There is a very specific sound that makes people forget whatever they were talking about. Crunch.
Especially when it comes from a fresh piece of cornmeal-crusted fish. This Indiana Friday-night favorite builds on one of the Midwest’s most familiar food traditions, using affordable fillets such as swai, tilapia, whiting, and perch.
These cuts helped bring fish fries within reach of ordinary family budgets, turning a simple dinner into a weekly ritual. Trina Kinchelow and her sons took that tradition as the starting point for a carryout business with an ambitious goal: serve the best fish in the city.
The reputation has spread through social media and word of mouth, proving that people will happily do the advertising when dinner hits the right spot. Best to open the box before the smell distracts everyone in the car.
A Cheap Fillet With a Big History
Long before delivery apps existed, Friday fish was already a big deal across Indiana. The habit started with the Catholic tradition of skipping meat on Fridays, especially during Lent.
Families needed something filling, and fish became the answer.
Over the years, that simple rule grew into a full social event. Churches, community groups, and local diners started hosting fish fries that pulled whole neighborhoods together.
Indiana, along with Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin, became a hot spot for the custom, and the tradition never really left.
Here is the fun part. Affordable fish has always been the hero of these nights, because feeding a crowd on a budget matters.
Today, mild fillets like swai and tilapia fill that role perfectly, and Taste This Fish puts them front and center on its menu.
A meal there connects to something much older than the building itself. Every crunchy bite carries a little piece of Midwest history, served in a takeout box instead of a church basement.
For anyone curious about local food culture, this is a tasty way to learn. Pick a fillet, think about the generations who lined up for Friday fish before, and enjoy being part of the story.
History lessons rarely come with hush puppies, so this one deserves extra credit. Friday is the classic choice, of course, though the fryer stays busy all week long.
The Seven Five Dollar Holla Deserves a Shoutout
Some menu names just make people grin. The Seven Five Dollar Holla is one of them, and it has become a favorite special at Taste This Fish.
It often features swai or tilapia fillets paired with hush puppies and fries.
Swai and tilapia are smart choices for a deal like this. Both fish have a mild, clean flavor that soaks up seasoning without tasting too strong.
That makes them friendly picks for kids, picky eaters, and anyone who claims not to like fish.
The hush puppies deserve their own moment. Little golden balls of fried cornmeal, they are crunchy outside and soft inside.
Fries round out the box, making it a complete meal without any extra effort.
Specials can change, so checking the menu online or calling ahead before visiting is a good habit. The restaurant also shares updates through its website and social media, which helps planners figure out what is cooking that week.
Budget-friendly food that still tastes carefully made is harder to find than it sounds. Plenty of places cut corners when the price drops.
This special proves a cheap fish cut can still be seasoned well, fried crispy, and served with pride. It is the Friday fish fry spirit squeezed into one catchy name, and honestly, saying it out loud is half the fun.
Perch, Catfish, Whiting, and Friends
Catfish fans tend to talk the loudest about this place, and for good reason. Catfish fillet dinners and catfish nuggets show up again and again as crowd favorites.
Some diners even ask for their fish fried hard for extra crunch.
Variety is a big part of the appeal. The menu lists catfish, perch, swai, tilapia, and whiting, and most can be ordered as fillets, whole fish, or sandwiches.
That means a quick lunch and a big family dinner can come from the same counter.
Perch has deep roots in Indiana. Yellow perch lives in local waters and is known for firm, flaky white meat with a gentle taste.
Ordering a perch dinner here is a nice nod to the state’s fishing heritage.
Whiting is another quiet star, often tucked into a sandwich with soft bread. It is light and easy to eat on the go, which works well for anyone grabbing food between errands.
Not sure where to begin? A smart plan is ordering two different fish and sharing them.
Comparing textures side by side turns dinner into a mini tasting tour. Catfish brings richness, perch brings flakiness, and tilapia keeps things mellow.
Each one wears the same crispy, well-seasoned coating, so every choice feels like home cooking with a crunchy personality.
Sides That Refuse to Sit Quietly
Fish may get top billing, but the sides here have serious fan clubs. Fried okra, fried green tomatoes, collard greens, coleslaw, and baked spaghetti all pop up in conversations about the restaurant.
Each brings its own flavor to the table.
Baked spaghetti with fried fish might surprise first-time visitors from outside the Midwest or South. In many soul food kitchens, though, the pairing is a classic.
The catfish nugget and spaghetti combo has picked up plenty of attention for exactly that reason.
Coleslaw is the side people debate the most. The homemade version leans a bit sweet, which some love and others find different from what they expected.
Trying it at least once is the only fair way to decide.
Fried green tomatoes add a tangy, crunchy bite. Okra brings a toasty, nutty flavor that pairs nicely with fish.
Collard greens offer a softer, savory balance to all that crispy food.
Save room for dessert. Peach cobbler is a frequent mention, and a warm scoop of sweet fruit is a strong way to end a fried feast.
A good tip is ordering one extra side to share. Mixing and matching makes the meal feel like a Sunday dinner spread, even on a busy Tuesday.
Fried mushrooms, fried corn, and lemon pepper wings round out a seriously generous lineup.
Family Built on East 25th Street
Every neighborhood needs a spot that feels like it belongs to the people around it. Taste This Fish sits at 3614 East 25th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46218, right in the heart of the city’s east side.
It is a Black-owned business with family at its core.
Trina Kinchelow and her sons built the restaurant together. Their mission was simple and bold, offering the best fish in Indianapolis.
That kind of goal takes long hours, hot kitchens, and plenty of teamwork.
The menu blends fish and seafood with American and soul food traditions. That mix reflects recipes passed through families and kitchens for generations.
Some diners say the batter reminds them of how a grandmother used to cook, which is high praise in the fish world.
Supporting a family business means money stays close to home. It helps keep neighborhood corners lively and gives local workers a place to earn and grow.
The staff is often described as friendly and welcoming. Small touches, like a warm greeting at the counter, make a quick pickup feel personal.
Visitors traveling through Indy have mentioned feeling right at home.
Fun detail? Some guests have spotted a photo of comedian Mike Epps inside the shop.
It is a small sign that this little carryout has drawn attention from well beyond the block, while still feeling like a neighborhood kitchen.
Carryout Smarts for a Smooth Pickup
Don’t expect a big dining room. Taste This Fish is a small carryout spot, so the plan is to grab food and go.
Picnic in the car, dinner at home, or lunch back at the office all work great.
Parking can be a little confusing on the first visit. There is parking behind the building, and spots in front are available too.
Knowing that ahead of time saves a few laps around the block.
Hours are generous. The kitchen opens at 11 AM every day and stays open later on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
Weekday closing times are earlier, so checking the current schedule before heading out is wise.
Delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats also carry the menu. Many fans say the fish still arrives hot and crispy, which is impressive for fried food.
One handy trick involves asking for fish fried hard. That extra time in the fryer gives thicker fillets more crunch all the way through.
Grabbing extra napkins is never a bad idea either. Fried fish, tartar sauce, and car seats are not always best friends, so a little planning keeps the ride home tidy.
Friday Nights Never Tasted So Indiana
Ask around an Indianapolis office on a Thursday, and someone is probably already planning Friday fish. That habit runs deep in Indiana.
Taste This Fish has quickly become a go-to stop for keeping it alive.
The state is famous for its breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, often called the unofficial state sandwich. Still, the Friday fish fry stands proudly beside it as an equally loved tradition.
Both say a lot about how Hoosiers like their food, crispy and filling.
Plenty of newcomers have found a taste of home here. People who moved from Chicago, the South, and other Indiana towns have praised the fish for reminding them of where they grew up.
That says a lot about the cooking.
Planning a Friday visit is easy. Arriving a bit early beats the dinner rush, and later weekend hours help night owls too.
Families can split a big order of catfish, perch, and sides to feed everyone.
Bluegill and crappie may be the panfish of Indiana lakes, but affordable fillets like swai and tilapia now carry the Friday torch in city kitchens. The tradition simply adapted to modern life.
So go ahead and start a weekly ritual. A crispy fillet, a few hush puppies, and a slice of cobbler make a mighty fine way to wrap up the week.
Indiana has been doing it for generations, after all.
