Bertha Mae's Kitchen: A Hidden Gem for Fried Fish Lovers in Toledo

If you're in Toledo, Ohio, and craving comforting, home-style cooking, look no further than Bertha Mae's Kitchen. Tucked away at 840 N Summit St, this charming restaurant offers a delightful array of fried fish that has locals singing its praises. Known for its friendly atmosphere and welcoming staff, Bertha Mae's Kitchen is the epitome of a cozy, family-run eatery where good food and great service go hand in hand.

Step inside, and you’ll immediately feel the warmth of a place that feels like home. With dishes like the 10-piece wing meal and mouth-watering entrees featuring fried catfish, walleye, and grouper, every meal here is crafted with love and care. Just ask Nykeshia Witcher, who raved about the seasoned perfection of the fish, and you’ll understand why Bertha Mae's is often referred to as a hidden gem.

The menu doesn’t stop at fish; the sides—ranging from classic fries and coleslaw to fried okra and spaghetti—complement the main courses beautifully. Jeffrey Poynter enthusiastically declared Bertha Mae's fish offerings to be the best he’s ever tasted, demonstrating that this establishment isn’t just another place to grab a quick bite; it’s a culinary destination. The fried okra and grits come highly recommended, adding that extra twist to the meal experience.

What truly sets Bertha Mae's apart is not just the food but the sense of community it fosters. Customers have highlighted the genuine kindness of the staff, who treat everyone like family, making it a place you'll want to return to time and again. Whether you opt for an extra piece of catfish or indulge in a classic walleye meal, you’re guaranteed that every dish is a testament to locally sourced ingredients and authentic cooking techniques.

Take it from Michael Brand, who described it as the best fried catfish in Toledo, or from Michelle Hammer, whose Tik-Tok discovery turned out to be a culinary revelation. The call to adventure in dining is strong here—we encourage you to answer it. Bertha Mae's Kitchen is more than just a restaurant; it’s an invitation to savor life, one delicious bite at a time.

Delivery
Takeaway
Dine-in

Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Nykeshia Witcher

29/09/2025

This was the best fish I have had in years. It was seasoned to perfection and fried just right with all the crunchy bits. It's the place you didn't know you were mustn't until you get there! The staff were kind and loving. The Akshay was friendly. Definitely a jewel!

Michael Brand

30/07/2025

Best fried catfish in Toledo. I had sides of spaghetti and coleslaw that were both very delicious. I also got extra hush puppies, my favorite. Friendly staff. Home style cooking at its finest. Highly recommended.

William “T Town Timmy” Wilson

29/07/2025

Quaint little ma pa restaurant, very clean Interior. Serving primarily fried fish of varying types. They have different sides, fries, coleslaw, fried okra, spaghetti. I ordered the walleye meal which was $18, you get one walleye fillet, I had two sides which I ordered fries and spaghetti. Along with a slice of bread. You can get hush puppies if you like those. I feel like the price was a little high but the food was tasty and the people were super friendly. I wasn't mad as I am supporting a locally owned ma and Pa restaurant.

Jeffrey Poynter

06/07/2025

Not your typical fish story! Wow!, just Wow!. To say that Bertha Mae's just serves fried fish, is like saying Michael Jordan only dunked a basketball, Tom Brady only threw a football... etc! I have had fried catfish, perch, walleye, halibut, cod, whitefish, flounder, snapper, and I mean a high variety, at numerous restaurants HANDS DOWN, BEST fried catfish and grouper I have ever had! Dance in your chair, singing songs while your chewing, Ah-mazing! If you EVER get the opportunity, by all means you better take it and ENJOY! The fried okra and the grits were spot on as well!

Michelle Hammer

06/07/2025

I saw a Tik-Tok video and knew I had to try it. The food and service was amazing !!! I got the cat fish dinner and spaghetti it was the best I ever had. This will definitely be a regular spot to eat. My daughter got the grouper sandwich and she said it was delicious. The Best !!!

Casey Crowe

25/06/2025

everything i had was very good and seasoned well. food was cheap, customer service was 10/10, it was extremely clean, and the food came out fast and it stayed hot. could not think of a complaint if i tried. gotta check them out

Angela Stanton

24/06/2025

I've been wanting to try this place ever since it opened, but our schedules would never match up until today. When I arrived there were 2 guys waiting for their orders and the waitress and cook. I asked a few questions and then decided on the fried catfish dinner with fries and spaghetti and a Faygo red pop. As soon as I sat down, 2 ladies came in and ordered follow by several guys on lunch followed by another lady and then a couple more guys. My food came out fresh and hot. Contrary to a few reviews I read, the fish was seasoned and fried perfectly. When I was ordering, the waitress asked if I wanted salt/pepper because the cook doesn't use those. I didn't need to add anything to the fish but definitely needed salt for the fries. I tasted the spaghetti and it is some of the best that I've had in a while. I enjoyed my dinner so much that I ordered a walleye dinner with 2 sides of spaghetti and peach cobbler to bring home with me so that I wouldn't have to cook all weekend, just reheat things. I will definitely plan my appointments so that I can stop in again for another meal. I told the waitress that they should have a fish sampler because that's really all I wanted was fish and more fish. Today's choices were catfish, walleye, perch, grouper and whiting.