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	The Manchester Enterprise A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

St. Mary fish fries returning for Lent

Traditional Friday fare reels in diners from throughout the area

By Edward Freundl, Heritage Newspapers

PUBLISHED: February 15, 2007

Manchester is famous for its chicken during the summer, but its fish dinners during the Fridays of Lent have run a close second for almost a quarter of a century.

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Volunteers with St. Mary Catholic Parish in Manchester have served more than 3,000 customers each year, and the tradition continues Feb. 23 through March 30 at the St Mary Parish Center, 110 E. Madison St.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Full service begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m.

The all-you-can-eat full menu price is unchanged from last year at $9 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, $5 for children ages 6 through 10, and free for children 5 and younger. All carry-outs are $8.

The carry-out service has been streamlined this year to better serve customers, said Bill Kwolek.

"Phone in your order at 428-7211, answer a few questions about your selection and we'll have it ready in 10 minutes," Kwolek said. "Come to the door marked 'Take-out pickup,' tell us your name and pay the cashier."

Fish fries during Lent are common in most communities, but Kwolek said the Manchester Fish Fry stands out from the rest.

"Each year, we serve the best-tasting fish and side dishes, period," he said. "Our Fish Fry attracts people from Jackson, Adrian, Ann Arbor and even Detroit."

Each entree is made from scratch, using traditional recipes.

The potatoes — French fried, baked or roasted — come from the DuRussel Farm near Manchester.

"The paprika-and-garlic roasted new potatoes are a Manchester specialty," Kwolek noted.

The fish is North Atlantic cod, either hand-dipped in Drake's beer batter and deep-fried in premium oil; or filleted and marinated in Italian seasonings for oven-roasting.

Those who don't like fish can enjoy oven-crusted, homemade macaroni and cheese.

The salad bar is a 40-square-foot selection of salads, baked potato toppings, condiments and specialty dishes, Kwolek said.

Desserts include a Fish Fry favorite, Oreo Cookie pudding, as well as homemade baked goods.

"Bring the whole family and tell your friends that in Manchester, good eating is the Chicken Broil in July and the Fish Fry during Lent," Kwolek said. "Look for our signs on Main Street."