Bites Nearby: Must Try Friday Fish Fry in Oakdale

Founded back in 1962 by Hastings man Larry Yanz, the family-owned Bierstube restaurant has now grown to four other locations in the Twin Cities: Inver Grove Heights, Red Wing, White Bear Lake and Oakdale.

If the parking lot looks full at the , don’t let that deter you from heading inside—there’s seating for more than 200.

Not much has changed on the menu at the Oakdale JW’s Bierstube, which is a real testament to the consistency and quality of its foods.

For those who love a good beer-battered fish fry, this location is not to be missed! In fact, every Friday for the past several years this establishment has offered up an all-you-can-eat cod fish fry ($11.99-a special during Lent). 

As you would expect with a beer-batter, the outside tastes sweet and crispy and the inside of the fillet is flaky, tender and succulent. To achieve this, the chef slowly submerges each fillet into hot oil with care.   

Make sure to squeeze a bit of lemon over it and then dip it into the homemade tartar sauce. This fish fry is served with sides of freshly prepared coleslaw and Bierstube’s crinkle-cut fries. Pair it with a frosty half-liter of Paulaner ($6.25). 

Now, for those of you who are not so fond of fish, order up a Bacon Bleu Burger ($6.99/one third of a pound). This 100 percent grade A black Angus beef burger is brushed with a chunky homemade bleu cheese dressing and then sandwiched between a fresh egg-dough bun. 

Here’s another great reason to hit the Beirstube on Fridays: From 3-6 p.m. it’s "double-up-for-a-buck" happy hour on bottle and tap beer, and single-pour liquor drinks.  

A beer-battered fish fry, icy cold beer for a buck, large flat screen TVs and March Madness? That works.

JW’s Bierstube is located at 7121 10th St. N. in Oakdale (in the Bergen Plaza). For more information call 651-731-8381