. It reads like a German tavern from another era.
Schnitzel and spaetzle get most of the attention, but the giant fish sandwiches earn this spot a Friday visit. Pair one with hot German potato salad or sweet and sour cabbage for a very Pittsburgh twist.
The cheese-filled Bavarian stuffed pretzels make a strong starter. Max’s Famous Reuben and Wiener schnitzel are there for the non-fish crowd.
The building has multiple rooms, and reservations are accepted. Street parking can be tricky, so give yourself extra time.
6. Cooper’s Seafood House, Scranton, PA
© Cooper’s Seafood House, Scranton, PA
Not many Pennsylvania restaurants are shaped like a pirate ship. Cooper’s on North Washington Avenue leans all the way into the theme, with a lighthouse bar, a tiki deck, and rooftop seating.
The fish and chips is a hearty portion and a mainstay during Lent. Friday evenings fill up fast.
Beyond the fryer, the menu covers Maryland crab bisque, a crab roll, fried calamari, a Brazilian lobster tail, and key lime pie. A full vegetarian menu is also available.
Kids get their own menu, and the kitschy decor gives them plenty to look at. Even the restrooms carry Beatles and Elvis themes.
7. Rum Runners, Erie, PA
© Rum Runners, Erie, PA
Lake views come free with dinner at Rum Runners on Dobbins Landing. The outdoor seating looks right over the water on Erie’s bayfront.
Perch is the star. Carol Ann’s Famous Perch Sandwich and the Lake Perch and Chips show off fresh Great Lakes fish, and the homemade tartar sauce earns its own fan club.
Greek fries, the Mammoth Pretzel, and Macho Nachos make good sharing plates. Live music adds to the casual vibe.
Reservations are not taken, and dogs are welcome inside and out. Late hours on Fridays make it easy to stretch the evening.
Dining and Cooking