How the Pittsburgh Lenten Fish Fry Map was created
Fish fry meals + coding = Pittsburgh

The story of the Pittsburgh Lenten Fish Fry Map involves a bad sense of direction, a love of Pittsburgh and two things that are as Pittsburgh as it gets — fried fish and tech.
About 10 years ago, Hollen Barmer went to her first Pittsburgh fish fry. Not a native — she’s originally from Memphis — Barmer loved the “quirky and special experience” of a fish fry and the excuse to go to churches and other places she wouldn’t normally visit.
And since she was still learning to navigate the region, Barmer made a fish fry map using Google Maps in 2012. People started finding the map, and its popularity as a local resource grew from there.
Then, thanks to a Twitter conversation, Barmer met members of Code for Pittsburgh and 2016 was the first year for the Pittsburgh Lenten Fish Fry Map as it is now, created with the help of the team there. (Check out the interactive version here.)

“I liked that it was documenting something that was unique to the region,” said Christian Gass, a member of the team that coded the map. “Around here, the fish fry is almost secular,” he said adding that people don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy a fish fry. Plus, as someone who makes maps, it was a labor of love.
And now that the map exists in a new format, every year it can be updated and improved, Gass said.
“It’s definitely something that we can be proud of,” said Mark Howe, who also works on the map through Code for Pittsburgh. And each year, more details like if there are pierogi offered can be added. And if you know of a fish fry that isn’t on the map, here’s how to tell the creators.
When it comes to the combination of coding and Pittsburgh, not only are those two great things about Pittsburgh, but it’s also a way to preserve traditions, Barmer said.
“I love traditions and I love history,” she said, adding that if the map can help a tradition continue and “uphold the enthusiasm, then she’s met her goals. “It’s why I love this so much.”
Mapping the bracket

Ultimate Pittsburgh Fish Fry map
While the Lenten Fish Fry map helps users find fish fry offerings throughout the region, The Incline made this second map to help you taste test before voting in the Ultimate Pittsburgh Fish Fry bracket, with more details on the frys below. They’re open Fridays unless otherwise indicated. (Check out the interactive map here.)
Don’t forget — the first round of voting closes at 10 a.m. Monday. Vote here.
Aliquippa Croatian Center
2365 Concord St. (Aliquippa)
3 to 7 p.m.
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Allegheny Elks #339
400 Cedar Ave. (Deutschtown)
5:30 to 8 p.m.
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Ancient Order of Hibernians Division #32
302 Mansfield Blvd. (Carnegie)
4 to 7 p.m.
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Ascension Church/Saint Philip
114 Berry St. (Ingram)
4 to 7 p.m. (3 to 7 p.m. on March 30)
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Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
45 N. Sprague Ave. (Bellevue)
4 to 7 p.m.
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Church of the Epiphany
164 Washington Place (Downtown)
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Club 22
526 Monongahela Ave. (Glassport)
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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Connellsville Twp VFD
905 Fireman St. (Connellsville)
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.
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Corpus Christi
803 Market St. (McKeesport)
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Elliott West-End Athletic Association
747 Herschel St. at the park’s candy stand (Elliot)
4 to 7 p.m.
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Holy Angels
408 Baldwin Road (Hays)
11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
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Keith Heinritz Katering
209 Brinton Ave (Trafford)
10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Kretzler’s Tavern
2240 Babcock Blvd (Ross)
11 a.m. to midnight
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Lorenz Cafe
718 Lorenz Ave. (Elliott)
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Monroeville FD Company #3
2601 Third St. (Monroeville)
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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North Braddock VFD
1318 Wolfe Ave. (North Braddock)
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Our Lady of Grace
310 Kane Blvd. (Scott)
4:30 to 7 p.m. (3:30 to 7 p.m. March 30)
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Penn Hills Bar & Grill
11507 Frankstown Road (Penn Hills)
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Riley’s Pour House
215 East Main St. (Carnegie)
11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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R Time at Rene’s
1030 5th Ave. (East McKeesport)
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Sacred Heart
325 Emerson St. (Shadyside)
5 to 7:30 p.m.
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St. Irenaeus
387 Maryland Ave. (Oakmont)
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.
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St. Joan of Arc
6470 Liberty Road (South Park)
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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St. Joseph
1313 Fifth Ave. (Coraopolis)
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 6:45 p.m.
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Saints Simon and Jude
1607 Greentree Road (Scott)
4 to 7 p.m.
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St. Teresa of Avila
1000 Avila Court (Ross)
4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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St. Mary of the Assumption
2510 Middle Road (Glenshaw)
4:30 to 7 p.m.
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St. Mary of the Mount
131 Bigham St. (Mount Washington)
4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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St. Maurice
2001 Ardmore Blvd. (Forest Hills)
3 to 7 p.m.
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St. Monica
116 Thorndale Drive (Beaver Falls)
4 to 7 p.m.
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Swissvale VFD
7400 Irvine St. (Swissvale)
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Wholey’s Kitchen
1711 Penn Ave. (Strip District)
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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