Time once again, folks, for my annual Lenten Fish Fry report covering both restaurants and church/charitable events. You may disagree, but remember, these are my favorites. I'm picky when it comes to fish. I like mine moist, not greasy, light not heavily coated and hot, not tepid or cold. These are six of the many restaurants my wife and I have frequented over the past year and because of their quality, we continue to do so.
Dietz's Restaurant, 401 W. Turkeyfoot Lake Rd. (Rt. 619) in the heart of Portage Lakes. This newly redecorated, favorite spot serves outstanding Lake Erie Yellow Perch. Accompanied with French fries and Cole slaw, this delicious fish dinner is available in 1⁄2 pound servings. It's also served in a basket with just French Fries. Either way, this fish is hard to beat. Another good choice is their grouper. Ask for it Dietz's style, grilled and smothered with diced tomatoes, scallions and a few other goodies. Dietz's also features All-You-Can-Eat fish each Lenton Friday and both clam and seafood chowders. Enjoy your meal at a waterfront table overlooking West Reservoir in the Portage Lakes. Top off your outing with a piece of warm, delicious, flaky crust pie from Gardners. My favorite is cherry topped with vanilla ice cream. Sipping your favorite beverage, all the cares and worries in your world will melt away like milk chocolate on a warm sunny day.
Eat 'N' Park Restaurant, 200 Howe Ave., Cuyahoga Falls is in the Chapel Hill shopping complex behind the mall. True, while each Eat 'N' Park may be part of a chain (the only one to make my list), you've never know it. Like all of these restaurants, this one too is also considered to be local. Eat 'N' Park features mild whitefish, tuna sandwich wraps, various seafood and pierogies. Their Nantucket Cod is abso-tutely-lutely heavenly. This mouth watering North Atlantic Cod is oven roasted and topped with a blend of crabmeat, shrimp, spinach, onions, cheddar cheese and cracker crumbs and it's simply delicious. It really does melt in your mouth. Add the soup and salad bar and you'll remember this place whenever and wherever you travel.
Wil's Grille & Pub, 1644 W. Turkeyfoot Lake Road (Rt. 619) in Coventry. Each Friday Wil's features outstanding cod nuggets. Lightly battered, deep fried in peanut oil, these tasty, tender, morsels of succulent fish melt in your mouth. CB's (Chef Bill's) menu also offers deep fried flounder, Lake Erie perch and home made, New England style Clam Chowder. The flounder is some of the best I've eaten. Every other Friday stuffed sole, walleye and sometimes shrimp are featured. For those preferring selections other than fish, the menu is varied. Add a dish of his homemade Cole slaw and remember, Wil's is one of the few restaurants that serve fresh cut French Fries cooked in peanut oil and served as the Great Wise Chef in the Sky intended. Top off your meal as I do, with cherry covered cheese cake. Add a tall glass of freshly brewed ice tea or beverage of your choice and the beginnings of a memorable weekend at the lakes could be in the making.
Tim's Tavern, 3323 Parkway St. NW, (13th Street NW exit), in Canton. This famous fish restaurant has been around for years and that should come as no surprise. When you serve fish as delicious as they do, it's the first step to maintaining good roots. Although you'd love to, their chunks of delicious fried cod, lightly breaded in a secret batter, would be difficult to duplicate. But try their broiled cod with butter, lemon and topped with blackened onions. Asked the waitress to add a slice of tomato while it's still in the broiler. Simply delicious. A warning, though. Proof of their superb food is their long lines. So if you'd rather not wait, I'd suggest you arrive early.
Hartville Kitchen, 1015 Edison St. NW, (Rt. 619), in front of the Hartville Market, just west of Hartville. These folks serve outstanding, succulent, cod sandwiches on a soft roll and broiled or fried cod dinners. Whatever your choice, it's worth the trip. Add fresh lemon juice, pepper, a slice of tomato and onion, with an order of French fries and slaw and you'll feel like a Nantucket captain. They also serve outstanding broccoli cheese soup. With a slice of homemade pie, if heaven is anywhere near this, you may have to change your ways. Hartville Kitchen has some of the finest in comfort foods.
Ido Café, 1537 S. Main Street, just north of Wilbeth Road in south Akron, is a full service restaurant with a large and varied menu. They feature shrimp, scampies, and pan-fried Atlantic Salmon with a potato crust or broiled with a sweet teriyaki glaze. All you can eat fish is the special on Fridays. However, I go there specifically for their tasty, baked halibut. The mild, flaky fish is potato crusted and served with a choice of potato and side dish. With rolls, butter, freshly brewed ice tea and a dessert, I'm always one happy camper. Time and again I've returned,…just for the halibut.
Next week: My top non-commercial fish fry spots such as churches, clubs, charities, etc.
Comments may be e-mailed to: Frankweaverjr@aol.com
