How Much Does a Culver’s Fish Sandwich Cost in 2022?

As a Midwesterner, Culver’s and its famous Butterburgers hold a special place in my heart. But as someone who loves seafood, I’m also a big fan of their North Atlantic cod sandwiches. The tender white fish fillet with Culver’s signature tartar sauce hits the spot when I want something lighter than a burger.

But with food costs rising lately I’ve wondered – how much does a Culver’s fish sandwich set you back these days? I did some menu research to find the latest cod sandwich prices at this popular fast casual chain.

In this article, I’ll share what I learned about the cost of Culver’s fish sandwiches and other key menu details. Let’s dive in!

An Overview of Culver’s Fish Sandwiches

Culver’s offers two seafood sandwich choices on their menu

• North Atlantic Cod Sandwich
• Crispy Chicken Bacon Ranch Melt

The cod sandwich features a fried or baked Atlantic cod fillet topped with lettuce Wisconsin cheddar, and tartar sauce on a hoagie roll.

It was added to the menu in 2013 along with the chain’s Northwoods Walleye sandwich, though the walleye has since been discontinued.

Culver’s promotes its cod as wild-caught in the North Atlantic. The white fish is mild, flaky, and versatile for everything from fish tacos to fish and chips.

Along with seafood sandwiches, Culver’s menu includes butterburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, frozen custard, sides, and kids’ meals.

Now let’s look at the key question: how much does a Culver’s cod sandwich cost?

Culver’s Fish Sandwich Prices

Culver’s fish sandwich prices can vary slightly by location but generally fall in this range:

• North Atlantic Cod Sandwich – $6.79 – $7.29

Here are some specifics on current prices:

• Jacksonville, FL – $6.79
• Wausau, WI – $7.29
• Houston, TX – $7.09
• Phoenix, AZ – $7.19

The cost reflects pricing for the cod sandwich alone without any sides or combos. Kids’ meals with the fish sandwich tend to cost a few dollars less.

What contributes to the fish sandwich price? Let’s break it down:

Cost Factors for Culver’s Fish Sandwiches

A few key factors play into the retail price you’ll pay for a Culver’s fish sandwich:

Ingredients – The cod fillet, hoagie bun, tartar sauce, lettuce, and cheese all have individual material costs. Rising food costs for seafood and other ingredients impact the total.

Preparation – Each sandwich is made to order, with cod hand-breaded, fried or baked, and assembled with toppings. Labor costs for this cooking and assembly process contribute to pricing.

Overhead – Location costs like rent, utilities, insurance and other operating expenses allow Culver’s to keep their doors open. These overhead costs are distributed across menu prices.

Profit Margin – As a business, Culver’s aims to make a profit from each item sold. The remaining margin after costs provides profits to expand the business.

Supply Chain – Getting ingredients from suppliers to the restaurant also incurs transportation, storage, and distribution costs that influence end pricing.

Taxes – Sales tax rates in the city and state where the restaurant is located get tacked onto the pre-tax price.

As you can see, a lot goes into offering a sandwich for $6 – $7! Now let’s see how Culver’s fish sandwich costs stack up against competitors.

Comparing Culver’s Fish Sandwich Prices to Alternatives

How does the cost of a cod sandwich at Culver’s compare to other fast food fish sandwiches? Here’s a quick rundown:

• McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish – $4.39
• Arby’s Crispy Fish Sandwich – $4.99
• Wendy’s Premium Cod Fillet Sandwich – $4.69
• Shake Shack Crispy Cod Sandwich – $8.09

Culver’s cod sandwich pricing lands squarely in the middle of competitors. It costs a couple dollars more than basic fish sandwiches at McDonald’s and Wendy’s.

However, Shake Shack charges over $8 for their upmarket fried cod sandwich. By comparison, Culver’s provides a premium fish sandwich at a better value.

Tips for Saving Money on Culver’s Fish Sandwiches

If you’re hoping to ease the hit to your wallet from Culver’s fish sandwiches, here are some ways to save:

• Choose North Atlantic cod over pricier shrimp or lobster rolls when available
• Opt for fried over baked cod to save about 50 cents
• Order a kids meal with the sandwich and fries/applesauce for smaller portions
• Take advantage of monthly specials or coupon deals on seafood
• Purchase a Culver’s gift card for a friend to earn a free sandwich reward
• Join the MyCulver’s loyalty program to earn points toward free food
• Order takeout instead of dine-in to avoid tipping

With smart choices, you can still enjoy the flavor of Culver’s cod sandwiches while sticking to your budget.

Is the Quality Worth the Price?

Given the costs that go into sourcing, preparing, and selling food these days, Culver’s $7 fish sandwich seems reasonably priced for the quality.

Reviewers praise the generous portion of flaky mild cod and the tangy tartar sauce that sets Culver’s apart from competitors. The hoagie roll also earns accolades for being pillowy soft.

When you factor in the care put into hand-cutting, battering, and frying each cod fillet fresh, $6 – $7 is comparable or even cheaper than local restaurants. Plus you get the reliability of a steady, national chain.

For those reasons, Culver’s remains a go-to for Midwesterners craving a tasty fish fry sandwich with friendly service and custard on the side. The value still shines through, even at today’s prices.

So next time you get an urge for breaded fish goodness, head to your nearest Culver’s and grab a cod sandwich. Just know it will set you back around $7 depending on location. But fans agree this fast casual treat is still well worth it!