I remember as a child going to our church basement for spaghetti dinners, pancake suppers, and oh, yes, fish frys. Now, living in Bay View, we are pleasantly close to nearby St. Augustine's where we can join our neighbors for a fish fry every third Friday of the month in the basement of the church. Fish frys in church basements have a different type of laid-back social feel, with young and old alike sharing in the fishes, and while many of our regular restaurants have wonderful fish frys, too, it is sometimes a welcome and fun change to check out the church varieties. Where to go in Milwaukee area:

North
Our Lady of Good Hope, 7140 N 41st St., (414) 352-8154
4:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays (March 9, April 6, May 11)
Baked and fried fish with sides (adults $7.50, children $4.50). Dine in or carry out.

South
St. Augustine of Hippo Parish, 2530 S. Howell Ave., (414) 481-3242
4 p.m. until the last fish is gone! Starting April 6 (Good Friday) and continuing every third Friday of the month.
Baked and fried fish (small $4.50, regular $8) fried shrimp (small $7, regular $9.50) includes potato, vegetable, cole slaw, rye bread and butter, dessert, coffee, tea, or milk. Potato pancakes, beer, soda, and pulltabs also available for sale. Dine in or carry out.

East
SS. Peter and Paul Parish, 2480 N. Cramer St., (414) 962-2443
4 p.m. Fridays during Lent.
Baked or fried fish, potato, cole slaw, applesauce, bread and butter, dessert, coffee and milk (adults $8, seniors/carry out $7, children $4). Beer, wine, soda, and pull tabs also available for sale. Dine in or carry out.

West
St. Joseph's Congregation School Hall, 12130 W. Center St., Wauwatosa, (414) 771-4626
4:30-7 p.m. Sundays during Lent
Fried or baked Icelandic cod, French fries, rye bread, cole slaw or applesauce, coffee or milk (adults $8.50, seniors $7, carry outs $7.25, children (5-11) $4, children under 5 free.) Beer, soda, and dessert also available for sale. Dine in or carry out.