Gallagher-Hansen Post 295 Vfw

Everyone raves about their Lenten Friday fish fries (we used to volunteer with or scout troop to help bus tables), but fish has never been something I enjoy.

We usually go with my parents after church on Saturdays. Most of the tables in the bar area are high top, and we have a 9-month old, so that can be difficult if all the lower tables are taken. But they do have high chairs available that work fine at the lower tables.

Their food is always good, affordable, and out to your table quick. If it's crazy-busy with people ordering food, it might take a while, since I've never seen more than one cook in their small kitchen (they have another one that gets used for fish fries), but we've never had a problem, since most people are just ordering drinks.

They only part that's a bit of a bummer for us, is that if you order a pop (the hubbs and I don't usually order alcoholic beverages), it comes in a small solo cup, and you have to pay for a refill (I'm sure that's part of being a bar). We each typically order a water and a pop right away, then we don't go thirsty or have to pay for another small pop.

This is for Lenten fish fry:
ATMOSPHERE - This is one of the biggest VFWs I've been to. There's a large bar area, then in an adjoining room is a dinning space with another bar. It's very patriotic as you might imagine. There were lots of kids around, and everyone knew each other, which was lovely except there was a "you don't belong" attitude by some. In particular, the server in the bar in the dinning area ignored my two girlfriends to the point of taking an order from a gentleman standing BEHIND them. Thankfully the gentleman called her on it, and made her take their order. And I'm glad to say that was the only person who was openly rude. In fact, the people at the fish fry were all super friendly.
FISH - The set up here is really great. You wait in line to pay, then the line becomes a line for the buffet. It's great to be able to fill up your own plate. The buffet table had baked beans, macaroni & cheese, dinner rolls, boiled potatoes with parsley, cole slaw, and of course, fish. A new serving of freshly fried fish came out every few minutes to replenish the buffet table. The fish had a breading type of batter (rather than a light fluffy batter.) It was light and flakey, hot and crispy, it was wonderful.
COST - $10, this was a steal!
EXTRAS - When we were there former Gov. Pawlenty and his family showed up.  Plus or negative, that's your call.

As you get older, you realize certain things.

Like, your Mom was right about how despite the fact you are in college, you didn't know everything when you were 18 years old. Or, that finding a place that makes really good fried fish during Lent is easy.

After years of research, I would like to put a bid into the VFW Post 295 as having the best fried fish in town. For lunch or dinner on a Friday, they serve a heaping plate of fish (lemon/tartar sauce on the side). Let's make sure to pause on the fish: big pieces, just the right fried texture, and not too greasy in addition to a variety of other sides to choose from: baked beans, potatos, mac n' cheese, bread. And, there is always a cute little lady at the end of the buffet line handing out coffee, milk and water.

You know its a good joint, because this place is PACKED for both lunch and dinner during Friday fish fry. So, I recommend arriving early for lunch (11am) or early for dinner (5pm). Sure, that might seem insanely early to be eating those meals, but it will help you avoid the crazy lines.

Fried fish not your thing? Don't get me started on the delightful meat raffle/taco bar on Saturday afternoons. I can't think of another place that is more welcoming to someone looking for a place to meet up with a group on a Saturday at 2pm, than this one.