🐟 Cleveland’s 106-Year Fish Fry Tradition Still Going Strong

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

It’s a piece of Old Cleveland that keeps kicking with fried fish and golden memories – where polka, pierogis, beer and bowling bring generations together.

This is The Nash — the Slovenian National Home in Slavic Village, still thriving after 106 years.

Born in 1919 as a haven for immigrant steelworkers, it once anchored a bustling Old World neighborhood that built Cleveland’s industrial rise.

Walls lined with Slovene of the Year photos, vintage wooden floors, and a retro basement bowling alley (score by pencil!) transport you back to another time.

More than a meal or a religious observance, fish fry Fridays at this spot pushes more buttons than the accordion player.

Check out the wooden floors. The décor. The 1950s-era bowling alley. The vintage bar that looks like something out of an old movie. The walls of old photos. The polka band.

Timeless.

Other places that have been going strong fried frys and golden memories for decades: Flat Iron, Gunselman’s, Ridgewood Inn, Academy Tavern, Rowley Inn and Der Braumeister.

Cleveland takes its fish fries seriously. So we tracked down 36 of the best spots across the city serving up crispy, golden, crave-worthy plates.

Inside the 216 Scoop Fish Fry Guide, you’ll find:

• 36 local fish fry spots worth the trip
• Neighborhood favorites and hidden gems
• The story behind Cleveland’s legendary fish fry tradition

Whether you're hunting for perch, cod, or a classic church hall Friday fry, this guide has you covered.

💲 Limited launch price: $4.99 (normally $19.99)

James Harden has brought a new swagger to the Wine and Gold. He’s also bringing the wine.

Today, The Beard will roll into Speedway/7-Eleven store at 880 N. Rocky Road Drive in Berea to sign bottles of his line of J-Harden Wines.

The future Hall of Famer became a wine lover while attending dinners and card games with teammates over his 17-year career.

His taste buds have aged like fine wine…

Drinking hard liquor became tougher over time for Harden, who changed his elixir of choice to California Cabernet Sauvignon – the most popular item in his line.

Priced around $16.99 per bottle, J-Harden Wines are crafted to deliver, as he says, "swag" in every sip and approachable flavors for both novices and enthusiasts.

He’ll announce the exact time of his appearance on social media.

It looks and feels like the ‘80s and ‘90s, except for the prices.

Here comes the Totally Rad Vintage Fest at the IX Center – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The retro bash rolls out artifacts -- clothes, records, toys, décor -- from the decades that spawned MTV, New Wave, grunge, Ms. Pac-Man, Tupac, PlayStation and Beanie Babies.

It also features vendors, an old-school arcade, lookback museum and throwback photo ops. Info.

You also get to stroll through what will soon be a memory.

The IX Center will bid adieu after its final show -- 60th Annual Car Parts Warehouse I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama (March 27-29).

Built in 1942 as a bomber assembly plant, it’s one the nation's largest exhibition halls -- drawing millions of visitors annually and becoming a staple in the event scene for 41 years.

The sprawling 2.2-million-square-foot landmark was rumored to house an EV battery plant for an unidentified Fortune 100 company. Amazon briefly considered the site but passed.

Now, there are no other takeover deals, and it could end up being an affiliate of Hopkins airport or torn down.

FRIDAY

MIX: Material Girl: The monthly soiree celebrates Women’s History Month with an ‘80s dance party that features the songs of Madonna, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Kate Bush and Blondie. 6 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Info.

Harry Styles Disco: The Mahall’s dance party celebrates the English pop maestro and his new album, ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’ (out today). 7 p.m. Info.

SATURDAY

10^th annual Mac 'n' Cheese Throwdown: The fest features more than 20 chefs competing to create the classic American comfort food. It benefits. W.A.G.S. 4 Kids. Noon at the Tenk Building. Info.

9th Annual Green Mile St. Patrick's Bar Crawl: The Kamms Corners party gets an early start on St. Patrick’s Day with drink specials, live music & Irish pipe bands. Noon to 7 p.m. Info.

SUNDAY

Cavs vs. Celtics: The Wine and Gold has been on a hot streak and will be put to the test when it faces Boston in what could be a playoff preview. 1 p.m. at Rocket Arena. Info.

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Hippie, hurray!

Black light posters – those glowing artworks known for their wild flair -- have electric ties to the hippie-dippy 1960s… and Cleveland.

Fluorescent paints were pioneered in the 1930s by the Switzer brothers, initially for military and practical uses.

They would go on to start the Day-Glo Color Corp. in 1946 – and little did they know that their fluorescent freak-outs would define the look of the psychedelic era.

At 5 tonight, Waterloo Arts, in collaboration with Day-Glo, will roll out Cleveland's Annual Black Light Exhibition: PSYCHEDELIC! 

Whoa, the show features works by 47 artists. Info.

Hessler Street, University Circle, 1970-’71. The street became a hot bed for hippiedom in the 1960s and kept the freak flag flying for decades, even as development took hold all around it.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

57 °F 🌡️ 36 °F | 🌧️ (Rain / Breezy & Mild) | 80% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 18 mph (≈ 16 knots)

62 °F 🌡️ 42 °F | 🌧️➡️🌨️ (Rain to Snow Showers / Windy) | 60% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 20 mph (≈ 17 knots)

50 °F 🌡️ 38 °F | 🌥️ (Mostly Cloudy / Chilly) | 15% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 12 mph (≈ 10 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Home vs. Celtics, 1:00 PM March 8 (Sunday)

Home vs. Angels, 3:05 PM March 6 (Friday)

Home vs. Padres, 3:05 PM March 7 (Saturday)

Away vs. Rockies, 4:10 PM March 8 (Sunday)

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