Alright, let me tell you about my little adventure trying to track down a proper fish dinner up in Erie, PA. It wasn’t exactly planned, you know? I was up that way, doing some things, and suddenly, this craving just hit me hard. You know the kind – that specific taste of a good, simple, fried fish dinner. Especially being near the lake, I got Lake Erie Perch on my mind.
Finding the Spot
So, the first hurdle was figuring out where to go. It’s not like these places always advertise heavily. Sometimes the best spots are tucked away. I thought about just driving around, looking for those hand-written signs outside a church hall or a VFW post, especially if it was a Friday. But I didn’t have unlimited time.
I ended up asking a couple of folks I ran into. You know, just striking up a conversation. “Hey, where can a guy get a decent fish dinner around here?” Got a few suggestions. Some mentioned the usual restaurants, but I was looking for something more… local, I guess? More down-to-earth.
Eventually, someone pointed me towards this little neighborhood tavern. Wasn’t fancy, not by a long shot. Looked like it had been there forever, the kind of place where everyone knows everyone. Perfect. That felt more like what I was after.
The Dinner Itself
Walked in, and yeah, it had that comfortable, lived-in feel. Nothing pretentious. Found a seat and looked at the menu – pretty straightforward. They had the perch, just like I hoped.
Here’s what I got:
- The Fish: Went with the Lake Erie Perch, fried. It came out golden brown. Not too greasy, which is always a plus. The breading was simple, crispy. Fish itself was flaky and tasted fresh. Exactly what I was hoping for.
- The Sides: Standard stuff, but done right. Got a heap of french fries – thick cut, not those skinny things. And a scoop of coleslaw. The slaw was creamy, a nice cool contrast to the hot fish and fries. Sometimes they offer mac and cheese or pierogies around there, but I stuck to the basics this time.
It wasn’t gourmet cooking, mind you. It was just honest, solid food. The kind that fills you up and makes you feel good. Sat there, ate my dinner, listened to the local chatter around me. Felt pretty satisfying.
Final Thoughts
So, yeah. The mission for a fish dinner in Erie was a success. It took a little asking around, a bit of effort finding the right kind of place, but it paid off. It’s good to know you can still find those simple, classic meals done well if you look a bit.
Bottom line: If you’re in Erie and get that craving, don’t just hit the first chain place you see. Ask a local, find one of those neighborhood joints. Chances are you’ll get a real taste of the place. That perch dinner hit the spot, just like I remembered it should.
