Fat Tuesday & Fridays: How We Celebrate Lent in Lemont
For most practicing Christians, Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, where one observes a period of fasting and reflection on their sins. If you’re unfamiliar with Lent, we bet you’ve probably heard a few tales of Fat Tuesday known as Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Carnival in Brazil and through the Carribean, or the Masquerade Ball of Venice.
Even with all of the celebrating, reflecting, and fasting, there are many ways and opportunities to indulge in classic, traditional foods locally over the next 40 days and nights. Bring on the paczki, fish-fry’s, and pepper and egg sandwiches.
It’s time for good eating in Lemont Downtown.
No matter your religion or spirituality, don’t let this season pass you by without indulging in some of these classics.
To learn more about Lenten Food in Lemont, visit our guide here.
For Fat Tuesday
Paczki Donuts from Wooden Paddle
Pach-Key or puhnch-key
No matter how you pronounce it, you don’t have to go far to find the fried, filled doughnuts.
Celina’s Fresh Market
You can get your paczki fix every day at Celina’s Fresh Market. You’ll find them at the bakery regularly but for this special occasion, give them a call to order large amounts in advance so they can have your order waiting for you. If you forget last minute, there is a good chance you’ll find some if you stop by early. Visit online or call the Lemont location at (630) 243.1669.
14164 McCarthy Rd. Lemont
FOLKLORE COFFEE X KAREN LILLY
On Fat Tuesday, baker extraordinaire Karen Lilly is doing a Paczki Pop-Up at Folklore Coffee. Limited quantities will be available from 7AM until they sell out. Their flavors include custard with chocolate, mixed berry with powdered sugar, and apple with cinnamon sugar.
214 Main St, Lemont, IL 60439
For Your Meat-Free Fridays
After a sinful Fat Tuesday, most Christians refrain from eating meat on Fridays, as a form of penance – admitting to any wrongdoings and sins while turning back to belief in God. After Stations of the Cross, join in fellowship with others and end get your protein fix by enjoying this traditional meals.
SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish (SSCM)
The Friday Fish Fry at SSCM is one of the most quintessential Lemont experiences. It’s a Lent fish fry as it’s meant to be: at a Catholic school gymnasium, moms frying the fish, dads selling beer, kids hawking bake sale desserts. You can wash down your fish fry with an ice-cold Żywiec.
Mark your calendars for SSCM’s Friday Fish Fry on February 20, March 6, and March 20 from 5 to 8PM.
Follow them on Facebook to view their menu and get notified of upcoming fish frys.
608 Sobieski St, Lemont, IL 60439
3 Corners Grill & tap
Lent specials start this week at 3 Corners Grill & Tap! Make sure to taste these delicious menu offerings on Fridays during Lent.
They’re serving up lobster rolls, grouper tacos, boom boom shrimp, grouper sandwiches, fish & chips, walleye po’ boy sandwiches, pepper & egg wraps, and cod sandwiches!
12371 Derby Rd, Lemont, IL 60439
SLOVENIAN CATHOLIC CENTER
On Friday, February 27, the Slovenian Catholic Center is hosting a Fish Fry! Enjoy a delicious meal alongside community members at this great space.
14252 Main St, Lemont, IL 60439
TAP HOUSE GRILL
Word on the street is Tap House Grill hosts an all-you-can-eat Fish Fry on Fridays! Keep an eye on their socials for any fun announcements.
1243 S State St, Lemont, IL 60439
DIGS ON MCCARTHY
On Lent Fridays, Digs on McCarthy has 4 menu specials for all those celebrating and eager to enjoy great meals. They have a pepper & egg sandwich, layered with seasoned sauteed green and red peppers, scrambled eggs, and beer cheese, served on a French roll.
Fish & chips is another menu option: 2 beer-battered cod filets with tartar sauce. All tuna melt lovers can order a tuna salad with melted cheddar, lettuce, and tomato, served on white or wheat bread. And a classic fish sandwich, another Lent special topped with coleslaw and served on a brioche bun, is waiting for you.
12257 Walker Rd, Lemont, IL 60439
The club
Lent Fridays just got better with The Club’s seasonal special: crispy beer-battered fish, seasoned fries, house-made tartar sauce, and fresh house slaw with a squeeze of lemon on the side.
Grab a refreshing pint, book a bay, and make it a Friday tradition!
46 Ed Bossert St, Lemont, IL 60439
Matt’s Barbeque
Matt’s Barbeque serves the best central Texan flavors right here in Lemont. Order their smoked grouper sandwich this Lent.
308 Canal St, Lemont, IL 60439
King’s on Canal
This Lent, head over to King’s on Canal and bite into their Yuengling beer-battered haddock and fries. You might just find your new favorite sports far to regular.
316 Canal St, Lemont, IL 60439
Joe & Josie’s
Visit Joe & Josie’s, a family-run bar and grill, this Lent for meat-free meals! In 2025, they had two dish options as well as shrimp with fries and coleslaw. We’re excited to try their special menu offerings this season!
13555 S Archer Ave, Lemont, IL 60439
RUFFLED FEATHERS GOLF CLUB
The Ruffled Feathers Golf Club has a Friday Fish Fry event from February 20 to April 3. Join them for an all-you-can-eat fish fry! All are welcome. No reservations required.
1 Pete Dye Dr, Lemont, IL 60439
Illinois Bar & Grill
The Illinois Bar & Grill Lemont is serving up fantastic veggie burgers, cod fish sandwiches, zesty shrimp baskets, and a great fish & chips entree with fries and a side of tartar sauce this season.
103 Stephen St, Lemont, IL 60439
Nick’s Tavern
With 75+ years in the tavern business, we know Nick’s Tavern, a Lemont legend, knows how to fix a sandwich! In years past, they served the best Pepper & Egg Sandwich in ALL of Chicago! Nick’s sandwich is served with pepper jack cheese on a fluffy Milano Bakery roll. The secret ingredient here is that well-seasoned Nick’s grill, which makes for the best pepper and egg around. Nick’s is old school, so remember to bring cash because your plastic won’t work here!
221 Main St, Lemont, IL 60439
Corner Stone Tavern
Corner Stone Tavern is a classic spot, and they serve up a classic pepper and egg sandwich. Folded eggs with diced red peppers and onions, a wonderful gooey cheese pull, on a toasted French roll smeared with secret sauce. How can you resist a secret sauce? This sandwich has us dreaming of Lent all year round.
103 Stephen St, Lemont, IL 60439
One of our favorite things about this great regional tradition is that it is still unknown to so many. As proud Chicagoans, we also love that the pepper and egg sandwich was created in Little Italy in the late 19th century and early 20th century and continues to be enjoyed today.
It is like stumbling upon a secret Catholic and Christian culture that everyone is invited to enjoy, regardless of your religious affiliation. And what better place to find it than the “Village of Faith.” Yet another good reason to look forward to Fridays!
