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!.
Burger King’s fish sandwiches are a great option if you’re looking for something different from the usual burgers and chicken sandwiches. But before you head to Burger King to order one, you might be wondering – how much does a fish sandwich cost there?
In this article, we’ll break down the prices for Burger King’s fish sandwiches so you know exactly what to expect to pay. We’ll also provide some tips to get the best deal on your fish sandwich order. Let’s dive in!
An Overview of Burger King’s Fish Sandwiches
Burger King currently offers two main types of fish sandwiches on their menu – the Big Fish Sandwich and the Big Fish Sandwich Meal.
The Big Fish Sandwich is their classic fish sandwich option. It features a crispy battered white fish fillet topped with tartar sauce and lettuce on a sesame seed bun. The Big Fish Sandwich contains 560 calories
The Big Fish Sandwich Meal takes the Big Fish Sandwich and pairs it with a small side and small drink of your choice. Side options include fries, onion rings, etc. Meal calories vary depending on customization.
In addition to the regular menu items Burger King also sometimes offers limited-time promotional fish sandwiches. For example, in the past they’ve offered a Spicy Fish Sandwich and a BK Fish sandwich option. Availability of promotional sandwiches varies by location.
Now that we’ve covered the main fish sandwich choices at Burger King, let’s look at current pricing.
Current Pricing for Burger King Fish Sandwiches
According to Burger King’s online prices as of June 2024, here is what you can expect to pay for their fish sandwiches:
- Big Fish Sandwich – $6.99
- Big Fish Sandwich Meal – $9.99
The meal price will vary slightly based on if you upgrade to a medium or large side and drink, which are $0.75 and $1.50 more, respectively.
So if you want just the fish sandwich on its own, you’re looking at right around $7 before tax. Opting for the meal will bring your total to around $10 or more.
There are also occasional Mix and Match promotions where you can get 2 Big Fish Sandwiches for $5 total. This allows you to grab two fish sandwiches at a discounted price if the promotion is running.
Getting the Best Deal on Burger King Fish Sandwiches
Here are some tips to get the lowest price on a Burger King fish sandwich:
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Check for Mix and Match deals – Buying two sandwiches in a promotion is cheaper than buying individually.
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Download the BK app – The app regularly offers exclusive fish sandwich coupons and deals.
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Sign up for email list – You’ll get coupons and discounts delivered right to your inbox.
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Order “a la carte” – Skip the meal and order just the sandwich to save a couple bucks.
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Consider downsizing – The Big Fish is cheaper than premium sandwiches like the Big King.
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Stick to water – Don’t order a soda, which adds to the meal price
Saving just a dollar or two per sandwich may not seem like much, but it adds up over time. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to enjoy Burger King fish sandwiches without overspending.
Nutrition Information for Burger King Fish Sandwiches
If you’re wondering about the nutrition details of Burger King’s fish sandwich options, here is a quick overview:
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Big Fish Sandwich – 560 calories, 25g fat, 44g carbs, 22g protein
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Big Fish Sandwich Meal (with fries and soda) – 820 calories, 41g fat, 90g carbs, 34g protein
As you can see, going for the fish sandwich alone instead of the meal can save you 260+ calories and 16g of fat. The meal also delivers almost double the carbs thanks to the fries and soda.
Burger King’s fish sandwiches provide a good serving of protein but are higher in sodium content. Those watching their salt intake may want to limit the tartar sauce.
Overall the fish sandwiches make a nice alternative to burgers and chicken if you are aiming for more variety. Just be mindful of extra calories from sides and condiments.
Fish Sandwich Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking to save a few bucks or want to compare nutrition numbers, here are some fast food fish sandwich alternatives you may want to consider:
- McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish – 390 calories, 19g fat (cheaper at $4.39)
- Wendy’s North Pacific Cod Sandwich – 380 calories, 17g fat (similar $4.79 price)
- Arby’s King Salmon Sandwich – 510 calories, 28g fat (pricier at $5.99)
McDonald’s and Wendy’s offer lower calorie fish sandwiches in the $4-5 range compared to Burger King’s 560 calorie Big Fish at $6.99. Arby’s salmon sandwich costs a little more but packs omega-3s you won’t find in the other options.
Trying some different places can let you find your perfect fish sandwich match based on taste, budget and nutrition priorities. Don’t be afraid to explore beyond just Burger King!
Customer Reviews of Burger King’s Fish Sandwiches
Curious what people think of Burger King’s fish sandwich offerings? Here’s a sampling of recent customer opinions:
“The Big Fish is always hot and crispy straight from the fryer. The tartar sauce gives it a nice tangy flavor. It’s not the highest quality fish but still tasty for fast food.”
“I wish they would bring back the BK Fish sandwich. The Big Fish is fine but I liked the crunch of the breading on the old one better.”
“The fish itself doesn’t have much flavor but you can load it up with extra tartar sauce and lettuce to give it some moisture and crunch.”
“Always super greasy but that’s pretty much what you’d expect. I add extra pickles to cut through the oiliness. Decent option for days when you want fish.”
In general, customers find Burger King’s fish sandwiches to be decent, especially for fast food. The sandwiches tend to be quite greasy but the flavor and crunch of the breading remains a highlight. Customizing with extra toppings can enhance the experience.
Is the Burger King Fish Sandwich Worth It?
At the end of the day, is splurging on a Burger King fish sandwich really worth it? Here are some key pros and cons:
Pros
- Convenient fast food option for fish
- Crunchy exterior breading
- Reasonable prices compared to sit-down restaurants
- Customizable with tartar sauce and toppings
Cons
- Fish tends to be low quality and lacking flavor
- Typically prepared very greasy and high in calories
- Some find the tartar sauce overly tangy
- Hit or miss in terms of freshness
For many fast food fans, the convenience factor of getting fish at a quick drive-thru outweighs some of the cons. Yes, it is greasy, but that is expected. If you load up on tartar sauce and lettuce you can make the sandwiches more enjoyable.
The fish itself won’t blow you away but Burger King’s preparations and prices are reasonable for this category. Focus on the crispy breading and sauces rather than just the fish. Within that context, BK’s fish sandwiches deliver.
Overall, the Burger King fish sandwich makes for an affordable fast food option to satisfy a fish craving on the go. Just don’t expect Michelin star seafood quality! Approach it with the right mindset and you can enjoy this convenient, crunchy sandwich.
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.
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.
Burger King Big Fish – #5 Fast Food Fish Sandwich Season Review
Should you eat a big fish sandwich at Burger King?
It’s probably safe to assume that nobody goes to fast-food restaurants looking for a healthy meal, but a nutritionist at CNN Health still singled out the Big Fish sandwich as a great Burger King menu item to enjoy on a road trip — sans the tartar sauce and about half of the bun.
How many calories are in a Burger King Big Fish sandwich?
According to Burger King, the Big Fish clocks in at 513 calories. The sandwich additionally packs in 27.8 grams of fat, 51.1 grams of carbohydrates, and 1,181.3 milligrams of sodium. According to the FDA, that’s more than half of the sodium recommended a day for adults, so if you’re watching your salt intake, keep an eye out for this sandwich.
Does Burger King have a big fish patty?
The Burger King Lent Selection offers an array of meat-free menu items, and the Big Fish patty is featured as the base for several of them. Beyond the Big Fish is a Big Fish Deluxe (with added onions, pickles, Big King sauce, and a slice of cheese), Big Fish and Big Fish Deluxe Meals, and a Big Fish Deal.
How does Burger King Big Fish measure up?
To see how Burger King’s Big Fish measures up, you first need to take a peek underneath the bun. What is the Burger King Big Fish? According to Burger King , the Big Fish Sandwich consists of a White Alaskan Pollock fillet breaded with panko breadcrumbs and topped with iceberg lettuce, sweet tartar sauce, and pickles.