15 Fast Food Fish Sandwiches – Which Is the Best Choice?

It all started on a random Friday when I found myself craving something different.

Normally, I’m a burger-and-fries kind of person, but the thought of a crispy, golden fish sandwich lodged itself into my mind and wouldn’t let go.

Since it was Lent—a time when fish sandwiches seemed to take over fast food menus—it felt like the perfect opportunity to get in.

With a notebook, my appetite, and an open mind, I set out to taste-test as many fish sandwiches as possible.

Here’s the full, unfiltered rundown of my journey, complete with surprises, disappointments, and a few mouthwatering discoveries.

15. Culver’s North Atlantic Cod Sandwich

I started my fish sandwich quest at Culver’s because, let’s be honest, they usually knock it out of the park with their ButterBurgers.

I pulled up to the drive-thru with high hopes and a rumbling stomach. The sandwich came neatly packaged, and the hoagie roll looked promising.

My first bite, though, was all breading. The fish was buried under such a thick layer of coating that I couldn’t taste it until halfway through the sandwich.

The tartar sauce, which featured capers and sweet relish, was overly tangy and clashed with the cheddar cheese on top.

By the end, I wished I’d ordered cheese curds instead.

14. Dairy Queen Wild Alaskan Fish Sandwich

Dairy Queen isn’t exactly known for savory food, but I gave their Wild Alaskan Fish Sandwich a chance.

When I unwrapped it, the sandwich looked decent—crispy fish, lettuce, and tartar sauce on a toasted bun.

The first bite wasn’t bad, but the thin breading started to crumble quickly, leaving me with a mess.

The tartar sauce was aggressively tangy, almost like it wanted to take center stage.

I love their Blizzards, but Dairy Queen’s fish sandwich was a one-and-done for me.

13. Captain D’s Giant Fish Sandwich

Next, I went to Captain D’s. As a seafood chain, I expected them to shine here.

Their Giant Fish Sandwich was, well, giant—two fish filets stacked on a soft bun with tartar sauce and lettuce.

While the size was impressive, the breading was oddly soggy by the time I got to it.

The fish itself tasted fresh, but the texture threw me off. I wanted to love this one, but it just didn’t hold up.

12. McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish

The Filet-O-Fish has been a classic for decades, so I couldn’t skip it.

As I unwrapped the steamed bun, I felt a wave of nostalgia—I remembered sneaking bites of my grandma’s Filet-O-Fish when I was a kid.

But that memory turned out to be better than the reality.

The fish patty was bland, the tartar sauce tasted watered down, and the half-slice of cheese just felt… sad. Sorry, McDonald’s, but nostalgia wasn’t enough to save this one.

11. Sonic Fish Sandwich

@jordan_tries Finding The Best Fish Sandwich- Sonic #fishsandwich #sonic #fyp ♬ original sound – Jordan Tries

I swung by Sonic on a whim, curious to see what their fish sandwich was all about.

It was a pretty standard setup: crispy fish, lettuce, and tartar sauce on a toasted bun.

The fish was flaky, and the bun was nicely toasted, but there was nothing remarkable about it.

It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t memorable either. If you’re already at Sonic, it’ll do, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it.

10. Arby’s King’s Hawaiian Fish Deluxe

I love King’s Hawaiian rolls, so I was excited about this one.

The fish filet, lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce all sat atop a sweet King’s Hawaiian bun.

My first bite was… sweet. Too sweet. The bun and sauce together overwhelmed the fish, and the tomatoes felt limp and unnecessary.

I tried to take a few more bites to give it a chance, but I ended up wishing for something saltier to balance it out.

This sandwich was a swing and a miss.

9. Arby’s Crispy Fish Sandwich

Arby’s redeemed themselves slightly with their classic Crispy Fish Sandwich.

The sesame seed bun added a nice touch, and the fish filet was satisfyingly crispy.

However, the tartar sauce was hit or miss—some bites were overloaded, while others had none at all.

It was a decent sandwich, but it felt like it was missing something to take it to the next level.

8. Wendy’s Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich

Wendy’s surprised me.

Their Panko-breaded fish filet had a satisfying crunch, and the dill-forward tartar sauce was a nice change of pace.

The pickles added a pleasant tang, though the American cheese felt out of place.

I found myself taking a few extra bites just to savor the flavors, but the cheese kept pulling me out of the experience. Still, this one was solid.

7. Checkers Deep-Sea Double

Checkers came through with their Deep-Sea Double, a sandwich featuring two crispy fish filets stacked high with tartar sauce and lettuce.

The fish was crunchy, the sauce was creamy, and the bun was soft—exactly what you’d expect from a fast-food fish sandwich.

It wasn’t revolutionary, but it got the job done and left me satisfied.

6. Popeyes Spicy Flounder Fish Sandwich

Popeyes spicy flounder fish sandwich, crispy chicken nuggets and fries 🍔 pic.twitter.com/ynurjUwooa

— Out of Context Mukbang and Food (@ncontextmukbang) July 30, 2023

I love Popeyes for their bold flavors, and their Spicy Flounder Fish Sandwich didn’t disappoint.

The Louisiana seasoning in the breading was spicy and flavorful, and the spicy mayo added an extra kick.

However, the heat overwhelmed the delicate fish flavor, which made it hard to fully appreciate.

It’s a fun option for spice lovers, but I’d recommend going in prepared for a fiery experience.

5. Popeyes Classic Flounder Fish Sandwich

The classic version of Popeyes’ fish sandwich was much more balanced.

The breading was still flavorful, but the regular tartar sauce let the fish shine.

The brioche bun was soft and buttery, and the pickles added a refreshing crunch.

This was a sandwich I found myself wanting to finish, which says a lot.

4. Burger King Big Fish

Burger King’s Big Fish was a delightful surprise. The Panko-breaded filet was crispy and flavorful, and the tartar sauce had a nice dill kick.

The brioche bun was sturdy enough to hold everything together without feeling heavy.

It wasn’t overly complicated, but it delivered everything I wanted in a fish sandwich.

3. Burger King Fiery Big Fish

Burger King took their Big Fish up a notch with the Fiery Big Fish.

The spicy glaze added just the right amount of heat without overpowering the other flavors.

The combination of crispy fish, tangy sauce, and soft brioche bun was near-perfect.

I’d happily order this one again.

2. Long John Silver’s Fish Sandwich

@jordan_tries Finding The Best Fish Sandwich- Long John Silver’s #fishsandwich #longjohnsilvers ♬ original sound – Jordan Tries

Long John Silver’s knows their seafood, and it shows.

Their fish sandwich was simple but executed perfectly.

The Alaskan pollock was crispy and flaky, the tartar sauce was creamy and tangy, and the pickles added the perfect crunch.

This was comfort food at its finest.

1. Carl’s Jr. Beer-Battered Fish Sandwich

The top spot goes to Carl’s Jr. Their Beer-Battered Fish Sandwich was an absolute masterpiece.

The fish filet was light and crispy, with a subtle beer flavor that added depth.

The tartar sauce was perfectly balanced, and the toasted bun held everything together without getting soggy.

Every bite was a joy, and I’m already planning my next trip back.

Final Thoughts

My fish sandwich journey was filled with surprises, disappointments, and a few gems.

Along the way, I couldn’t help but think about how a hearty seafood soup could complement these sandwiches perfectly.

While not every sandwich was a winner, I discovered some truly fantastic options that I’ll be craving long after Lent is over.

If you’re on the hunt for the best fish sandwich, I’d recommend starting with Carl’s Jr. or Long John Silver’s. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.