Suburban Fish Fry is a South Louisville tradition still going strong, since 1919. Open only on Saturday, March through November, they fry wild-caught Icelandic Cod “Green-River Style”. While the recipe is a 100 year old closely held secret, we know the hand-breaded cornmeal coating allows the crisp, clean flavor of the fish to shine.
“In Cod We Trust”
Their tagline emphasizes a menu laser focused on Icelandic cod by the piece, sandwich and pound. Sides, breads and condiments are limited only to those necessary for a feast of fried fish. The potatoes are fried for maximum crispiness and sold by the serving or by the pound. Creamy coleslaw is a perfect complement and every sandwich deserves some of their famous marinated onions. Beyond that, it’s a choice of white or rye bread, tartar sauce and ketchup.
Opening day means serving about 2000 pounds of fish and throughout the rest of the season averages 1000 pounds. For those of you doing the math that totals almost 4 million pounds of fried fish “Green River Style”!
The Suburban Social Club
The club is a volunteer, appendant body of Suburban Masonic Lodge No 740 and proceeds help support the good works of Suburban Lodge, fund scholarships and support local causes such as Kosair Charities.
Founded in 1919 it’s a unique community treasure, originally at the corner of 3rd Street and Central Avenue until 1998, sitting in front of American Air Filter corporation and now the site of a strip mall. Urban renewal and road improvements forced a move to the current location further south.
I grew up in Louisville where this is almost a religious tradition – but on Saturdays. The entrance for the fish by the pound line was in the rear of and under the Masonic Lodge and I can still hear the long spring on the wooden gate creak as it stretched to open, and the quick slam-bang when it closed. As a satisfied customer for far longer than a half-century, I am thrilled to share one of Louisville’s best kept secrets.