8 Best Fast Food Fried Fish Sandwiches, According To Reviews

When Lent rolls around, fried fish sandwiches start popping up on fast-food menus, but you don't have to be observing the season to have a reason to order one. From menu staples like the Filet-O-Fish to limited-time offerings, fast-food chains have spent decades putting their own spin on fish sandwiches. For some Catholics, meat is off the menu during Lent, but fish is still fair game — and for many Americans, that means embracing the option at the drive-thru. While some of these items are available year-round, many chains treat them as limited-time menu offerings during Lent. 

But with so many options available, which fast-food restaurants actually serve a fried fish sandwich worth ordering? Variations range from Southern-inspired spicy batters to sandwiches made with different types of fish, such as flounder and cod. To find the standouts, we combed through dozens of reviews from the past year, including opinions from Redditors, food influencers, and other diners sharing their first impressions. We considered fish flavor, crispiness, texture, seasoning, and overall value. Whether you're looking for a fish sandwich during Lent or simply craving something crispy from the drive-thru, these are eight of the best fast-food fried fish sandwiches, according to reviews.

Culver's is a Midwestern, family-owned fast-food chain initially known for its frozen custard and ButterBurgers. Today, its menu is broad and includes a pretty stellar North Atlantic Cod Sandwich. It features a hand-filleted chunk of cod topped with Culver's family-recipe tartar sauce, shredded lettuce, and Wisconsin cheddar, all wrapped in a buttered, toasted hoagie roll.

On Reddit, hundreds of people upvoted the sandwich in a post with a photo showing off a huge, golden, battered fish fillet. The original poster suggested adding pickles and extra tartar to the sandwich, to which someone replied, "I just had one yesterday, and now I'm kicking myself that I didn't add pickles. You're 100% right, and I bet that would've taken it from an A to an A+." Notably, online reviewers seemed to appreciate the generous, thick fish fillet.

While Culver's North Atlantic cod option is available year-round, its Walleye version is a limited-time offering that hits the menu by Ash Wednesday — so you'll have to wait until February. Many fried fish sandwich pundits argue over which version is better; if you're lucky enough to live near a Culver's, you'll have to decide for yourself.

You can't have a serious conversation about fast-food fish sandwiches without acknowledging the genre's bedrock: the McDonald's Filet-O-Fish Sandwich. This classic centers on a square patty of wild Alaskan pollock (though, interestingly, it was originally made with cod). But it still has the perfect ratio of three specific components. First, the tartar sauce teeters between sweet and tart, laced with the right amount of tangy relish; then a half-slice of gooey American cheese provides a savory, umami glue that holds the fish to the third component, an ultra-soft, steamed bun. Simple, yet perfect.

Given its iconic status, there's no shortage of praise for how the Golden Arches does fish, and it is often touted as the best example of this sandwich style. On Reddit, one customer commented, "I have never had a bad fish sandwich from McDonald's." Another added, "It has been the best thing on their menu for years now."

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is synonymous with fried chicken, and the chain is known for its unbelievably juicy chicken tenders. But the Flounder Fish Sandwich offered to pescatarians during Lent is a masterclass in fast-food seafood. Popeyes uses Alaska flounder, a flat, slightly sweet fish, and pairs it with its intense, signature seasoning blend.

On YouTube, a reviewer taste-tested the sandwich, stating, "I love the Popeyes super crispy breading on it. It doesn't taste like it was microwaved... Man, this is actually really good." They also praised its thick, flaky flounder, buttery brioche bun, tangy tartar sauce, and pickles that were actually crunchy — a fast-food feat. One of the YouTuber's followers agreed, saying, "Had this the other day and I was very impressed."

It's safe to assume most fried fish sandwiches use standard batter and breading, though most chains don't specify the exact breadcrumb type. But Wendy's Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich uses the ultra-light Japanese-style breadcrumbs we all love. There are many different types of fish breading and batters to try, but panko is one of the better options compared to dense, heavy coatings that can obscure the taste of the fish. This sandwich uses wild-caught, sustainable Alaskan pollock, topped with American cheese, lettuce, pickles, and a dill-forward tartar sauce, served on a premium bun.

But how are the reviews? Turns out this fish sandwich is legit. A YouTube food reviewer described the sandwich as "flaky, not dry," praising its overall quality and the satisfying crunch of the panko breading. On Reddit, one user said, "Wendy's, they only sell it during Lent, and it is fire," a comment backed up by hundreds of upvotes. Another YouTuber said, "I was most impressed by the dill tartar sauce," which is a consistent take in other reviews. Unlike the Filet-O-Fish, it's only available for a limited time at most Wendy's, except for a few select locations where it's sold year-round. 

Arby's has had a wild ride from punchline to fast-food icon, and it's probably not the first chain you think of when you're craving a fried fish sandwich. After all, its slogan is "We have the meats," conjuring images of glistening roast beef slices. But you don't have to buy in and grab a cheesesteak; you can instead dive into the seafood side of its menu. The chain offers a Crispy Fish Sandwich and a King's Hawaiian Fish Deluxe—both available only from mid-February through early April, during Lent.

On YouTube, a reviewer of the Crispy Fish Sandwich says, "The breading has a nice seasoning to it. It's not dry. It's moist. And it's really got a nice chew to it. That's a really nice sandwich. I like it a lot." He also offers a pro tip: add some of the restaurant's Horsey Sauce to amp up the flavor. 

In another video, a YouTube reviewer praised the crunch of the breading and fresh bun, saying he would "be happy to pay full price for another one." Meanwhile, on Reddit, one user claims, "Arby's takes the top spot," earning almost a hundred upvotes from others in agreement.

For those outside the Whataburger zone, this Texas-born chain is a bona fide cult favorite. During Lent, fish lovers can order the Whatacatch Sandwich, featuring Alaskan wild-caught pollock in a seasoned panko coating. Tartar sauce and a slice of tomato round it out, all served on a soft, pillowy bun.

YouTube food reviewers have praised the Whatacatch, especially for its flaky, tender fish, crispy coating, and fresh tomatoes. Some say it blows the Filet-O-Fish out of the water on both taste and value.

Reddit users are just as enthusiastic. One started a thread urging Whataburger to make the sandwich a permanent menu item, writing, "This is the only item that would make me spend money at Whataburger." Another gave it a 9/10 when served fresh, while another said they preferred it to the McDonald's version.

We would be remiss not to mention Long John Silver's. The chain focuses exclusively on a seafood menu and sources wild-caught Alaska pollock, cod, and salmon for its fried fish options. Available year-round, the Long John Silver's Fish Sandwich is as classic as it gets: a soft bun, a golden-fried Alaskan pollock fillet, tartar sauce, and pickles. While deceptively simple, this one gets high praise online. 

Folks on Reddit say it's underrated, including one customer who tried it based on other reviews. They shared, "It was honestly the best fish sandwich I've had in YEARS. If you like fish sandwiches, this one is top 3, maybe the best."

On YouTube, a fast food reviewer said, "I really like Long John Silver's fish," after taking a bite that was so crispy you could hear it. He described the fillet as thick and well-seasoned. Being a seafood-only fast food joint, there's some built-in expectation of an elite experience, but even with so much competition out there, Long John Silver's appears to hold up.

Bojangles deserves a spot among the best fast-food fish sandwiches around. Known for its intensely seasoned Cajun-inspired fried chicken, the chain brings that same Southern flair to its Bojangler Fish Sandwich. 

The sandwich features flaky, wild-caught Alaskan pollock in a crispy panko coating, seasoned with Bo's Famous Seasoning. It's topped with American cheese and Duke's Tartar Sauce and served on a toasted bun. The basic setup is similar to many other fast-food fish sandwiches, but Bojangles' signature seasoning gives it a distinct flavor. Like many of the sandwiches on this list, the Bojangler is a limited-time offering available during Lent.

Reviews have been positive, particularly from people who enjoy bold seasoning. On YouTube, a reviewer said, "The fish has very crispy breading and does not have a real strong fishy flavor that you typically see in cheaper fish." In another YouTube video, the reviewer described it as "very good fish — light, flaky, but still meaty," highlighting its tangy tartar sauce and overall value.

The sandwich also gets points for being easy to eat, making it a convenient choice for anyone grabbing lunch from the drive-thru. If you like Southern-style seasoning with your fried fish, the Bojangler is worth a try.

As food writers, we know the internet is filled with hot takes — some outlandish, some insightful, some outdated. To compile this list, we read reviews from YouTube, Reddit, TikTok, Yelp, and TripAdvisor from the last 12 months. 

We based each pick on positive customer reviews from the past year, focusing on longtime menu staples and recurring seasonal favorites. We also compared independent video reviews with discussions on Reddit and other online communities to see which sandwiches consistently earned praise.

We considered both ratings and written feedback when evaluating fish sandwiches. We looked for qualities such as generous fish fillets, a good balance of sauce, bun, and cheese, fresh buns, and crispy batter. These factors help us identify the sandwiches that offer the best overall experience.