Ive worked really hard to establish myself as The Takeouts resident Fast Fish Evangelist. Im not even a pescatarian, nor do I limit my meat intake for religious reasons. I just love drive-thru fish and always have. Drive-thru fish is jazzier than a plain ol cheeseburger, and its typically lighter than fried chicken. Worst-case scenario, it serves as a fish-flavored ketchup spoon, which is just fine with me. So, as soon as I heard about the new Popeyes Cajun Flounder Sandwich, I dropped anchor and sailed west to the beautiful Drive-Thru Fish Isles.
Okay, let’s start with some background: Popeyes’s now-iconic chicken sandwich changed the fast food sandwich world for good. When it came out in 2019, the product started the so-called “chicken sandwich wars” that are still going strong almost two years later. What could a Cajun chain like Popeyes do to make a new sandwich that lived up to the chicken hype?
Popeyes must have learned this lesson after the mess with the BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken Sandwich last summer: don’t fix what ain’t broken. The flounder sandwich is basically the Popeyes chicken sandwich, but with fish. This is how the brand describes the new sandwich:
Thats right: same bun, same pickles. But would it give me the same overwhelming pleasure? To find out, I had the sandwich delivered as early as possible (10:56 a.m.) m. , because fast fish is an Anytime Food).
The sandwich came in a cute little bag buried in a huge pile of the chain’s famous seasoned fries. Ill admit that my heart sank a little when I opened the bag. The flounder patty looks at least two inches thick in the publicity photos, like it’s bursting out of the brioche bun like Lenny Kravitz at a music festival. But the actual flounder patty was only about an inch high at its tallest point. The two pickles under the patty were also very small and thin, and you couldn’t even see them. The layer of sauce on top of the patty was more of a light smattering. The brioche bun, which was soft, pillowy, and shiny with butter, was the only thing that looked like the picture.
But looks aside, my first bite didnt disappoint. Like the chicken sandwich, the Cajun Flounder Sandwich has some kick to it, thanks to Cajun-spiced breading. Im a certified spice weenie, but I handled this one just fine. The sandwich was actually just spicy enough to make it stand out from other fast fish sandwiches I’ve had in the past. But could the breading hold up to the impossibly high standard set by the Popeyes chicken sandwich?.
Actually, yes. It’s hard to tell from the picture I took, but the flounder patty was still perfectly crunchy after it was delivered to my door, which took about 45 minutes because of the Chicago blizzard/cold snap that has been going on for 10 days. After the crunchy breading, the white, flaky flounder came out. It tasted good without being fishy like a lot of drive-thru cod. The tartar sauce on top of the patty lent the whole thing a creamy, tangy finish.
In the end, the only downside was the barrel-aged pickle issue. I know these are a must-have for a chicken sandwich, but mine were small and mushy, and the tartar sauce was already making the sandwich great. I ended up ditching the pickles and spreading a bit of spare sauce on the bottom bun. Thats the other thing: I wouldve enjoyed a slightly more generous tartar sauce spread.
It doesn’t look like much, but it’s really filling—even more so than some of the so-so fast food burgers on the market today. (I did eat the sandwich a mere 1. 5 hours after my breakfast, so thats something to consider. As I already said, the sandwich came with a huge pile of fries, but I haven’t eaten those yet.
Ultimately, the Popeyes Cajun Flounder Sandwich gets high marks in my book. Id recommend this one for pescatarians, Lent observers, or simple fish-loving plebeians like myself. However, the sandwich does its job and has a level of spice and crunch that I have never seen in all the years I have ordered fish at a drive-thru.
See for yourself: starting today, February 11, the new sandwich will be available in Popeyes stores nationwide. The fish sandwich costs $4. 49 a pop, a slight increase over the $3. 99 chicken sandwich, but if you don’t like it, you can get a new one for free with the brand’s Sandwich Insurance offer for an extra 10 cents today only through the app. If you order the Cajun Flounder Sandwich and don’t like it, Popeyes will give you the tried-and-true chicken sandwich instead. So either way, satisfaction is guaranteed.
Popeyes recently launched their new Cajun Flounder Sandwich, sparking curiosity and excitement among fast food fans. Many are wondering – just how spicy is this new fried fish offering? In this article, we’ll take a close look at the sandwich’s ingredients and heat level to determine if it brings the spice
An Overview of Popeyes’ New Fish Sandwich
In February 2021, Popeyes introduced the Cajun Flounder Sandwich nationwide. It features a fried flounder fillet topped with barrel cured pickles and tartar sauce, served on a brioche bun.
The sandwich is designed to mimic their insanely popular chicken sandwich, which took the fast food world by storm in 2019. Early reviews praised the flounder version for its crispy breading and flaky fish
But the question on everyone’s mind is – does this supposedly “Cajun” sandwich actually pack any heat? Let’s explore the key factors that contribute to its spice level.
Mild vs. Spicy Cajun Seasoning
According to Popeyes, the flounder fillet is seasoned in a blend of the brand’s mild and spicy Cajun spices. They likely use a ratio that leans more towards mild to appeal to the masses.
Cajun seasoning is known for blending paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, oregano, and thyme. It brings a mix of heat and robust flavor.
The amount of cayenne used can greatly impact the level of spice. Popeyes seems to use just enough to bring a touch of heat without overwhelming more sensitive palates.
Crunchy, Spiced Breadcrumbs
In addition to the seasoning, the flounder fillet itself is coated in spiced breadcrumbs before frying. This adds another layer of flavor and a pleasant crunch when bitten into.
The crisp, golden batter also provides a subtle level of spiciness. Reviewers describe it as just enough to give the sandwich a kick without being tongue-numbing.
Spice Level: Mild to Medium
Based on customer reactions and a review of the ingredients, the overall consensus is that the sandwich provides a mild to medium spice level.
Those with high heat tolerance may find it on the milder side. But for average spice lovers, it offers the perfect balance of flavor without going overboard on the Scoville units.
The spice is present but doesn’t dominate the other flavors of the fish, tartar sauce, and pickles. Most agree it hits the sweet spot of being just spicy enough.
Satisfying Without Being Overwhelming
Many fans appreciate that the sandwich isn’t eye-wateringly hot. You can still taste the light, savory flounder rather than just burning your mouth.
The milder blend of Cajun spices also makes it accessible for those who can’t tolerate extremely spicy food. You get a taste of heat along with omega-3 rich fish and cool tartar sauce.
For those craving something more fiery, adding Popeyes fiery pepper sauce can quickly turn up the heat. But overall, the sandwich satisfies without leaving you gasping for water.
How It Compares to Other Popeyes Menu Items
Popeyes is known for Cajun-inspired heat, especially in their fried chicken. So how does the flounder sandwich compare to other menu items in terms of spice?
The fish sandwich lands around a 3-4 out of 10 on the spice scale. For comparison:
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Plain chicken tenders – no spice, 0/10
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Mild chicken – 1-2/10
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Spicy chicken – 5-6/10
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Blackened chicken tenders – 7-8/10
So the fish sandwich comes in right around the “mild” chicken spice level. It offers some heat, but won’t scorch your taste buds like the spicy or blackened chicken.
Perfect for New or Mild Spice Lovers
For those new to Cajun cuisine or who prefer food on the milder side, the flounder sandwich hits the spot. Kids, older adults, and spice-averse folks will find it packed with flavor yet gentle on the palate.
Even many hardcore spice fans find it pleasantly peppery while still allowing the tastes of the fish, bun, and sauce to shine. It caters to a wide range of preferences.
Tips to Make It Spicier
While decidedly not a five-alarm fiery feast, there are some hacks to give the sandwich more heat:
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Add several shakes of Popeyes hot sauce or fiery pepper sauce
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Request extra packets of Cajun seasoning and sprinkle it on
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Mix a few splashes of hot sauce into the tartar sauce
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Coat the bun with spicy garlic herb butter
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Pour on a dash of hot chili oil or Cayenne pepper sauce
So for those who crave a real spice kick, you can customize to dial up the heat.
The Verdict: A Mild But Flavorful Fried Fish
Popeyes Cajun Flounder Sandwich delivers a gentle spice level. It blends just enough sassy Cajun seasoning and crisp, peppery breading to keep things interesting. The zing plays nicely with the tasty fish and cooling tartar sauce.
Fans praise this milder heat as letting the seafood shine rather than scalding your mouth. Yet it packs enough punch to set itself apart from a basic fish sandwich. Overall, it satisfies cravings for a spicy crunch without bringing the fire.
Next time you’re debating the drive-thru, try the new sandwich to add some bayou flair to your meal. And don’t forget the extra hot sauce packets!
Popeyes® Spicy Flounder Fish Sandwich VS Classic Flounder Fish Sandwich! ️ | theendorsement
Does Popeyes have a flounder fish sandwich?
Popeyes recently welcomed its Flounder Fish Sandwich back to the menu just in time for Lent. This sandwich features a breaded and fried flounder filet that gets topped with pickles and sauce and served on a brioche bun. You can choose to order this sandwich as a Classic with tartar sauce or as a Spicy with spicy mayo .
Does Popeyes have a fish sandwich?
Now, Popeyes is getting in on the action. Sure, this fast food chain may be known for its chicken, but it also serves up some solid seafood options, too. Its seasonal fish sandwich in particular is a favorite that fans are welcoming back with excitement. Popeyes recently welcomed its Flounder Fish Sandwich back to the menu just in time for Lent.
Does Popeyes have seafood?
Seafood Is Back! Seafood Is Back! Here at Popeyes, we’re bringing back two seafood offerings just in time for lent, the Flounder Fish Sandwich and the Shrimp Tackle Box, both available now for a limited time at participating restaurants nationwide.
What kind of fish does Popeyes eat?
Choosing flounder is a sure way for Popeyes to stand out from the pack. Alaskan pollock is the main fish sandwich meat, with McDonald’s, Burger King, Arby’s, and Wendy’s all using it for their filets. Pacific cod is also popular, with Chick-fil-A and Steak N’ Shake confirmed as using it.