Craving a fish sandwich that won’t disappoint? Join the queue. But which ones actually slap? Fast food chains love rolling out fish, but not all are worth the grease. We ranked and judged 20 of the best with fair honesty. Let’s help you in finding the crispy, flaky sandwich champion of the sea.
Popeyes Classic Flounder Fish Sandwich
This one absolutely slaps. The flounder’s thick and seasoned like it’s got a secret. You get heat, crunch, juiciness, and a rich buttery bun that never buckles. It begs for more servings. The sauce is balanced, and there is no sad lettuce here. Order it spicy or classic—you can’t miss either way.
Culver’s North Atlantic Cod Filet Sandwich
If a Midwestern supper club had a drive-thru, this would be the star. You don’t need to wait a minute to notice the crisp, airy batter. The cod’s flaky and cooked with care. That toasted hoagie roll is warm and sturdy—every ingredient works together in harmony.
The Bojangler® Fish Sandwich By Bojangles
You won’t find lettuce here either because this one doesn’t need it. It’s just fish and sauce. The Cajun-spiced filet hits differently with bold seasoning and flaky fish. The buttered bun adds that Southern charm. If you like heat and heart, this one’s yours.
White Castle Panko Fish Slider
If a fish stick wandered into a potluck and got wrapped in a dinner roll, this would be the result. It’s tiny and ridiculously easy to eat in pairs—or fours. No frills, and no freshness guarantee, but it works. You came for fast food chaos, and the slider came through.
Dairy Queen’s Wild Alaskan Fish Sandwich
The name sounds fancy, but the flavor hits like comfort food. This Wild Alaskan filet gets fried just right—crispy edges, moist center, no mystery meat texture. Dairy Queen pairs it with soft bread and tartar that pops. It’s not overthought, though. Just simple, flaky goodness earns its spot.
Whataburger’s Whatacatch Sandwich
Here’s a fish sandwich that actually bites back, but in a good way. Whataburger’s Whatacatch delivers a thick filet with buttery flake and serious crunch. Lettuce, tomato, and tangy tartar keep things fresh, while the toasted bun brings it home. It’s big, bold, and shockingly consistent. You’ll leave impressed.
Captain D’s Giant Fish Sandwich
Bigger is better here. You’re looking at a filet that spills past the bun, stacked on toasted bread that holds its own. The fish stays flaky and crunchy from start to finish. Pair it with hush puppies and a drink, and your lunch break feels like a full-on seafood escape.
Shake Shack Crispy Fish Sandwich
With Shake Shack, fast food feels gourmet. The thick fish has a whisper of crunch from the panko crust. The house-made tartar sauce is bright, and its creaminess will impress you. Then, there’s the toasted potato bun—elegance and deliciousness in simplicity.
McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish
The most divisive fish sandwich in fast food history lives on, and you either love it or don’t understand it. The steamed bun feels like a soft pillow, and the fish is square and subtle. That half-slice of American cheese? Somehow, it’s famed. That is weird, yes, but it is still worth ordering.
Checkers Deep Sea Double
Double trouble, double grease! The patties are crispy but lean on artificial flavor. You get cheese and tartar. There is too much bun—but it works because it’s messy and loud. The Deep Sea Double is not for purists but for chaos-hungry fast-food lovers.
Beer-Battered Fish Sandwich By Carl’s Jr. Or Hardee’s
The fish is crispy enough, and the bun is fine. The sauce is also standard. You see “beer-battered” and hope for greatness, but this sandwich plays it safe. Still, it’s satisfying in a pinch. If you’re expecting pub food, scale back. If you’re hungry, it’ll hold you over with decent consistency.
Wendy’s Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich
Panko crunch? Absolutely. You may taste dill pickles, a competent sauce, and a filet that’s more texture than taste. But this fish sandwich isn’t leading any flavor revolutions. It’s a good try with decent execution but not enough punch to earn reruns—better than bad and unforgettable for some.
Sonic Drive-In Fish Sandwich
Sonic may not be your go-to for seafood, but this one’s weirdly okay. You’ll forget about it tomorrow, but for that moment, it works. The filet and tartar are impressive, and the bread’s solid. It is unexpectedly decent. Still, don’t chase it down unless you’re already under the neon sign.
A&W Pub-Style Cod Sandwich
While the cod’s got real flake and the batter’s crisp, the bun brings a soft contrast. It tastes like something you’d get at a diner near a lake. Nobody claims it to be a fast food royalty, but it earns its place with simplicity and just enough flavor.
Freddy’s Crispy Fish Sandwich
This sandwich stays in its lane—and nails it. You get a hot, golden filet along with a fluffy toasted bun and tartar that knows when to speak up. It’s not flashy but well-executed, with a solid flavor promised from start to finish. Gimmicks aren’t the priority here.
Jack In The Box Fish Sandwich
Some people expect disaster and get “not bad.” Crunchy and surprisingly well-balanced fillet meets an uninspired bun and lettuce in this decoration. But the sandwich as a whole works when you’re desperate for a fast bite. It’s not brag-worthy and not an embarrassment, either.
Church’s Fish Sandwich
Church’s does chicken well. Fish? Not so much. To some, this sandwich comes in too salty and too oily with an overpowering batter and fish that tastes lost inside. You’ll wish you ordered tenders instead. There’s sauce, sure—but it’s not enough. You could just try it once and then, move on.
Long John Silver’s Classic Fish Sandwich
Golden, greasy, and glorious! You’re not eating healthy here, but you didn’t come to Long John Silver’s for restraint. The crunch factor is wild, and the fish stays juicy beneath the batter. This sandwich feels more like a dare than a dinner. Yet, it hits the salty, satisfying craving.
Burger King Big Fish
Lettuce avalanche and squishy bun! Some may say this sandwich delivers blandness with confidence. Or that you’ll get some sauce, but never where you need it. It’s not terrible, though. A filler choice if other chains aren’t close. This is what you expect from the crown’s least ambitious offering.
Arby’s Crispy Fish Sandwich
You remember this one—thick bun, deep-fried filet, tangy sauce, and iceberg doing its best. It’s a nostalgic hit, like a school lunch glow-up. The fish stays crunchy but leans mild. Yes, it’s not revolutionary, but it gets the job done when you need something fast and familiar enough to feel comforting.
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