Carl’s Jr. is a popular fast food chain known for their charbroiled burgers and chocolate chip cookies. But when Lent rolls around, many customers wonder – does Carl’s Jr offer fish sandwiches? As a long-time Carl’s Jr. fan, I decided to take a closer look at their menu to find out.
A Brief History of Carl’s Jr.
Carl’s Jr was founded in 1941 by Carl Karcher in Los Angeles, California. It started as a lone hot dog cart and grew into a regional chain focused on California. In the 1970s, the company began expanding nationwide and introduced new menu items like the famous Star Burger
Today, Carl’s Jr. has over 1,300 locations across the United States. While best known for burgers, they also offer chicken sandwiches, salads, breakfast items, and more. Their parent company is CKE Restaurants, which also owns Hardee’s.
Checking Out the Carl’s Jr. Lent Menu
When Lent comes around, many Christians abstain from eating meat on Fridays. That’s why fast food chains often roll out fish sandwiches for a limited time.
I headed over to the Carl’s Jr. website to browse their latest menu. Under a section titled “Limited Time Offers,” I found what I was looking for:
Panko Breaded Fish Sandwich
Served with tartar sauce on a toasted bun
The description didn’t provide much detail, so I did some more digging. According to food news sites, this sandwich features a pollock fish fillet with crispy panko breadcrumbs, lettuce, and tartar sauce on a bun.
The Panko Breaded Fish Sandwich is priced at around $3.29 individually or $6.39 for a combo. It’s available for a limited time during Lent at participating locations.
Fish Sandwiches of Carl’s Jr. Past
While the Panko Breaded Fish Sandwich is new for 2024, Carl’s Jr. has actually offered fish sandwiches a few times over the years during Lent.
Past versions like the Charbroiled Fish Sandwich featured an Atlantic cod fillet. They also previously offered a Crispy Fish Sandwich made with fried Alaskan pollock.
It seems the Panko Breaded Fish Sandwich is Carl’s Jr.’s latest iteration for 2024. The panko breading gives it an extra crunchy texture.
How Does It Compare to Other Chains?
Carl’s Jr.’s new fish sandwich puts them on par with other fast food chains’ Lent offerings.
For comparison, McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish is a fried fish patty on a bun, while Wendy’s offers a baked cod sandwich. Burger King’s Big Fish Sandwich is also a limited-time fish sandwich made with fried Alaskan pollock.
Among the major chains, Carl’s Jr.’s version stands out for using panko breadcrumbs to add a crunch. The pollock fillet also provides a white, flaky fish option.
Final Thoughts on the Panko Breaded Fish Sandwich
After looking at the menu info and food news coverage, it’s clear that Carl’s Jr. does offer a fish sandwich for Lent in 2024.
The Panko Breaded Fish Sandwich seems like a solid choice, especially if you want something crunchy and flavorful. While only available for a limited time, it gives customers a fish option alongside Carl’s Jr.’s usual burgers.
If you’re abstaining from meat this Lent, be sure to stop by Carl’s Jr. to try this sandwich. Just check their website or call ahead to confirm your local Carl’s Jr. has it in stock.
And don’t forget to pair it with their famous fries or onion rings for a complete seafood meal! The Panko Breaded Fish Sandwich may not last long, so visit Carl’s Jr. this Lenten season to get it while you can.
