These 5 Classic Fish Fry Joints Are So Perfectly Iowa

When Lent comes around, observant Catholics abstain from eating meat on key days of observance as well as every Friday for the forty-day period. It’s a serious religious rite – but it also means that many restaurants bring out their best fish and seafood specials to make sure those observing can still stop by their favorite restaurant and find something great on the menu. Surely, the coastal states have more fish and seafood restaurants, but that doesn’t mean Iowa is left out in the cold. These five restaurants, ranging from humble fish shacks to one of the fanciest restaurants in Des Moines, serve the best fried fish in Iowa. Whether you’re looking for a place to eat during Lent or just love fried fish any time of the year, you won’t be disappointed by a visit to these locations.

Mo Fish/Council Bluffs

A humble southern fish-and-chicken shack on the Nebraska border, Mo Fish in Council Bluffs is gaining a following.

Mo Fish, 2403 Nash Blvd #1, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, USA

Sonia Valentine/Google Local

The perfectly fried fish and southern sides are the ideal end-of-workweek meal if you don't want to break the bank.

Kerry O/Google Local

Not just the best fried catfish in Iowa, but the best view, Bluff Lake Catfish Farm in Maquoketa is a waterfall restaurant that's truly one-of-a-kind.

Bluff Lake Catfish Farm, 9301 95th Ave, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USA

Tim Nooteboom/Google Local

You can have your catfish filets in the classic bone-in style, or deboned for easy eating.

Liz DeHaan/Google Local

A huge restaurant with an outdoor patio, Catfish Charlie's in Dubuque is a popular family destination.

Catfish Charlie's, 1630 E 16th St, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA

Nocturnalife/Google Local

Despite the name, it's not all about the catfish - the fried walleye and other seasonal fish are just as delicious.

Nick Chill/Google Local

Bubba in Des Moines has gained a reputation as THE place in Iowa for high-end southern cuisine.

Bubba, 200 10th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA

Barbara Getz/Google Local

That extends to its fried catfish skillet, which is served over the classic duo of succotash and red beans and rice.

The Mucky Duck Pub/Google Local

Of course, the south doesn't have the monopoly on great fried fish - the Brits might have something to say about that! Make sure to head to The Mucky Duck Pub in Ames to see for yourself.

The Mucky Duck Pub, 3100 S Duff Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA

Jim Crabb/Google Local

The fish and chips at this Ames gastropub is perfectly fried, greaseless, and incredibly delicious.

Have you visited any of these restaurants to try their fried fish? Let us know about your visit, and tell us your pick for the best fried fish in Iowa in the comments section. Many places serve excellent fried fish in the Hawkeye State, even a southern-fried cafeteria.