Caleb Westphal - Writer

"In this column, Enjoy Every Fish Fry, I write about Friday fish frys I’ve eaten. I usually point out and highlight the good while downplaying or playfully poking fun at the bad. I’m not writing about politics or injustice or war—serious subjects that demand serious analysis and criticism to foster accountability and reach solutions—I’m writing about how crunchy a batter is or how satisfying a tartar sauce is. So the criticism bends towards the lighthearted. Lightheartedness is an essential component to living in 2025, as it always has been.

"Here are my favorite Milwaukee-area fish frys from 2025. The list consists of my favorites from places I wrote about this year, as well as my favorites from places I returned to that I previously wrote about. There is plenty of good highlighted in the articles, good that made these the best fish frys of the year. Maybe it was the fish or batter or tartar sauce that made these the best, or maybe it was something else, like the potato pancakes, coleslaw, or a combination of factors. Pull up a chair and pass the tartar bottle, here are the best Milwaukee-area fish frys of 2025."

With appearances from The Brick Pub and Grill, Chances, Coach's Pub N Grill, Dale Z's On Tour, Danny Haskell's Pub & Grill, The Farmstead, Henry Flach Steakhouse, Lulabell's Dockside, Magoo's On The Mound, The Mineshaft, Mother of Perpetual Help West Allis, Ricky's Double Barrel Inn, Sandpiper Inn, Squidy's 2, Clifford's Supper Club, Kegel's Inn, The Packing House Restaurant, and Steak House 100.

Enjoy Every Fish Fry: The best Milwaukee-area fish frys of 2025 Pull up a chair and pass the tartar bottle, here are the best Milwaukee-area fish frys of 2025.

This week: Lightly seasoned potato pancakes, perch with a robust flavor in a crunchy but brittle batter, and nods to Pabst Blue Ribbon at JJ&B's Sports Bar & Blue Ribbon Taproom

Enjoy Every Fish Fry: Give the gift of perch at J&B’s Sports Bar & Blue Ribbon Taproom “Whether we’re cheering the Brew Crew, the Pack, the Bucks or the Badgers, J&B’s is the place to catch all local sports.”

This week: Potato pancakes with sweet and savory symbiosis, silky smooth chowder, and tartar that goes the whole way at The Brick Pub and Grill.

Enjoy Every Fish Fry: The Brick Pub & Grill in Glendale has heartwarming history, terrific sides Hold the ketchup and hold the applesauce—the potato pancakes at The Brick Pub & Grill are not only original, they’re wonderful.

This week: Black Friday at Swagger Sports Bar & Grill in the Root River Center with *NSYNC, Spice Girls, and Spotted Cow battered cod.

Enjoy Every Fish Fry: Bowl, eat fish at Swagger Sports Bar & Grill at Root River Center in Franklin Swagger is a place to get a fish fry when you are bowling, or when you want something quick and simple while avoiding restaurant crowds.

Tonight in Bay View. It will be just like this.

A Wholesome Report: Bay View's 2023 Tree Lighting | Caleb Westphal Get more from Caleb Westphal on Patreon

This week: Endless wood paneling, top-notch breading, and turn-it-over-thick tartar at Parkside Inn in Newburg, a timeless Wisconsin tavern (with no website or social media pages).

Enjoy Every Fish Fry: Parkside Inn in Newburg is a classic Wisconsin tavern with all-you-can-eat fish Parkside Inn in Newburg is cozy, unaffected, and unassuming, serving a simple and straightforward fish fry at a stellar price.

This week: All-you-can-eat haddock for $7.99 and a $2 million game room at The Mineshaft.

Enjoy Every Fish Fry: The Mineshaft in Hartford offers inexpensive all-you-can-eat fish, massive game room The Mineshaft is a place people know well beyond Hartford, and if you make the trek, you’ll understand why.

This week: Only minimal worry of getting hit by darts while eating the Captain's Platter at The Foxhole Lounge.

Enjoy Every Fish Fry: Catch the Captain’s Platter at The Foxhole Lounge in Racine The Foxhole Lounge supports the troops AND fish frys. Also, NO darts during Friday Night Dinner!

This week: Hopping like a bunny and having some honkin' haddock at SafeHouse Milwaukee on Halloween.

Enjoy Every Fish Fry: Haddock and Halloween at the SafeHouse It had to happen. I was to be a spy at the SafeHouse and I had a mission to complete. Mission: Wisconsin.

This week: The Fish Fry Fecta at The Neighbors Bar and Grille in Waukesha.

Enjoy Every Fish Fry: Net the Fish Fry Fecta at The Neighbors Bar & Grille in Waukesha Here’s to youth and memories and all the good people who helped you become who you are. Here’s to Friday fish frys. Here’s to neighbors.

This week: Speedy service, familiar tasting french fries, and decades of sports memorabilia at Major Goolsby's.

Enjoy Every Fish Fry: The service is quick at Milwaukee’s iconic Major Goolsby’s Major Goolsby’s is known for churning out quick meals for folks on their way to a sporting event or concert.

This week: Pot pie clam chowder, top hat sized potato pancakes, and perch & cod that compete for your heart at White Rabbit Bar & Grill in Mequon.

Enjoy Every Fish Fry: Follow the White Rabbit to Mequon to find White Rabbit Bar & Grill I remembered what the dormouse said. “Feed your head, feed your head,” which I assume means “Finish all of the fish on your plate.”