Proving to be one of the most popular dinner events staged throughout the year, the ‘fish fry’ put on by the Escalon American Legion drew nearly five dozen people on Saturday, April 18.

The third Saturday of the month dinners are hosted several times during the year with menus ranging from soups and stews to Italian night, the fish fry to the annual chili cook off. They are put on at the American Legion Hall on Second Street.

Both fried and grilled fish were on the menu this past Saturday and there were also a number of side dishes for diners to enjoy. They included coleslaw, several types of salads, chili beans, pasta and more. A dessert table held offerings such as brownies, cupcakes, breads and cake.

Black bass, rock cod and ling cod were the featured fish varieties.

Legion officials said the count of diners eating in was 56, though that didn’t take into account those who came back for seconds, or those who came in and got ‘to go’ containers of food to take home and enjoy.

The dinners are a longstanding tradition for the local Gustafson-Thompson Post, as a way for the Legion members to thank community residents for their support throughout the year.