Our Lady of Pillar - 401 S. Lindbergh Blvd, Creve Coeur, MO

Wayfinding / Greening

(3 Out of 4 Fishes)
Perhaps the best wayfinding of any fish fry. Large signs at each entrance along Lindbergh. Even a directional sign from one parking lot to the upper parking lot where the fish fry was located. Menus! Menus were life size when you walk in the door. There was no possible way you could miss the menus. Ordering was easy and they had it down to a science with different color slips of paper for each entree choice. Lines moved fairly efficiently. Hardly any wait at 5pm, although by 5:15 there started to be a line. Only downside was greening, as there was no apparent highlights. Styrofoam plates, condiment packages, and no visible recycling.


Food


Lots of good entree choices including fried and baked cod, baked salmon, and fried shrimp. I had high expectations of the cod going in, and the cod didn't quite live up to those expectations - cod was fair to good. Other entrees including the bake salmon looked very good. The sides were well done. My cole slaw was excellent and the green beans had a nice extra touch of additional seasoning including peppers. Other sides included tater tots, mac and cheese, and spaghetti. Desserts were a highlight. I had an awesome red velvet cake. My daughter had a brownie which was rich and chocolaty.

Values


A lot of fish fries are in the $8 range now, and Our Lady of Pillar was no exception. $8 for fried cod, $9 for baked cod or fried shrimp, $10 for baked salmon. Kids cod nuggets were $4. Soda $1. Beer $3. Dinners included dessert and drinks, but drinks were just water and coffee. $28 for our family of five.

Atmosphere


A more "refined" buzz. Although it was nearly full, it wasn't overly loud. Friendly and eager staff. Volunteers were quick to grab our trays and plates. Plenty of room in large hall with round tables. Centerpieces of single flowers were a nice touch.

Overall
3 out of 4. A good solid fish fry and a good way to end the fish fry season. We had been wanting to go to Our Lady of Pillar for some time, but with Interstate 64 being closed the previous two years, it hadn't worked out. Kids wanted to know if there should have been a show at the fish fry with a stage located in the hall. We had to hurry back for Friday evening service, but the kids wanted to stay around to use the playground located adjacent to the parish center.

Reviewed 4/2/10

Other Reviews and Fun Links for Our Lady of Pillar
If you know of other reviews or links, please share via the comment section below!
Reviews
2011 - St. Louis Jewish Light review (scroll down on page - multiple reviews)

3 comments:

  1. The baked salmon is spectacular! Cod, both baked and fried are excellent as well. We've been going here for years. The spaghetti is not "all that" (is anyone Italian in the parish??), but slaw is great. Desserts are almost all homemade and very good. Everyone working is so very nice. They are very efficient. Even if you have to wait a bit, you don't mind because everyone is so nice. We always look forward to Friday night fish fry at OLP!

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  2. We also have been going to OLP for years. Couldn't agree more. The salmon is to die for!! The pieces are quite generous and never overdone. Can't wait for Lent every year. Also agree with the spaghetti. We have said the same thing (isn't anyone Italian in the parish, please!) The rest of the sides are good. Everyone working is very helpful. I love that the kids of the parish are on the cleanup crew and are very polite. They even sell Girl Scout cookies! Everyone we ever take here loves it!

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  3. OLP is my first fish fry as an adult, can you believe that? We will definitely go back. The food is quite good (cod was delicious and the salmon looked very good, and others around us were exclaiming about how good the salmon was). Our daughter had the fish sticks, mac & cheese and green beans, while I had the delicious cole slaw with my cod (as did my husband) and the brown rice. The rice was very good and the slaw was excellent. Not overly wet or mayo-y with good seasoning. Good value too.

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Year End Reviews

Sometimes it is hard to compare fish fries from year to year. Comparing that Cod from 2014 to 2008 can be a little tough. With that in mind, below is a yearly re-cap for each of the following years. We got a little busy in 2015, then 2017-2019 went by in a blur, so we are missing a few years, so sorry!

2020 Year End Recap
2016 Year End Recap
2014 Year End Recap

Fan Poll Winners - Best Fish Fry

Every year Friday Night Fish hosts a fan poll to crown a yearly fan favorite Fish Fry. It's a two step process with Round 1 selecting five finalists, and Round 2 voting from the final five to crown the yearly fan champion. So get ready every year for the annual poll and get your supporters voting for your favorite fish fry! We had some voting "irregularities" in 2014, so we discontinued the poll (for now).

For a recap of past winners see Past Fan Poll Winners.

Past "Fan Poll-Favorite Fish Fry" Winners:
2014: First place tie: Christ, Prince of Peace, Ballwin; Saint Mary Magdalen, Brentwood; St. Ferdinand, Florissant
2013: Saint Mary Magdalen, Brentwood
2012: St. Rose Philippine Duschesne, Florissant
2011: St. Pius, St. Louis
2010: St. Gerard Majella, Kirkwood