Where to go for fish fries in Ames, Story County for Lent

The period of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts six weeks. Lent stretches from Feb. 14 to Easter Sunday on March 31 this year. Throughout this time, many Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays.

Catholic Churches and community centers host fish fries during this period to foster community and accommodate meal restrictions during the six-week period. Fish fries serve as an opportunity for people to come together and share a meal while observing the practices of Lent.

Here’s a look at the churches and community centers in the greater Ames area hosting fish fries this year.

St. Thomas Aquinas Church & Catholic Student Center, Ames

The three main Catholic churches in Ames will be alternating Fridays for which parish will host the Knights of Columbus Fish Fry.

St. Thomas Aquinas Church & Catholic Student Center kicks the Lenten season off with a fish fry on Feb. 16 and a final fish fry on March 22.

The fish fry is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church. The menu includes baked cod, baked potato, coleslaw, and green beans. If guests are not interested in fish, they can opt for a pasta with a meatless sauce instead.

For adults, the fish fry will cost $10, kids between the ages of four and 12 will cost $5, and children under four will eat free. At St. Thomas Aquinas Church, families of four can bundle and pay $35 for their entire meal.

St. Thomas Aquinas Church & Catholic Student Center, 2210 Lincoln Way, Ames, 515-292-3810

More: When is Easter 2024? Here are the important dates to know for Lent this year

Saint Cecilia Catholic Church, Ames

Saint Cecilia Catholic Church will host the second fish fry of the year from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 23, and will also have fish fries on March 1 and March 8.

Saint Cecilia will serve a parmesan-crusted baked tilapia, baked potato, green beans, coleslaw and a dessert option for an additional donation. The church also offers mac and cheese as a meatless alternative.

The meal costs $12 for adults and $5 for kids. The church also accepts credit cards, cash and checks.

Saint Cecilia Catholic Church, 14238 500th Ave., Ames, 515-233-3092

Saints Peter and Paul Church, Story County

Saints Peter and Paul Church in rural Story County also has three fish fries this Lenten season and has overlapping dates with St. Thomas Aquinas Church and Saint Cecilia Catholic Church. Saints Peter and Paul Church fish fries are happening from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 23, March 8, and March 22.

The menu includes an option between baked and fried fish, mac and cheese, baked potato, and dessert. Adult meals will cost $12, children between the ages of 5 and 12 will cost $6, and kids under four eat for free.

Saints Peter and Paul Church have a drive-thru option during Lent for those who prefer to take their meal to go.

Saints Peter and Paul Church, 14238 500th Ave., Ames, 515-292-3810

Headed to Des Moines? Here's a list of parishes in the Des Moines metro hosting fish fries

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Boone

Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boone will host three fish fries this lent from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 16, March 1, and March 15. The fish fry will not be hosted at the parish but at the Sacred Heart School located at 1111 Marshall St.

The menu includes baked fish, potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, and a dinner roll. Individual meals cost $13, or parties of two can bundle their meals for $25.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1111 Marshall St., Boone, 515-432-1971

St. Malachy Catholic Church, Madrid

St. Malachy Catholic Church in Madrid will host four fish fries this year from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 16, Feb. 23, March 8, and March 22.

St. Malachy offers a fish dinner for $11, a shrimp dinner for $13, and a fish and shrimp combo for $12. Each meal comes with a choice of corn or green beans, potatoes, a dinner roll, a homemade dessert, and a drink.

St. Malachy Catholic Church, 207 Gerald St., Madrid, 515-795-2731

Know of a fish fry we missed? Email details to IowaConnect@gannett.com for inclusion.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Where to find a fish fry in Ames during Lent in 2024