Mystery Diner in McHenry: VFW Post 4600 fish fry is worth the wait

The Friday fish fry is ubiquitous during Lent, which ends April 14.

We were encouraged by a reader to try the Friday fish fry at the McHenry VFW Post 4600. “Reservations are encouraged,” the reader recommended. Our interest was piqued, and we called the post to make reservations. We had to wait two Fridays to get our time of choice. Yes, we were intrigued, indeed.

We arrived 20 minutes ahead of our reservation. VFW Post 4600 is surrounded by baseball fields on all sides, a reminder of when our son played Legion baseball. The parking lot was packed. This sure is a popular place, we remarked. The front door leads to a large rectangular bar, with dining rooms to the left and to the right. Beyond the dining room to the right is a large bingo hall.

VFW Post 4600 was hopping this Friday night with diners, revelers and bingo players all enjoying themselves. We were guided to our high-top table and ordered a beer. There were a lot of choices, from domestics to craft beers in bottles and draft. The fish fry actually begins at 11 a.m. Fridays.

There is so much to attract your senses, from the bingo players to the aromas coming from the kitchen. This is a go-to place in McHenry. Then, in walked a couple Girl Scouts with a toy wagon full of boxes of Girl Scout cookies. They headed to the bingo hall. About 15 minutes later, the girls’ wagon was empty, but within minutes they returned, their wagon full again. The second wagon, too, sold out in a hurry.

The sights were entertaining, but we came to Post 4600 for the fish fry.

We started with a cup of Manhattan clam chowder, the red style offering not seen too often in McHenry County. The broth was bold, and the soup included good pieces of tender clam and potato. This was a nice starter for our Lenten meal.

There were two options for the fish fry on the menu, beer-battered or baked, hand-cut cod, with coleslaw and a choice of potato (baked, potato pancakes, fries or tater tots). A two-piece meal costs $12; it’s $15 for four pieces.

We decided on the beer-battered fried fish, with a variety of potato sides: baked, potato pancakes and tater tots. The beer-battered coating on the cod was crisp and tasty, and the cod was fresh, meaty and savory. It’s clear that Post 4600 takes pride in this meal.

The potato offerings of baked, pancake and tots complemented the meal.

We ended our visit by splitting a piece of three-layer carrot cake, which was the Post’s evening dessert offering. This was decadent, and after our large dinner, we couldn’t finish it.

Overall, this was a fine meal and well worth the wait for reservations.

The restaurant at VFW Post 4600 is more than a fish fry. It offers a full menu, from sandwiches, tacos, pizza and salads to entrees of shrimp, braised pork belly and chicken dishes. There are also daily specials and a Sunday brunch.

We will be back to give these options a try.

• The Mystery Diner is an employee at the Northwest Herald. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a story.

Seeking reader suggestions: We welcome readers to share their recommendations of places they would like the Mystery Diner to visit. Please email ideas to tips@nwherald.com.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: McHenry VFW Post 4600

WHERE: 3002 Route 120, McHenry

PHONE: 815-385-4600

INFORMATION: vfwmchenry.org