Croatian Cultural Club: Great Fish, Great Atmosphere: Ferak

JOLIET, IL - On Ash Wednesday, I traveled to the east side of Joliet to visit the Knights of Columbus hall on Cass Street. The Lenten fish fries there are legendary, but I don't want any of you to think the Knights of Columbus is the only place in Joliet serving up great fish. On the west side, Joliet's Croatian Cultural Club, right behind St. Joe's Park, is a must-stop for Friday night fish fry lovers.

If you turn onto Clement from Theodore Street, you will probably notice rows of cars parked along the street. That means you're in the right place. The building's address is 1503 Clement St.

The Croatian Club does a ton of carryout orders, but the social hall is where the fun's at. Whether you have a young family or are senior citizens, the hall is packed with people who are talking, laughing and smiling, just having a great time.

"The Croatian Cultural Club has been around for over 50 years and is filled with friends, fun and laughter," its website reads.

Last Friday night, my family headed to the club, meeting up with my parents, John and Cathy Ferak. You never know who you meet at the Croatian Club. There was a Joliet Police officer at the club, one of my mom's former kindergarten students. That officer's mother was busy handling orders and serving hundreds of pieces of fish during the course of the night.

Another Friday night volunteer was Joliet City Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson. He, too, was getting a workout, delivering heavy trays of fish dinners from the kitchen to the hall.

After eating Alaskan walleye two days earlier at the east side Knights of Columbus, I needed a different fish. At the Croatian club, I ordered the baked cod. The menu features shrimp, cod and catfish. You will not go wrong if you order the baked cod.

It's a great tasting fish, believe me.

Croatian club fish dinners take place on Fridays from 4 to 7:30 p.m. The club opens to the public daily at 2 p.m.

My last piece of advice: if you plan to eat inside the Croatian Club for one of the Friday fish fries, I encourage you to call ahead and make reservations.

The phone number for the club is 815-723-3154.

The club also hosts quality area bands on weekends.

Last Friday as we were enjoying the company and our delicious fish, Silverstrings took to the stage at 7:30 p.m.

The band played sing-along tunes from The Georgia Satellites: "Keep Your Hands to Yourself," and Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl." After about 15 to 20 minutes, the Croatian club looked like a wedding reception. About 20 people were on the dance floor, moving to the groove.

For more information about the fish fries, visit the website here for Joliet's Croatian Cultural Club.

RELATED PATCH COVERAGE: Ferak: East-Side Knights Of Columbus Walleye Is Winner

Fish Fry Fridays: Where To Find Them Near Joliet