Top Fast Food Chains Serving Delicious Fish Sandwiches This Lent – Your Ultimate Guide!

Fast food mostly means burgers and fried chicken. But every year, during Lent, many people switch to seafood. This shift drives fast food chains to adapt their menus.

Lent is a 40-day period before Easter observed by many Christians. During this time, many refrain from eating meat on Fridays and often give it up for the entire season. Luckily, fish is an acceptable alternative! This makes seafood a popular choice for many, leading to fish fries at home or crispy fish sandwiches at fast food restaurants.

Almost every popular fast food chain has a fish sandwich, whether it’s a special seasonal offering or a permanent menu item. Some sandwiches become favorites and stay year-round, while others are only available for a limited time. If you’re looking for a fish sandwich during Lent, you’ll have plenty of options.

McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish

The McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish is arguably the most famous fish sandwich in fast food history. It wasn’t always a permanent item; it started as a limited-time offering in 1962, created by Lou Groen, who wanted to appeal to Catholic customers in Cincinnati who weren’t eating meat on Fridays.

After winning a taste test against a burger that McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc proposed, the Filet-O-Fish was added to the menu in 1965. Today, McDonald’s sells around 75 million of these sandwiches during Lent alone. Standard ingredients include a fish patty, tartar sauce, and American cheese on a bun. A fun twist is swapping the bun for an English muffin!

Arby’s Fish Offerings

Arby’s is known for roast beef, but they offer several fish sandwiches during Lent. They serve the Crispy Fish Sandwich with fried fish, shredded lettuce, and tartar sauce, along with a Fish ‘N Cheddar with cheese sauce, and a King’s Hawaiian Fish Deluxe that includes a tomato on a special bun.

They use Alaskan pollock for their fish, and their offerings come and go each year during the Lenten season. They’ve even had fun with marketing, previously trying to lure customers away from McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish.

Burger King’s Big Fish

Burger King’s Big Fish sandwich dates back to when the chain first tried to compete with McDonald’s fish offering in the 1960s. Today, it features panko-breaded Alaskan pollock, tartar sauce, lettuce, and pickles on a potato bun. They also introduced a Fiery Big Fish Sandwich for a limited time during Lent.

Although it’s not a focus in their campaigns, this sandwich appeals to those looking for a seafood option at Burger King.

Popeyes Flounder Fish Sandwich

Popeyes is celebrated for its chicken, but its Flounder Fish Sandwich has also earned rave reviews since it debuted in 2021. This sandwich has a breaded flounder filet, pickles, and your choice of tartar sauce or spicy mayo on a brioche bun. Fans often eagerly await its seasonal return each year.

Popeyes also serves various other seafood dishes, like shrimp, which are available throughout the year.

Wendy’s Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich

Wendy’s, known for its square burgers and Frosty desserts, also joins the fish sandwich crowd with its Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich. Made with Alaskan pollock, it includes tartar sauce, lettuce, pickles, and cheese on a premium bun.

While Wendy’s has previously marketed a North Pacific cod sandwich, they now offer the Crispy Panko option, which is temporarily available, though some locations might offer it year-round. If you want to try it, visiting before April would be wise!

Jack in the Box Fish Sandwich

Jack in the Box has a wide-ranging menu, including a seasonal Fish Sandwich for Lent. This sandwich features panko breaded Alaskan pollock with tartar sauce and lettuce on a buttery bun. It’s priced around $3, depending on the location.

Jack in the Box is even testing a fish and chips option in select areas, adding more variety to their seafood offerings.

More Chains Offering Fish Sandwiches

Many other national and regional chains also offer fish sandwiches during Lent. Dairy Queen has a Wild Alaskan Fish Sandwich, while Texas’s Whataburger features its Whatacatch Sandwich. Sonic and White Castle also get involved by offering their versions of fish sandwiches. Wienerschnitzel joins the fray too, serving fish and chips seasonally.

So, if you have a favorite fast food spot not mentioned, it’s worth checking if they have a fish sandwich for Lent!