Update March 12, 4 p.m.: Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is asking fish frys to go take-out only.
And then there were eight.
More than four thousand (!!!) votes came in over the last week, and eight Ultimate Pittsburgh Fish Fry contenders are moving on. We’ve gone from a Savory Sixteen to the Elite Eight (or Elite Ate?!), and some real powerhouses have emerged.
(Click here to download and print a high-resolution PDF version of the bracket to see how the matchups played out.)
Now things get tough as we open voting to decide our Final Four — emphasis on the Fin. (Pun, engaged.)
Key match-ups to watch for:
- In the fire halls & social clubs category: Expect a photo finish in the Swissvale Fire Department vs. North Braddock VFD contest — but based on the last round’s totals, Swissvale has the edge. Both are mega popular, though. We tried to visit both of them last Friday, and they were sold out by 5 p.m.
- In the eateries division: Keith Heinritz Katering looks like the one to beat in the eateries class — or maybe the whole thing, having earned 1,166 votes in the last round, more than any other bracket contender 👀. But Emil’s isn’t slacking either, especially with their giant fish sandwiches that may be the heaviest sandwich we’ve ever held.
- In the churches – city category: St. Mary of the Mount earned a whopping 925 votes in round two, begging the question: Can they be beat Shadyside’s Sacred Heart in the city churches category?
- And in the ‘burbs, it’s a battle of the Serbian orthodox churches, where St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in McKeesport and St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in McKeesport are set to spar.
As always, you decide what happens next.
Elite Eight voting begins now and ends at noon on Tuesday, March 17. Vote as many times and as often as you’d like.
With the divisions decided, a royal rumble of sorts will commence, with the winners of each category facing off against each other until only one is left standing or should we say swimming.
Decide which fish go to the Final Four
Like last round, you’ve got less than a week to vote. Use the form below to vote by noon on Tuesday, March 17. The Final Four will be posted Thursday, March 19.