SOLON — It’s been a local tradition for many decades, and it starts up again Friday, March 7, when the American Legion Stinocher Post 460 hosts the first of seven fish fry’s during the Lenten season.
It began when the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) started serving fish and chips (homemade French fries). Later the Legion took on the meals and began serving “Mississippi Shrimp.” Denny Hansen, Sgt. at Arms for Post 460 described it as carp that had been sliced and seasoned. “People just loved it,” he said.
From there the Legion served Pollock for many years but found it inferior as half its weight was lost in frying it. “It was cheap but there’s a reason it was cheap. You were paying for water.”
Again this year, the quest for the best fish has led Hansen and the Legion to Cod loins.
“Everybody loves Cod,” he said, “and it’s about the best you can get. It’s more expensive, but it’s worth it.”
Post 460 will be serving up all you can eat fish and shrimp (for dine-in only) with cheesy potatoes, coleslaw, fresh baked rye bread from Sam’s Main Street Market, and a dessert (one per diner) for $18 for adults, which is up from last year. “The cost of everything is going up,” Hansen said. “Some of the stuff we get is up $10/case this year from what it was last year.” Kids (12 and under) are $9 with kids 5 and under eating for free.
All money raised goes toward capital improvement projects for the Legion, Hansen explained.
“We’ve got some long-range plans to re-do the entire kitchen,” he said as well as taking out the ceiling tiles and going back to the original high ceiling.
The Legion exists to serve the veterans and to take care of veterans. “Our main goal for the past few years has been suicide prevention because there’s over 22 veterans a day killing themselves. So, what the bar tries to do is cover the cost (taxes, insurance, utilities) of being open, and then our fundraisers (Fish Fry’s and raffles) covers improvements to the building.” Previous projects with the help of the Solon Beef Days Committee, the Solon Area Community Foundation, and the Lion’s Club have included replacing the women’s bathroom, installing a new sign and awning on the front of the building, roof repairs, and installing a new HVAC system.
While the Legion is a volunteer organization, it takes even more volunteers from throughout the community to make the fish fries run smoothly. “We have some people who come in every year and help who aren’t veterans or Legion members, they help serve, wash dishes, help in the kitchen, be a runner, or even sell tickets. Without them, we couldn’t pull this off.” There is a signup link at www. solonamericanlegionpost460.com, or you can stop in or call the Legion at 319-624-2277.
With so many fish fry’s in the area, what makes Solon’s a “must-do?”
“I think it’s the breading we use,” said Hansen. “We don’t do beer batter or battered fish, it’s just a dry breading so you don’t get all that…fluff. And then the cheesy potatoes are made with a secret recipe by the Legion Auxiliary. We’ve had a lot of people tell us our coleslaw is the best they’ve ever tasted.”
Then there’s the desserts featuring at least seven 100% homemade pies baked by Jeanne Stinocher. “And she’s here from start to finish, and you just can’t get her to sit down.”
Serving is from 5-7:00 p.m. with carryout’s available. Delivery for homebound senior citizens is available by calling the Legion (319624-2277) before noon on Thursdays.