This is my third in a series of taste tests to find the best fast food, or semi-fast food. Previously, I have tasted chicken sandwiches and turkey sandwiches, now I turn the attention on fish sandwiches.
I have assembled a list of well-known, national restaurants that offer a fish sandwich. This will include restaurants that focus on fish, and those that serve a variety of food options, but also include a fish sandwich, at least during the season of Lent.
While my primary focus is on the taste, quality and price of a fish sandwich, I will also be purchasing combo or meal deals where available, and providing an assessment for that aspect. Mostly, I will be dining in, and giving you an idea of the comfort, cleanliness and ambiance of the dining area.
I should point out that I conducted this taste test over a fourteen month period, as fish sandwiches are a limited menu item at many fast food restaurants and only appear during Lent.
Visit my other taste tests:
These restaurants are listed in no particular order. Let’s eat!
Dairy Queen
Crispy breaded Wild Alaskan Pollock filet topped with lettuce and tartar sauce, served on a warm toasted bun. Served with fries, and 21oz drink.
I approached this restaurant with anticipation. This specific DQ I’ve eaten several times, but almost forgot to put them on the list.
Fries were fresh and hot, with just a hint of salt. Fountain drink machine featured Coke products, so I chose a Barg Root Beer.
The sandwich was hot and crispy, pretty much like the photo. A good-sized piece of fish. Not really flaky inside, a little mushy. Still it was edible with just a mild fish taste. It wasn’t bad, maybe just a bit too much moisture inside. Shredded lettuce and plenty of tartar sauce topped off the sandwich. The bun was neither toasted or hot, but that was overlooked at most restaurants I visited.
Clean restaurant, maybe due to no one else eating there. A steady traffic in the drive-thru.
$8.89 before tax.
There was nothing wrong with the fish or meal, just what I noted above. It was above average, just a bit generic.
Sandwich B, meal/experience B
Freddy’s
I’ve been to Freddy’s many times, the chicken is very good, even though the chain primarily serves burgers. This is the first fish sandwich I’ve ever ordered there. It could be because it’s only on the menu temporarily and we were just fortunate enough to catch it (pun intended).
Freddy’s has a retro vibe to its styling and menu. Each of our combo meals was $11.27. The fish was cooked to order so it took a bit longer to prepare. Freddy’s does a reasonable walk-in business, but the real surge comes from the drive-thru on a very busy street.
The fish fillet was large, it looked more like chicken fried steak the way it dwarfed the bun. The website says Alaskan flounder. The sandwich includes a large pickle, American cheese, shredded lettuce and tartar sauce on a toasted bun.
Freddy’s meals come with a basket of shoestring-shaped French fries, or in my partner’s order, tater tots. Fresh and crispy. My only complaint was in the drink fountain, two drink choices, including the root beer, were unavailable. Curses!
The dining area is usually well-maintained, although it appeared the dinner rush created trash that needed to be emptied. My partner notice the plethora of Easter decorations filling every empty space.
Sandwich: A-, Meal and experience: B+
McDonald’s
The Filet-O-Fish has been around since 1965. The sandwich was very good, fresh and hot, fresh bread with a serious helping of tartar sauce. “Crispy fish filet patty made with wild-caught Alaskan Pollock on melty American cheese.” I’ve had McDonald’s fish sandwiches before, the square patty makes you wonder about the quality of the fish, which has shrunk it in size. What struck me was how small the sandwich is, it reminded me of a slider.
Our meals came with medium fries and soft drinks. The fries were fresh, crispy and hot. Thankfully, the salt was light.
The McDonald’s we visited looks to have been remodeled in recent times. Modern, urban decor. We were the only customers in the dining area. Very clean, no soda fountain for refills, and the drink was mainly ice. That sucks. While we were there a couple of other customers wondered in to order. Most people use the drive-thru. Ordering inside from the kiosk is a hassle. Even during the lunch rush, no one seems to work the front, which would make it difficult to get refills. We had trouble navigating the kiosk and had to find someone to help us.
Sandwich: B– (average, tiny and not a great value). Experience and meal: C (fries were good, ordering was difficult, not a great value).
Culver’s
Culver’s, home of the ButterBurger. Culver’s has consistently been reliable in the past for me, so I was anxious to taste their fish sandwich. The picture begs a taste test.
My wife and I each ordered the sandwich basket, which is “the meal” or drink/fries combo.
The meal was served quickly, hardly any wait after we sat down. Culver’s is a well-oiled machine. My only complaint is the drink fountain is usually a choke point; why not have two?
Lifting the toasted bun, the fillet was batter-fried, not huge but adequate. There was chopped lettuce and grated yellow cheese. Their website posts: “Topped with a Culver’s family recipe tartar sauce featuring olives, capers and sweet relish, crisp lettuce and Wisconsin Cheddar.” My sandwich had a modest amount of tartar sauce, so I couldn’t detect some of those ingredients. It just tasted like tartar sauce.
The fries were thick-cut, and an adequate amount. They were only lightly salted. My wife thought the fries were bland, but I thought it was from a lack of seasoning. They were hot and fresh, and with a dab of ketchup, I ate them all.
The soda fountain had Coke products and tea. See above soda fountain comment.
There was some bozo standing across from our seating, listening to songs on his phone, actually we were all listening to his songs because he wasn’t using any earbuds. That’s rude. Some people just have the need to do their thing regardless of appropriateness.
Each meal was $11.59 before tax. Sandwich: A-, Meal + experience B+
Wendy’s
$10.19 before tax
Dining area was noticeably comfortable and clean. No other dine-in customers at the time. Ordering inside makes it tough to get waited on, they primarily do pick up and drive-thru business.
At first look, the square fillet looked overcooked, but it was just crispy on the outside, and flaky on the inside. With a slice of yellow cheese, shredded lettuce and a healthy amount of tartar sauce, this was a delicious sandwich.
Nice selection of Coke products at the fountain, including numerous Fanta choices. I poured myself a grape drink. The fries were large, square cut and hot. Not overly salty to the taste.
This is a very good fish sandwich, and the meal was quite enjoyable. Sandwich B+ Experience/meal B
I read that 250 underperforming Wendy’s locations are closing soon. This is not the Wendy’s of old. Something has happened in their business plan or management to fall behind. My wife and I talked about the Wendy’s experience of old, the Dave Thomas days. This location wasn’t overly busy at 1 pm on a Sunday, but the drive-thru seemed to have steady customers. There appeared to only be two employees working, so a big thanks to them for delivering an excellent meal.
Whataburger
Whataburger’s “Whatacatch” is a seasonal, limited-time fish sandwich featuring a breaded, fried wild-caught Alaskan pollock filet, topped with lettuce, tomato, and tangy tartar sauce on a bun.
When I unwrapped the sandwich I could smell the fish. A quality piece of breaded fish. Tartar sauce, sliced tomato and shredded lettuce, served on a bun.
Fries were good, not great, which was disappointing. A mixture of warm and cold fries, not overly salty. My visit was during lunchtime so I’m not sure why I’d get cold fries. The fountain bar had a variety of Coke products.
Very clean, modern restaurant. They bring you the meal and offer condiments at your table. I’ve always enjoyed Whataburger. This visit was a little underwhelming. The power of good fries.
Price: $9.79 before tax.
Fillet B+, meal B-
Burger King
Burger King is not known for fish, but they serve one up. With this taste test, I’ve crossed Burger King off of restaurants I’ll ever visit again. (I’ve since been to a different BK for an impossible burger.)
My wife enjoys BK’s impossible burger, which I agree is tasty. We stopped in for a late lunch and I made the decision to order their fish sandwich. We ordered and waited, and waited and waited. As our meals were being prepared, we saw the counter employee scraping up the remaining fries from the serving pan. Cold and old. My wife said no way, so they cooked up a new batch, while the leftover fries went to someone in the drive-thru. So we waited and waited, as my wife was fuming at the wait time. Finally, she asked for our money back, but the employee said the fries were holding up our meal. So we waited some more.
I took a look at my fish fillet under the bun and could immediately tell this was a mushy, tasteless piece of fish. The bun was nothing special, neither was the lettuce or sauce. BK says their Big Fish Sandwich is a 100% Wild Alaskan Pollock fillet, served on a toasted brioche-style bun. The bun was nothing special, an ordinary, smashed bun. The lettuce was in limp pieces and there was no tang to the tangy sauce.
The fries were in fact hot and fresh, and they were the best part of the meal. The fountain drink was the second best part of the meal.
The restaurant was empty at mid afternoon, although a few brave souls were in the drive-thru. The restaurant had tired decor, it didn’t scream cleanliness, and the two employees on duty seemed barely interested.
For $8.99 I received a combo meal that was disappointing and a poor dining experience.
Sandwich D, meal and experience D. The drink and fries save on being an F. This restaurant location needs some sort of rescue, or a bulldozer visit.
Sonic
For a limited time only menu item. The Sonic fish sandwich is advertised as an Alaskan pollock fillet breaded with panko breadcrumbs, toasted brioche bun with tartar sauce, lettuce, and pickles.
I enjoy going to Sonic, it’s the ordering and eating from your car. It reminds me of the A&W drive-in days of my youth. No one does the roller skates anymore, however. It was a beautiful and sunny day of more than 60 degrees for the end of February, here in the normally frigid Midwest.
I ordered the fish sandwich combo, which cost me $12 including tax and tip. The wait time was not bad, it gave me time to reply to some emails.
I miss the tray that the carhop used to hang on your window, but a paper bag is okay. I noticed the drink, Coke Zero, was heavy with ice, which tends to happen when someone else fills the drink cup.
The tots were nice and crispy. A little salty, but not overloaded. My blood pressure is thankful. The fish was wrapped in foil, and it was very hot to the touch, a warning to tread lighting or burn your mouth. Sandwiches that come wrapped rarely look like the ad photo. The bun was very flat on both sides. The bun had shredded lettuce and a slathering of tartar sauce. I did not find any pickles. The fillet was was square, like many other sandwiches, and had a crispy coating. It was hot, but I was carefully taking small bites. The pollack was white and sort of flaky. The taste was good, I could taste the fish, it wasn’t mushy or rigid, so it flaked as I took bites.
Honestly, anything other than a burger or chilidog at Sonic, my expectations was somewhat low. I found the meal a little better than I expected. The preparation was fine, the quantity made for a filling meal, and the price was reasonable.
The fish sandwich is only available for a certain period of time, so I doubt that I will order a fish sandwich again. I would put the sandwich in the middle of the ratings, a B-. The tots were wonderful and the drink was okay (too much ice, too little soda). Overall, a B-.
Popeye’s
We’ve eaten at several Popeye’s for chicken, and have a close by Popeye’s that had been complete rebuilt after a fire.
Alaska Flounder filet marinated in our Louisiana herbs and crispy coating, fried to golden brown perfection atop a toasted buttery brioche bun with barrel cured pickles in between. Served with Classic Tartar sauce.
Busy place. The dining area is small, but new and bright. Food was delivered quickly.
Cajun fries were hot and fresh, not overly salty. Coke products at the fountain machine, free refills.
Fish fillet was tasty, not overly seasoned. Flaky and full of taste. Tartar sauce and a pickle.
Fish sandwich A, meal A.
Arby’s
Known for roast beef and cured meat (We have the meats!).
The restaurant left a lot to be desired. Old and in need of a remodel. I will say that they still do a good counter business rather than it be strictly order from a kiosk.
Drink fountain leaked all over my hand.
Curly fries were fresh and hot, and not overly seasoned, but had a bit of a kick.
Fried fish sandwich was okay. It was large and served on a bun with a decent supply of lettuce. The tartar sauce was a bit excessive and I couldn’t tell if the bun was toasted. The fish fillet was okay, but I wouldn’t quite describe it as flaky, which is what they advertise. Described as a panko-breaded, wild-caught Alaskan Pollock fillet.
The price was solid at under $10, and if you factor out the dining atmosphere, I would give the meal a C+, mainly because the fish fillet wasn’t as delicious as advertised, but certainly not the worst.
Long John Silvers
Reasonably priced at $8.29 for a fish sandwich combo. My meal was made to order so it was fresh and hot.
The dining area was so-so, it could use a refresh. Both LJS and A&W are co-located here. Could have used some music, listing to the workers was awkward.
Waffle-cut fries were crispy and not overly salted. The drink fountain had Pepsi products and A&W Root Beer, which I enjoyed.
The fillet was crispy and delicious. Three pickles, tartar sauce and what looked like a fresh bun.
I have no complaints about the food. My feelings about LJS is that it’s an underwhelming franchise, I intentionally haven’t eaten there in years. When I did, I ordered from the A&W menu. I would have no qualms about returning for the LJS side.
Sandwich A-, meal/experience B+
Captain D’s
Two Batter Dipped Fish fillets on a toasty bun with tangy tartar sauce and shredded lettuce, served with your choice of one side and a refreshing beverage.
Located in a sketchy area, I brought my food home instead of dining there. The restaurant was rundown and in need of a makeover, but something tells me that won’t happen. The city had the street blocked off for construction, so getting in was a challenge.
Pepsi products at the soda fountain. I sampled a fruit drink, which was okay.
The fries were limp and cold.
The sandwich was big, the fillets sticking out of the bun, like over muscled men at the gym. Chopped lettuce and a glob of tartar sauce on a bun that was not toasted.
$8.89 before tax. Reasonable price.
Sandwich B-, Meal/experience C-
Thoughts…
There were a few surprises in this taste test. Some of the bigger fast food chains scored the lowest. Some outliers did much better than I anticipated. For me, fish is a more specific audience than chicken, burgers or even turkey. Thankfully, during Lent, more restaurants put fish on the menu. But is it quality fish or just a tasteless square on a bun? Serving fish for a few weeks a year, even at popular fast food stops is no guarantee that the fish, or the preparation or the service gives you a great sandwich. What is in the coating and is it crusty when you bite into it? Is your taste geared toward cod or pollack or walleye or flounder?
I was surprised that restaurants that specialize in chicken or beef would make such a quality sandwich. Older chains like Captain D’s and Long John Silver’s were better than I expected, even though their restaurants looked tired. I expected Culver’s to serve a good product. It was the burger joints that were a question mark. Several were very good and others not so much, but don’t assume they can’t provide a decent fish fillet.
Ticket 2 Ride 
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