Exploring the Tantalizing Menu at A & J Fish and Chicken in Minneapolis

As a long-time resident of Minneapolis I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting local restaurants to try. Recently, I’ve heard great things about A & J Fish and Chicken, a neighborhood staple known for their delicious down-home seafood and fried chicken. After perusing their online menu, I knew I had to check this place out! In this article, I’ll provide an overview of A & J’s menu so you can get a taste of what they have to offer.

An Overview of A & J Fish and Chicken

A & J Fish and Chicken is a casual counter-service restaurant located at 500 E Lake St in Minneapolis. They’re open Monday through Thursday from 11am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday from 11am to midnight, and Sunday from 11am to 11pm The restaurant has been family-owned and operated since 1989, serving up flavorful soul food to the local community for over 30 years.

A & J specializes in fried catfish, whiting, shrimp, chicken wings, and other Southern-inspired classics. Their fish is freshly breaded to order and their chicken wings are juicy and crispy In addition to individual entrees, they offer combination platters so you can sample a bit of everything. Side dishes like french fries, okra, hush puppies, and coleslaw round out the traditional “meat + 3 sides” plate

Beyond seafood and fried chicken, A & J also serves up po’ boys, gyros, burgers, hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and more. There are even a few steak options for heartier appetites. With such diversity on the menu, they aim to satisfy all tastes and cravings.

Mouthwatering Main Courses

The main courses are undoubtedly the stars of the show at A & J Fish and Chicken. Let’s dive into the details of their fried fish, chicken wings, and other hearty dinner entrees.

Crispy, Flaky Fried Fish

Fried catfish is one of A & J’s specialties. It’s available as a fillet, nuggets, steaks, or strips. For the ultimate seafood feast, go for the jumbo catfish strip dinner, which features extra large cuts of catfish battered and fried to golden perfection. Can’t decide between varieties? Opt for the A&J combo dinner featuring 3 pieces each of catfish, chicken, and shrimp.

In addition to catfish, A & J serves up whiting, ocean perch, tilapia, and walleye. The fish dinners include a generous portion of fish paired with fries, coleslaw, and bread for around $10-$15. For lighter appetites, the a la carte small catfish strips are a great option.

Succulent, Juicy Chicken Wings

A & J is also known for their melt-in-your-mouth chicken wings, which are fried until crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside. You can order wings by the piece or in quantities of 6, 12, 20, or 50 wings. The wings are delightfully sauced or seasoned with options like Buffalo, BBQ, and garlic Parmesan.

Can’t decide between fish and chicken? Go for one of the combo platters like the chicken and shrimp (8 jumbo shrimp + 3 wings) or the fish and chicken (3 catfish + 3 wings). These combo plates offer the best of both worlds.

Other Hearty Dinner Entrees

In addition to the fish and chicken, A & J serves up a range of other filling dinner entrees. Options include:

• Chicken dinners with leg quarters, chicken nuggets, gizzards, or livers
• Steak dinners with steak, chicken, or shrimp over rice
• Seafood pasta with your choice of shrimp, tilapia, or whiting
• Flame-grilled ribeye steak with two sides

These entrees range from $10-15 and will surely satisfy any hearty appetite.

Delicious Sandwiches and Sides

A & J doesn’t just serve up platters – they also offer a wide selection of po’ boys, burgers, gyros, and other sandwiches. Let’s explore some of the sandwich highlights:

Po’ Boys Overflowing with Seafood

You can’t visit A & J without trying one of their messy, delicious po’ boy sandwiches. Options include catfish, whiting, and tilapia served up on a hoagie roll. The fish is lightly breaded and fried until golden brown. It’s topped with tartar sauce, lettuce, and tomato for a fresh and filling sandwich.

Juicy Burgers and Gyros

In addition to seafood po’ boys, A & J also serves up burgers, gyros, and other handheld sandwiches:

• Burgers: Build your own burger or try one of their signature ones like the gyro cheeseburger topped with gyro meat and sauce.
• Gyros: Choose between chicken or traditional lamb/beef gyros served in warm pita bread.
• Italian beef: Thinly shaved roast beef is simmered in au jus and served on a French roll.

Each sandwich comes with a side of crispy fries.

More than 20 Side Dishes

No fried fish or chicken dinner is complete without Southern-style side dishes! A & J offers an extensive selection of more than 20 sides including:

• Fries (regular or chili cheese)
• Jojos (potato wedges)
• Okra
• Rice and beans
• Coleslaw
• Hush puppies
• Fried pickles
• Nachos

Mix and match your favorites to complete your platter.

Specials and Combos for Groups

In addition to individual meals, A & J Fish and Chicken also offers great options for feeding larger groups or families. Some of their most popular specials include:

• Family special: 12 pieces catfish + 12 wings, fries, 2-liter soda ($43.99)
• Football special: Catfish, wings, fries, coleslaw, 2-liter soda ($65)
• Party platters: 50 wings or 25 catfish strips ($61.99 each)

These platters offer great bang for your buck when dining with a group. You can also build custom combo plates with different types of fish, chicken, and sides.

Sweet Treats Menu

After all that savory and fried food, you might need something sweet. Luckily, A & J offers a nice selection of desserts including:

• Slices of cake like chocolate, red velvet, or carrot cake
• Cheesecake plain or with strawberry topping
• Sweet potato pie
• Bread pudding
• Peach cobbler

The huge portions of fish and chicken will surely leave you full, but don’t forget to save room for a sweet treat! It’s the perfect way to end an indulgent soul food feast.

Satisfying Traditional Southern Flavors

After reviewing the menu in depth, it’s clear that A & J Fish and Chicken serves up authentic down-home cooking with emphasis on fried seafood and chicken. Their menu features generous portions, combo platters, and daily specials – all at reasonable prices. Locals have been coming here for delicious soul food for over 30 years.

Next time you’re craving catfish, shrimp, wings, or a juicy po’ boy, head over to A & J Fish and Chicken in Minneapolis. Their mouthwatering menu highlights traditional Southern cooking using fresh, quality ingredients. I’m certainly glad I discovered this neighborhood gem and can’t wait to become a regular customer!