The Best Fast Food Fish Sandwich, According To Reddit

For something so adored, and debated, the fast food fish sandwich is, at its core, a very simple construction: you’ve got a piece of fish―usually Alaskan pollock, though sometimes cod or even flounder―often panko-breaded/battered, seasoned, and fried, all according to some degree of corporate-efficiency expertise. Unofficially required toppings: tartar sauce (in the very least, mayo), plus maybe some crispy lettuce, pickles, tomato, and even cheddar cheese on some of the most beloved sandwiches. 

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Culver’s vs McDonald’s

Of course, we have to address the elephant in the room: the Filet-O-Fish. McDonald’s had an early foray into the fish sandwich game, first introducing the beloved sandwich in 1962. You would expect any list for a favorite fast food fish sandwich to have McDonald’s at the top of the list. But Reddit has some other ideas.

Culver’s North Atlantic Cod Sandwich gets consistent top marks―and it’s one of the most unique fish sandwiches―made with flakier, firmer cod (a mega plus), served on a hoagie, and topped with shredded cheddar cheese (among other things). While the seasonal Walleye gets some mixed reviews, Culver’s is consistently praised for its fish. Many Redditors claimed Culver’s as the ultimate winner of the fish sandwich wars. (That’s a thing, right? Like the chicken sandwich wars? Oh well, we’ll make it a thing.)

Popeye’s

Popeye’s is always a mixed bag (and flounder is a tricky fish to get right), so no shock Popeye’s online reactions are mixed. A lot of commenters compare it to Culver’s in terms of fish proportions (though when Popeye’s gets it wrong, it’s over-breaded). But it’s high in many lists, so chances are, if you like your local Popeye’s you probably love their fish sandwich. One Redditor joked that every time they “kick their Popeye’s habit,” the fish sandwich always reels them back in.

Honorable Mentions

Most lists indicate Arby’s pollock-based King Hawaiian Fish Deluxe has gone down in recent years, with too-thin fish filets as a major issue. Wendy’s Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich gets some love as a reliable (seasonal) option, though some users say the fish (Alaskan pollock) can have an off-putting texture, and breading proportions are a bit too variable.  The Burger King BK Big Fish gets mega mixed reviews, with some praising its size, others hating its price―and the name “Big Fish” says both what’s right and wrong―and this one gets maybe the most complaints about the oiliness than any other sandwich.