Annual Fish Fry
Each Saturday afternoon between Memorial Day and Labor Day, everyone is invited to a meal featuring the best fried trout, mackerel or blue fish that can be found on the island, depending on the catch that day. This has been a village tradition for almost 80 years. A large plate is $18 (cash) and includes two pieces of locally caught fish, southern potato salad, cole slaw, and hush puppies, with sweet or unsweet tea, and homemade desserts available for a donation. There is also a small plate available this year for $13.
The fish fry is held every Saturday at the Hatteras Fire Station from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend, from 5:00 p.m. until dinner is sold out.
Fish Fry begins this year on Saturday, May 23, 2026 – 5:00 pm and is every Saturday except June 6, due to graduation.
This event is sponsored by the Ladies Fire Auxiliary and the proceeds go to help local organizations such as the Civic Association, local churches, and the food pantry
A Little History of the Hatteras Community Fish Fry
found in The Island Breeze June 1998
It’s Beginning:
The Fish Fry began on a small scale in the 1940’s, the brainchild of the Hatteras United Methodist Church’s Women’s group. When the Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1959 and its Ladies Auxiliary was organized, the church women decided to include this new women’s group in their weekly efforts. Then when the Civic Center came into being, this group was given a share in the work and in the proceeds.
Location:
The fish were cooked and served on the Old Baseball Diamond in Hatteras Village (across from the present day Happy Belly and Ocean Center). Hatteras fishermen donated the fish and the women went down to the docks to collect fish armed with their knives because they had to clean the fish themselves. The fish were cooked in a huge skillet over a makeshift “burner” fashioned from concrete block and a grill, fired by wood. The fish are now purchased locally and brought freshly filleted and delivered to the Fire Station kitchen on Saturday afternoon assuring us that we have the freshest fish in town.
Tradition:
At one time, the families in the village brought corn meal, pepper, pancake mix, and canned milk to bread fish and mix hushpuppies for the fryers. They also brought in cabbage, which was shredded by an ice shaver that was placed upside down in a cabinet, onions, and mayo to prepare the coleslaw. Dedicated village cooks made 10 lbs. of potato salad at home each week. Homemade dessert was also provided.
This annual tradition brings our community together each Saturday from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Generations of families return yearly to the Hatteras Fish Fry to add to their Island memories.
Helping the Community & Hatteras Island
Have you ever said to yourself, I’d like to pay forward or help others? This is one way to help support many. At the end of the Fish Fry season, the earnings after expenses are split 4 ways: the Hatteras Fire Department, the Hatteras Ladies Fire Auxiliary, The Hatteras Civic Association, and the Hatteras United Methodist Church. These organizations then use their share to support other local requests such as the Hatteras Library, the Hatteras UMC Community Preschool, Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men Food Pantry, CERT, Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation, Hatteras Church Angel Gift Program, Hatteras Assembly of God Church, Salvation Army, Costa Rica Mission Trip, Hatteras Island Meals, Hatteras Food Pantry, as well as many others. The funding touches almost everyone on the island at some point.
On behalf of the Hatteras Community Fish Fry Committee, I am seeking your monetary donation to help keep our expenses to a minimum and to increase our profits.
Warm regards,
Linda O’Neal, Hatteras Community Fish Fry Coordinator
QUESTIONS? 252-475-4390
Monetary donations can be made to Hatteras Community Fish Fry and mailed to PO Box 164, Hatteras NC 27943 or dropped off to Stephanie Tenpenny at the Hatteras United Methodist Charge office in Hatteras. Church office hours are Wed. 9-12 or Fri. 11-1 or bring to the morning Sunday Worship service at Little Grove UMC (8:15 AM); Buxton UMC (9:30 AM), Hatteras UMC (11:15 AM).
Hatteras Village 