I’m on a quest to find the best fish fries in Westmoreland County. I decided to go straight to a reliable source: a group text with high school friends who have been loyal County residents.
After inquiring about where to begin my quest, S. chimed back immediately, “Norvelt! The fire hall has the best fish fry around!”
I arrived on Ash Wednesday about twenty minutes after they opened and the parking lot was already packed! Visitors should not be worried about logistics, though, as the Norvelt VFD’s fish operations are a well-oiled machine. After meandering around an intense, multi-lane line, I placed my order for a fish sandwich and haluski (which I definitely mispronounced). I also noticed a sculpture of Eleanor Roosevelt on a wall above the staging area for the fish fry.
The fish sandwich could not have been a better introduction to fish fry season in Western PA. It was fresh and perfectly battered. Well-cooked throughout, the fish was flaky in the middle and crispy on the ends. It was enhanced by the super soft, fresh bun. While I devoured it, I reflected on how appreciative that I returned to PA that had such outstanding regional foods like this one. I was also glad that I had strategically eaten lightly to this point of the day as the portion size was so large!
S.’s recommendation of heading to Norvelt could not have been a more perfect answer as I had been waiting to take a “field trip” to Norvelt. I just finished reading the excellent history “Hope in Hard Times” by local St. Vincent College professor Timothy Kelly, Margaret Power, and local Seton Hill professor Michael Cary.* The book explains Norvelt’s founding by the federal government as a response to poverty intensified by the Great Depression. A socialist experiment, the community was designed to provide its residents with housing superior to that which the families experienced in mining communities. Homes were constructed with amenities like electricity and running water. Large lots provided families opportunities to engage in agricultural pursuits and to ensure consistent food for both their families and the community. The book was excellent in describing the roots of the project, which was spearheaded by Eleanor Roosevelt (from whom the town is named with the last syllables of her name, “-nor” and “-velt”). While the execution of her vision was imperfect, the town was successful in providing not only stability, but the potential for the future economic growth of its residents as it evolved into home ownership. I especially appreciated the last chapter of the book, which examines the change in culture and politics in Westmoreland County since the founding of Norvelt and raises the provocative question: Who deserves economic support from the government?
After I finished my meal from the car (oh, pandemic!), I drove around Norvelt and really loved the community that I saw. Many of the original homes are still standing and are in excellent condition. Constructed to be anchored around the community center where the fish fry took place, it was apparent that Norvelt’s founding value of community is going strong even as it approaches the 90th anniversary of its founding.
Norvelt Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry
2325 Mount Pleasant Road, Mt. Pleasant PA 15666
https://www.facebook.com/Norvelt-Volunteer-Fire-Department-Club-Roosevelt-Hall-187103461330962/
* Excellent independent bookstores in Westmoreland County from which to purchase this book are:
Second Chapter Books, Ligonier
Completely Booked, Murrysville