How the Pittsburgh Lenten Fish Fry Map was created

Fish fry meals + coding = Pittsburgh

pittsburgh_lenten_fish_fry_map
Screenshot / 2018 Pittsburgh Lenten Fish Fry Map
MJ Slaby
MJ Slaby

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.)

pittsburgh_lenten_fish_fry_map
Screenshot / 2018 Pittsburgh Lenten Fish Fry Map

“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

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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