Here’s how the fried fish sandwiches from Burger King, Wendy’s, Arby’s, Popeyes, Bojangles and McDonald’s stack up.
There are fish sandwiches on fast food menus all over the country around this time every year, as if the prayers of the faithful had called them there.
Of course, this huge catch of fried fish is mostly meant to satisfy the hunger of Catholics who, before 1966, didn’t eat red meat on Fridays, not just during Lent. Once upon a time, Roman Catholics ruled the Cincinnati suburbs, making hamburger sales their main source of income was a sure way to fail for restaurant owners like Louis Groen. In the early 1960s, Groen did just that. He was a McDonald’s franchisee, back before the chain was a household name. The nearby Big Boy restaurants, which served a fish sandwich every Friday, were killing him.
That’s why Groen started working with McDonald’s corporate team to make the Filet-O-Fish sandwich, even though McDonald’s owner Ray Kroc was totally against the idea. “Hell no!” Kroc apparently told Groen, according to “Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald’s,” Kroc’s 1977 book. “I don’t care if the Pope himself comes to Cincinnati. He can eat hamburgers like everybody else. We are not going to stink up our restaurants with any of your damned old fish. ”Advertisement.
Kroc was placing his bets — literally — on a creation he called the Hula Burger. It was two slices of cheese paired with a slice of grilled pineapple, tucked into a toasted bun. Kroc loved to have one for lunch. Groen and he bet that the business would sell both the Filet-O-Fish and the Hula Burger on a Friday. Whichever sandwich sold the most would earn a spot on the permanent menu. It was a landslide. Hula Burgers: 6; Filet-O-Fish: 350.
Kroc wrote in “Grinding It Out” that they first sold it only on Fridays in a few places. But people wanted it so badly that they made it available every day in all of their stores starting in 1965, advertising it as the “fish that catches people.” ”.
Following almost 60 years, all the major fast food chains serve a fish sandwich during Lent, if they don’t already do so all year. The variations between each are small but significant. Many chains use Alaskan pollock, a flaky white fish, as their main ingredient. The fish is then covered in a seasoning mixture and topped with different kinds of vegetables and meat. There is a surprising amount of individuation to be conjured from this tight handful of ingredients. Advertisement.
Is the tartar sauce sweet or sour? Does the chain add two more acids by putting pickles on the sandwich? Is the bun brioche or potato? Is the coating thick or thin? Spiced or just plain? Does it come with a slice of cheese or a half-slice like on the Filet-O-Fish? (By the way, this is not an accident; Kroc wrote about it in his book.) ).
That is, this wave of seasonal sandwiches was carefully planned and advertised to appeal to people who are hungry during Lent. All these fried fishes are a prayer answered not by God but by corporate America.
For the following ranking, I tried 10 fish sandwiches at six national chains. You’ll notice that the sandwich that started it all didn’t make the list. The Filet-O-Fish I tried was greasy, bready, and chewy in a strange way. Its fish was muddy, and, worse, it was smothered in tartar sauce. It was the kind of lackluster bite that makes you think: Bring on the Hula Burger!.
As one of the world’s largest and most iconic fast food chains, KFC is synonymous with its signature fried chicken. The Colonel’s original recipe is so popular that KFC sells over 1.5 billion pieces of chicken every single year!
But chicken isn’t the only meat on the menu. KFC actually offers a surprisingly wide range of non-chicken options, including fish. So for all the pescatarians and seafood lovers out there, the question arises – does KFC have fish sandwiches?
I decided to embark on an investigatory mission to uncover the truth about fish sandwiches at KFC. Turns out, the answer isn’t quite as simple as you may think. Keep reading for a deep dive into the elusive world of KFC’s fish offerings.
Checking the KFC Menu Board
My first stop was logically the KFC menu itself I headed to my local KFC and scoped out the menu board, assuming this would provide a quick answer Unfortunately, no traditional fish sandwiches were anywhere to be found amongst the usual fried chicken sandwiches and sides. Just the standard chicken fare.
However, I did spot a couple of items that caught my eye – the Kentucky Fish Sandwich and Fish Snacker. These sounded promising! Maybe regional location influences which fish options are available? I would have to dig deeper.
Searching the KFC Website
Next, I pulled up the official KFC website to browse their entire online menu. Scrolling through the options, it was clear that traditional battered fish sandwiches were not a regular staple nationwide. There were some regional exceptions I’ll get to shortly.
However, I did find the same two fish-based menu items – the Kentucky Fish Sandwich and Fish Snacker. The ingredient lists showed they are made with Alaskan pollock fish, breaded and fried Definitely seemed to satisfy the definition of a fish sandwich!
Checking Social Media for Clues
Expanding my search to Twitter and Instagram, I found several posts from KFC customers raving about ordering fish sandwiches from their local KFCs. Commenters chimed in asking for their location, implying fish sandwiches are a regional exclusive.
One Instagram video showed a customer unboxing an impressive-looking fried fish sandwich dubbed the “KFC Fish Zinger”. The sandwich even came with tartar sauce – a hallmark condiment of fish sandwiches. Interesting… fish sandwiches seem to exist under mysterious, market-specific names.
Watching KFC Fish Sandwich Reviews on YouTube
Heading over to YouTube, I found a wealth of videos reviewing elusive KFC fish sandwiches. One vlogger in California highlighted the crispy fried white fish on a bun, branded as the Fish Snacker. Another YouTuber in the Philippines taste-tested the KFC Fish Zinger.
Reviewers praised the tender white fish with crunchy exterior, agreeing KFC can give traditional fast food fish sandwiches a run for their money. Clearly, fish sandwiches are on the secret menu at certain locations.
Key Findings on KFC Fish Sandwiches
Based on my investigative research, here’s a summary of what I uncovered about KFC fish sandwiches:
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They are not available nationwide on standard menus.
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Regional locations do offer select fish sandwiches under various naming conventions: Fish Snacker, Fish Zinger, Kentucky Fish Sandwich.
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These sandwiches feature a fried white fish patty, likely Alaskan Pollock, on a bun with tartar sauce.
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Customer reviews praise the sandwiches for their tender fish and signature crispy KFC breading.
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Social media shows customers ordering fish sandwiches from specific KFCs in US, Asia, Middle East.
So in essence, while not a publicized menu item, you can in fact order fish sandwiches at select KFC locations around the world if you know to ask! The Colonel has been secretly satisfying pescatarians all along.
Why Aren’t KFC Fish Sandwiches Nationwide?
With the mystery of the elusive fish sandwiches solved, I was curious why KFC doesn’t advertise them more widely or offer them nationwide. A few potential reasons emerged:
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Regional preferences and tastes likely influence menu decisions.
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Limited-time promotions allow testing new offerings without commitment.
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Keeping the menu focused on core fried chicken offerings may be more profitable.
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Introducing new permanent menu items requires extensive training and rollout.
For now, KFC seems content keeping fish on the backburner as a “secret menu” item for dedicated customers to discover. But who knows… with growing sustainability and healthy-eating trends, KFC fish sandwiches could swim into the mainstream menu someday!
How to Order KFC Fish Sandwiches
So you may be wondering: If fish sandwiches aren’t plainly listed on KFC menus, how do you go about ordering one? Here are some tips to satisfy your fish craving at KFC restaurants:
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Ask politely if they offer any type of fish sandwich specials. Employees will let you know of any current offerings.
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Try requesting the “Fish Snacker” or “Fish Zinger” by name, if reviews indicate your location has them.
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Check regional KFC Facebook pages for ads about limited-time fish sandwich promotions.
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Be open-minded and don’t expect all locations to offer fish. Fried chicken still rules the roost here!
With some creativity and flexibility, you can unlock KFC’s best-kept fishy secret for yourself. Just don’t forget the tartar sauce!
Alternative Seafood Options at KFC
If your local KFC doesn’t accommodate secret fish sandwiches, don’t despair. You can still satisfy your seafood craving thanks to some creative menu hacking. Here are some tips:
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Order a pot pie and add a fish filet from another restaurant. Voila! Surf and turf.
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Get a bowl and add popcorn shrimp or fish bites from the sides menu. DIY shrimp bowl!
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Ask for a chicken sandwich without chicken. Add shrimp or other fried seafood on top.
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Choose a chicken-free salad and top with surimi crabmeat or tuna from the grocery store.
With an open mind (and access to a grocery store), you can craft your own signature KFC seafood meal. Get creative and take matters into your own hands!
The Takeaway: Don’t Overlook KFC for Fish
Who knew that behind its crispy fried chicken facade, KFC has secretly been serving up tasty fish sandwiches at certain locations? With a little creativity and insider menu knowledge, you can uncover regional fish offerings or even craft your own customized seafood meal.
While not yet a mainstream menu item, the positive reviews show KFC’s fish sandwiches and seafood alternatives absolutely satisfy fish cravings and stand up to competitors. Don’t sleep on the Colonel for your next fish fry! With 12,000+ global locations and rabid fans worldwide, expanding their seafood selections seems an inevitable next chapter.
So embrace your inner food detective, scope out local KFC menus and don’t be afraid to ask questions. With some strategic menu hacking, you can make sure your next fast food pit stop still suits your seafood tastes! The fishy truth is out there.
Bojangles’ Bojangler Fish Sandwich
When I ate my Alaskan pollock, the tips of the fish stuck out of both ends of the toasted bun, making it look like Giannis Antetokounmpo was trying to sleep on a couch for kids. The purpose of the presentation was to show a level of kindness that can’t be summed up in a single bun. The fillet was hot and fresh when it got there, and there were no signs of oil on it, even though it had been taken out of the fryer seconds before. The sandwich is low-frills: just a fried fillet, a slice of American cheese, tartar sauce and a bun. But the elements are in harmony. There is a lot of contrast between the cool, creamy tartar and the heat of the fish. There is also a lot of contrast between the sweetness of the sauce and the bite of the black pepper in the batter and the softness of the bun. A fine specimen of the fast-food craft. Advertisement.
$5.49 per sandwich, but prices vary by location.
The Arby’s Crispy Fish Sandwich
The coating on this sandwich is thick, providing both crunch and a modest amount of chewiness, as if Arby’s slipped mochi rice dough into the batter. The chain relies on pollock, as many do, because the species is cheap, abundant and available in the wild, which allows operators to market their fish as “wild caught.” The mild pollock comes slathered with a tartar sauce that runs sweet, no doubt due to its generous application of high-fructose corn syrup. Tucked into a sesame seed bun that holds its shape better than its squishy brioche bun competitors, the fillet is accompanied by lots of shredduce, that clever portmanteau for shredded lettuce. The sandwich feels a bit more processed than its peers. But it also just works. I devoured the thing.Advertisement
$5.49 per sandwich, but prices vary by location.