It's Lent Friday; Here's Where To Find Fish Fries

TAMPA BAY, FL -- During Lent, a traditional Friday fish fry is usually as close as the nearest church. Here are some fish fries taking place during Lent in Tampa Bay:

* St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road, Lutz, will host fish fries through April 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. In addition to fried shrimp and fried fish platters with fries and cole slaw every Friday, the church will offer fish tacos with fries on March 29, a shrimp boil with corn and potatoes April 5 and seafood paella with yellow rice and a garden salad on April 12. Meals include bread, a dessert and a beverage. Mac and cheese, cheese pizza and fries are available for kids. The cost is $9 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under, or $29 for a family.

* St. Patrick Catholic Church,4518 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, will host its 23rd annual fish fry each Friday of Lent starting at 5 p.m. Adults receive fried or baked fish, a choice of two sides, bread, drink and dessert. Side salads and grilled cheese are also available for purchase. Children receive either fish or grilled cheese with sides, drink and dessert. Sides include french fries, coleslaw, yellow rice, peas or macaroni and cheese. Dine in or take out. The cost is $8 for adults, $6 for children age 4 to 10 and $4 for children 3 and under.

* St. Ignatius of Antioch Roman Catholic Church, 715 E. Orange Ave., Tarpon Springs, will host a fish fry on April 12 in the church hall. The meal includes a beverage and dessert.

* St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 9724 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, will host its Lenten fish fry from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Venetian Event Center every Friday during Lent except Good Friday. Dinner options include fish or shrimp for $10 for adults and $7 for kids, a fish and shrimp combo for $11 for adults and $9 for kids, macaroni and cheese for $8 for adults and $6 for kids. All dinners come with fries, coleslaw, hush puppies, iced tea or coffee. Clam chowder and a variety of beverages are also available.

* St. Clement's Episcopal Church, 706 W. 113th Ave., Tampa, will host a fish fry every Friday through April 12 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The meal includes fish fillets, sides and drinks. The cost is $10 for adults, $25 for families of three or more and free for children under 5.

* Transfiguration Catholic Church, 4000 43rd St. N., St. Petersburg, is hosting its Lent Fish Fry every Friday at 7 p.m. until April 12 for $8 a plate.

* St. John Vianny, 8350 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach, is hosting its 18th Annual Fish Fry during Lent. Plates vary between $8 to $12. Kids under the age of 5 can eat for free.

* St. Stephen Catholic Church, 10118 St. Stephen Circle, Riverview, will host its fish fry every Friday through April 12 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dine in or drive through. A fish dinner including two fillets with coleslaw or apple sauce and fries is $10; a shrimp dinner with 12 shrimp with coleslaw or apple sauce and fries is $12; a combo of one fish fillet, six shrimp with coleslaw or apple sauce and fries is $11. Extra fillets are $4 each. For kids, a single fish filet with coleslaw or apple sauce and fries is $6 and cheese pizza with coleslaw or apple sauce and fries is $5. Desserts will be available for $2.

* Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pinellas Park, 7809 46th Way N., will host a fish fry and pasta dinner every Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall.

* St. Mary Catholic Church, 15520 North Boulevard, Tampa, will host its Lenten fish fry every Friday through April 12. The Knights of Columbus will provide fish meals from 5 to 7 p.m. for $9 for adults and $5 for kids. The Women's Council will provide baked goods.

* Christ the King Catholic Church,821 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, will host a fish fry April 12 at 5 p.m. in the church cafeteria.

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