Gearing Up For Lent? The 11 Best Fast Food Fish Options

While most fast food attention goes to hamburgers and chicken sandwiches, what about fish? Whether you want tartar sauce, lettuce, pickles, or even American cheese, there are options for those who want something from the sea. While not every fast food chain offers seafood, there are quite a few that have either seasonal or permanent fish options.

If you don't know, Catholics worldwide traditionally abstain from eating meat on Friday's during Lent - the 40-day lead up to Jesus Christ's sacrifice on Good Friday. Although they can't consume meat, they often consume fish and other seafood as a form of sacrifice and observation throughout Lent. With Lent starting on February 18, 2026 , it's probably best to prepare for the most suitable options to grab a quick Friday night dinner. But which options are the best?

11. Filet-O-Fish Sandwich

Where do I find it? McDonald's

While this is a classic sandwich that pretty much everyone has heard of, it's fallen by the wayside in recent years. McDonald's takes Alaskan pollock and breads it, fries it, and slaps it on a steamed bun with American cheese and tartar sauce. It's been a "Lent Friday" staple since its debut in 1965, but most consumers see it as one of the least favorited options in the modern age.

10. Big Fish Sandwich

Where do I find it? Burger King

While it's advertised as a king, this sandwich from Burger King is a pretty mid-sized offering. While this is also a breaded and fried piece of Alaskan pollock, it's said to be more crispy than other sandwiches. It also leaves off cheese and comes with lettuce, pickles, and zesty tartar sauce.

9. North Atlantic Cod Dinner

Where do I find it? Culver's

Culver's is famous for their Wisconsin cheddar and butter burgers, but they are really crushing the game with their seafood options. Shaking things up with a non-sandwich offering, the chain gives more of a fish and chip vibe with their cod dinner - two pieces of fried fish complete with tartar sauce, a dinner roll, and your choice of two sides. You can choose between crinkle cut fries, coleslaw, steamed broccoli, Wisconsin cheese curds, onion rings, chili, side salad, mashed potatoes & gravy, and more. Given the amount of choices and the size of the fish tenders, it's not a bad option at all if you don't want a sandwich.

8. Beer-Battered Fish Tacos

Where do I find it? Del Taco

The one and only Mexican-themed offering on the list, Del Taco brings in the heat with fish tacos. While these crispy, battered Alaskan pollock tacos are a year-round offering, the deals are amped up during Lent. You can enjoy crispy fish tacos, as well as shrimp tacos either by themselves or in a combo with fries and a drink. If you want fried fish but don't want to spring for a sandwich, tacos are a great option.

7. Flounder Fish Sandwich

Where do I find it? Popeye's

Following the success of their chicken sandwich in 2019, Popeye's shifted the focus to fish sandwiches in 2021. What sets Popeye's apart is the fact that they strayed away from the go-to Alaskan pollock and serve an Alaskan flounder fillet. Complete with their Louisiana-seasoned coating, this sandwich is finished off with a brioche bun, pickles, and tartar sauce.

6. Crispy Fish Sandwich

Where do I find it? Arby's

While Arby's boasts about "having the meats," it seems that they also want to have the fish. During the Spring, Arby's offers quite a few fish sandwiches to appease Lent observers, but we'll focus on the main crispy fish sandwich. Alaskan pollock is breaded, fried, and slapped on a sesame seed bun with lettuce and tartar sauce. Consumers often give Arby's kudos for the crispy fish and the fact that it's not an overly fishy flavor - if you want a more mild fish sandwich.

5. North Atlantic Cod Sandwich

Where do I find it? Culver's

The chain brags about the fish being caught in the "North Atlantic," the perfectly fried fillet is placed on a toasted hoagie roll complete with tartar sauce, shredded Wisconsin cheddar cheese, and lettuce. You know it's good when there is a "fish may contain bones" disclaimer.

4. 2-Piece Fish Combo

Where do I find it? Long John Silver's

While Long John Silver's is kind of a dying chain, those observing Lent (or just seafood lovers in general) can find a solid meal despite being a fast food chain. The 2-piece fish combo gives you two hefty pieces of fried Alaskan pollock complete with one side, hush puppies, and a drink. If you're feeling extra hungry, you can add a third piece of fish, fried clams, or even fried or grilled shrimp.

3. Fish Sandwich

Where do I find it? Long John Silver's

To no surprise, a fish sandwich from the seafood-focused restaurant also falls near the top. This sandwich from Long John Silver's takes fried Alaskan pollock and completes it with a toasted bun, pickles, and tartar sauce. Consumers argue that this sandwich gives better flavor with a fish batter rather than just breading, which leads to a more tender fish.

2. "Texas" Fish Sandwich

Where do I find it? Church's Texas Chicken

Church's brings in the big guns during Lent with their offering of a crispy fish sandwich. Their sandwich features wild-caught Alaskan pollock complete with a brioche bun, creamy mayo, and pickles. It's surprising for most to say the best fish sandwich comes from a fried chicken chain, but it's true! Consumers praise Church's *wink* over the flavor the sandwich delivers, along with the crispy but tender fish fillet. During the season, you can also add on fried shrimp or get the crispy fish as a wrap.

1. Northwoods Walleye Sandwich

Where do I find it? Culver's

Culver's lands on the list for the third time with the Northwoods sandwich. The chain takes a fried Canadian walleye fillet and places it on a toasted hoagie roll with "special recipe" tartar sauce and lettuce. This sandwich is often praised as the best fish sandwich you can get from a fast food joint, and it's yet another variant from Alaskan pollock.

Honorable Mentions

• Panko Breaded Fish Slider - White Castle
• Crispy Alaska Cod Sandwich - A&W
• BojAngler Fish Sandwich - Bojangles
• Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich - Wendy's
• Redhook Beer-Battered Fish Sandwich - Carl's Jr. / Hardee's
• Tuna Fish Sub - Jersey Mike's Subs
• Panko Breaded Fish Sandwich - Whataburger
• Sonic Fish Sandwich - Sonic
• Tuna Sandwich - Subway
• Wild Alaskan Fish Sandwich - Dairy Queen
• Pacific Cod Fish Sandwich - Steak 'n Shake
• Tuna Salad Sandwich - Panera Bread

What is your favorite fast food fish meal to get you through Lent? Let us know in the comments!