Against the warnings of Chuck, the N0 NMAUL grand grouper, the gang made its way to Our Holy Cross last Fryday to indulge in some tasty fried whitefish and something yellow that we were told was macaroni and cheese. (More on that in a second.) The church is in Northeast, and probably for that reason alone the Anti-Ungulate League was in full force:
What a handsome crew! Now let’s check out the meal itself:
Not too bad, actually. The palette actually extends beyond the usual white-to-grey spectrum and even ventures into something resembling green with that coleslaw, which you have to admit was better than SLP’s. The cookie, while not homemade, was a nice touch, and the fish was actually quite good. Unlike the last time your humble correspondent ate at Our Holy Cross–about five years ago–they were serving seconds, although nobody needed it. Our stomachs were too busy dealing with the macaroni, the consistency of which Claudia likened to shellac. Danielle and I later argued over whether or not the macaroni was elbows or spirals. The fact that we even had that argument in the first place tells you all you need to know about that particular side dish.
Luckily inedible macaroni is the mother of invention, as evidenced by Amanda’s and Claudia’s newest culinary experiment, the “Mac’n'tato”:
Yes, she actually ate that.
Later in the meal, I met my new best friend:
His name is Chad, but he prefers Chadwick. He wanted my phone number, but I told him I’d see him on my Facebook instead. He was into that, so we wrote down our names.
And now we’re all best friends.
When Chadwick joined us, he asked Claudia, “Are you always happy?” She said yes.
Later, after fish fry, inspired by Chadwick, we decided we could actually be a little happier, come to think of it, so we ventured across the street to Shaw’s and did some of this:
Verdict: Not the greatest food, but last Fryday definitely had the best company.
When it comes to Fish Fry Season, yes, Chadwick, we’re always happy.
The fish flies at 5 tonight at Our Holy Cross church in Northeast Minneapolis. The Anti-Ungulate League will be there around 5:30.
Full disclosure: I have my doubts about this place, having been spurned here before. However, I’ve been eating exclusively at churches for the last two weeks, and sharing meals with the flock has put me in a mood for forgiveness. So I’m going in with an open mind, an open heart, and most importantly, an open mouth. Let’s see what you got, Holy Cross!
No NMAUL united in St. Louis Park last Fryday for another deep fried adventure. Things started kind of slow actually really slow. The fish fry line seemed to take forever but it was worth the wait – 3 choices of potatoes (fries, tots or baked), rolls, coleslaw, fruit salad and of course the fish! I think it might be some of the best fish I’ve ever eaten in a church basement and I grew up in Milwaukee – I’ve eaten a lot of fish in a lot of church basements. That was good fish.
Even though the fish is the most important part of any fish fry the rest of the Most Holy Trinity fish fry made this Fryday most holy awesome. I swear on my membership in No NMAUL that the events I relate to you are true. If you don’t think it’s possible you don’t truly know the power of a fish fry.
Right after we sat down to eat the table next to us offered us an almost full carafe of wine which they claimed they weren’t going to finish. Of course we graciously accepted. While we were still thanking them for the wine Leslie won $29 in the 50/50 raffle. After dinner we quickly lost track of time as we sipped warm white wine from tiny plastic glasses and slurped luke warm decaf coffee from real ceramic cups. Before some of us had even had a chance to get dessert it was 7:00 and the fish fry was supposed to be over but then a voice came down from the sky (or it came from the PA system behind us, either way we couldn’t see who was talking) – the bar was still open and drinks were half price! Without a second thought Jeff stepped up to the bar and moments later had a cafeteria tray full of not very cold cans of Labatt Blue. It was most holy awesome. This is the power of fish fry.
The Northeast Minneapolis Anti-Ungulate League will be heading out to St. Louis Park (which I heard five years ago was the “new Northeast,” so really, it’s about time) for our maiden voyage to the Most Holy Trinity fish fry. It happens only twice a year so I’m expecting it to be a treat, especially considering 4:30-5 pm is “social hour,” featuring half-price beer and wine. I don’t know of any other church fish fry in town that serves alcohol, and it’s only appropriate that one called Most Holy Trinity does, because fish, friends and beer is just that.
They even have a “Take-Away” window, which I don’t plan to use but find charming to no end. For more info, check out this PDF.
brotherly love, relief, and fish,
chuck
Posted in Fish Fry Preview
Tagged beer, fish fry, holy trinity, social hour, st. louis park
Fish fry season started with a bang tonight. Highlights: the slaw, the pumpkin spice bars, Taylor winning $19 at bingo, and, of course, the fish. (The fried was good; skip the baked.) St Al’s is always solid people watching, and tonight was no exception, with hook lady, the goofy priest on the mic, and weird raffle guy all making appearances. Our favorite bingo caller was even working. Claw said she was her hero.
