Fast food fish sandwiches are a popular choice for those looking to mix up their menu with a seafood option. Whether you’re craving a crispy, breaded fillet or a flavorful, grilled piece of fish, fast food chains have been competing to serve up the best fish sandwiches. Each of these fast food fish sandwiches brings something different to the table, from classic options to innovative takes on seafood. Whether you prefer a spicy Cajun flavor or a traditional fish fillet, there’s a fish sandwich on this list to satisfy your cravings. The rankings reflect a mix of taste, texture, and overall appeal, making these sandwiches some of the best options available in the fast food world. Here’s a ranking of the top 10 fast food fish sandwiches based on taste, texture, and overall quality.
Popeyes Cajun Fish Sandwich
Why It’s Top-Notch: Popeyes is renowned for its flavorful, crispy chicken, and their fish sandwich lives up to the same standard. The Cajun-seasoned fish fillet is perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The addition of pickles and tartar sauce complements the bold flavors beautifully.
What Sets It Apart: The Cajun seasoning gives this sandwich a unique, spicy kick that sets it apart from the competition.
Courtesy of Popeyes
McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish
Why It’s a Classic: McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish has been a staple on fast food menus since 1962. It features a crispy, breaded fish fillet topped with tartar sauce and a slice of cheese, served on a soft bun.
What Sets It Apart: Its consistency and classic flavor make it a reliable choice for those seeking a traditional fish sandwich.
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Wendy’s Premium Fish Fillet Sandwich
Why It’s Great: Wendy’s fish sandwich features a crispy, wild-caught Alaskan Pollock fillet, topped with lettuce, pickles, and tartar sauce on a soft bun. The fish is light and flaky, making it a delightful option.
What Sets It Apart: The use of wild-caught Alaskan Pollock and the freshness of the toppings elevate this sandwich.
Wendy’s
Burger King Big Fish Sandwich
Why It’s Impressive: Burger King’s Big Fish Sandwich includes a large, crispy fish fillet with lettuce and tartar sauce on a toasted bun. The sandwich offers a satisfying crunch and a substantial portion of fish.
What Sets It Apart: The large size of the fillet and the crispy coating make it a hearty and satisfying choice.
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Jack in the Box Fish Sandwich
Why It’s Noteworthy: Jack in the Box offers a fish sandwich featuring a crispy fish fillet, tartar sauce, and shredded lettuce on a soft bun. The sandwich has a good balance of flavors and textures.
What Sets It Apart: The crispy coating on the fish and the generous amount of tartar sauce provide a great taste experience.
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Arby’s Crispy Fish Sandwich
Why It’s Solid: Arby’s Crispy Fish Sandwich includes a lightly breaded fish fillet, shredded lettuce, and tartar sauce on a toasted bun. It’s a simple yet tasty option for those who enjoy a straightforward fish sandwich.
What Sets It Apart: The breading is light yet crispy, and the overall sandwich is well-balanced and satisfying.
Brian Cohen
Sonic’s Crispy Fish Sandwich
Why It’s Good: Sonic’s Crispy Fish Sandwich features a crunchy fish fillet, lettuce, and tartar sauce on a soft bun. The fish is nicely seasoned, and the sandwich is a decent choice for a fast food seafood fix.
What Sets It Apart: The seasoning of the fish and the freshness of the lettuce add to its appeal.
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Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr. Fish Sandwich
Why It’s Worth Mentioning: Hardee’s (Carl’s Jr. on the West Coast) offers a fish sandwich with a crispy fillet, tartar sauce, and lettuce on a bun. It’s a straightforward option with good flavor.
What Sets It Apart: The sandwich is well-executed with a crispy fillet and fresh toppings.
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Chick-fil-A Fish Sandwich
Why It’s Notable: Chick-fil-A’s fish sandwich features a breaded fish fillet, pickles, and tartar sauce on a bun. Though Chick-fil-A is more famous for its chicken, the fish sandwich offers a decent alternative.
What Sets It Apart: The sandwich benefits from Chick-fil-A’s consistent quality and attention to detail, even if it’s not their primary offering.
Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post
Taco Bell’s Crispy Fish Taco
Why It’s Unique: While not a traditional fish sandwich, Taco Bell’s Crispy Fish Taco is worth mentioning for its innovative approach. It features a breaded fish fillet in a soft taco shell with creamy sauce and fresh toppings.
What Sets It Apart: The taco format offers a unique twist on the fish sandwich, combining Taco Bell’s signature flavors with seafood.
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