12 US Restaurant Chains That Nail Fried Fish And 4 That Actually Taste Homemade
There’s just something magical about that first bite of perfectly fried fish—the golden, crispy coating shattering into flakes of tender, flavorful goodness.
It’s comfort food with a crunch, and I’ve made it my personal mission to find the best versions across America’s restaurant chains. Over the years (and many road trips), I’ve sampled fish baskets from fast-food drive-thrus to sit-down spots, dragging my patient but skeptical family along for every bite.
Some places nail it with that just-right seasoning and homemade taste, while others surprise you with fish so good it could fool your grandma. Let’s dive into the top spots serving fried fish that’s truly worth the splurge—and maybe a little detour.
1. Long John Silver’s Signature Battered Fish
My first job was actually at Long John Silver’s, where I learned the secrets behind their iconic battered fish. The distinctive crunch comes from a proprietary batter that creates those crispy little bits they call “crumbs” – the treasured pieces customers would fight over!
Their Alaskan pollock fillets get dipped in this special mixture before taking a plunge in the fryer. What makes them stand out is the perfect ratio of crispiness to fish – substantial enough to deliver that satisfying crackle without overwhelming the delicate fish inside.
Pro tip: Always ask for “fresh fish” to ensure you’re getting the latest batch rather than something that’s been sitting under heat lamps.
2. Red Lobster’s Hand-Battered Fish and Chips
Sailing into Red Lobster for their fish and chips never disappoints! The cod they use is substantial and meaty, unlike the paper-thin fillets some places try to pass off as premium.
What really floats my boat is how they manage to keep the batter light and airy while maintaining that hearty crunch. Each piece comes out piping hot with steam escaping as you break through the golden exterior. The seasoning has just enough pepper and salt to complement the fish without masking its natural flavors.
Paired with their malt vinegar (an absolute must), it’s a combination that transports me straight to a seaside shack – minus the seagulls trying to steal my food!
3. Captain D’s Nashville Hot Fish
Holy mackerel! Captain D’s Nashville Hot Fish knocked my socks off the first time I tried it. The genius combination of their traditional crispy-battered white fish with that signature Nashville hot seasoning creates a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance a jig.
Unlike other places that just dump hot sauce on regular fish, Captain D’s infuses that distinctive cayenne-forward spice blend right into their coating. The heat builds gradually rather than punching you in the mouth, leaving room to actually taste the tender, flaky fish underneath.
Fair warning though – keep a cold drink nearby! I learned this lesson the hard way during my first encounter with this fiery sea captain’s creation.
4. Culver’s North Atlantic Cod
Whoever would’ve thought a burger joint could sling such spectacular fish? Culver’s North Atlantic Cod sandwich completely blindsided me during a road trip through Wisconsin. Unlike the uniform squares at other fast food places, these hand-cut fillets vary slightly in shape – a telltale sign of actual human preparation.
The batter contains a hint of beer (though they don’t advertise this) giving it a distinctive depth that elevates it beyond typical fast food fare. Each bite delivers a satisfying crackle before giving way to remarkably moist cod.
My father-in-law, a lifelong fisherman and notorious seafood snob, begrudgingly admitted it was “decent” – which in his vocabulary is practically a five-star review!
5. Popeyes Cajun Flounder Sandwich
Popeyes caused quite the splash when they introduced their Cajun Flounder Sandwich! After waiting in line for 20 minutes during the initial launch frenzy (totally worth it), I discovered they’d created something truly special with this seafood offering.
The flounder fillet wears a spicy, crunchy coating that packs genuine Cajun character – not just generic heat. What truly sets it apart is how they manage to keep the fish moist while achieving that crackling exterior. The barrel-cured pickles and their signature sauce create the perfect tangy counterpoint.
Funny story – my pescatarian sister actually thought I was playing a prank when I told her the chicken chain made an amazing fish sandwich. Her skepticism vanished after the first bite!
6. Bonefish Grill’s Tempura Crispy Cod
Bonefish Grill’s Tempura Crispy Cod elevates fried fish to an art form. The Japanese-inspired tempura approach creates an impossibly light, crisp coating that shatters delicately with each bite – a welcome departure from heavier beer batters.
My anniversary dinner nearly took a competitive turn when my husband kept reaching across the table for “just one more bite” of my entrée! The cod itself is premium quality, with large, thick pieces that remain incredibly moist inside that ethereal crust.
Their signature remoulade sauce deserves its own spotlight – studded with capers and herbs, it complements rather than drowns the delicate fish flavor. I’ve shamefully asked for extra sauce to take home (they graciously obliged).
7. Arthur Treacher’s Classic Fish
Nostalgia hits me like a tidal wave whenever I’m lucky enough to find an Arthur Treacher’s location still swimming against the current. Their iconic fish has remained virtually unchanged since my childhood visits with grandpa – thick-cut cod in a distinctive, super-crunchy batter that seems to have twice as many ridges and crannies as competitors.
The secret lies in their traditional English-style preparation, with fish dipped in batter, then breadcrumbs, creating that signature texture that no other chain has successfully duplicated. Each golden plank delivers a deeply satisfying crunch that echoes through your skull (in the best possible way).
Finding an Arthur Treacher’s these days feels like spotting a unicorn, but the treasure hunt is absolutely worthwhile!
8. Raising Cane’s Secret Menu Fish Fingers
Few folks realize that chicken-focused Raising Cane’s will prepare fish fingers if you know to ask! This off-menu treasure became my Friday lunch ritual after a coworker tipped me off about the secret. Using the same famous batter that makes their chicken fingers legendary, they apply it to strips of white fish (usually cod).
The resulting fish fingers maintain that distinctive Cane’s crunch while offering a seafood twist on their classic formula. Dunked in their signature sauce, these crispy morsels deliver a unique flavor combination you won’t find advertised on any menu board.
Just be prepared for a confused look from newer employees – politely insist it’s a thing, and the manager will usually hook you up with this hidden gem!
9. White Castle’s Panko Breaded Fish Sliders
White Castle’s tiny fish sliders pack a surprisingly mighty flavor punch! Their seasonal offering features Alaskan pollock in a panko coating that delivers a distinctly different texture from their burger counterparts – lighter and crispier than you’d expect from such a humble slider.
My late-night drive-thru confession: I’ve ordered these by the sackful during Lent. The slider format creates the perfect ratio of crispy exterior to tender fish in each bite-sized package. The cheese option might seem unconventional for seafood, but trust me – the savory American slice melts perfectly into the tartar sauce.
Pro tip from a slider aficionado: ask for extra pickles to add a zippy crunch that cuts through the richness.
10. Bojangles’ Cajun-Spiced Flounder
Bojangles’ seasonal Cajun-Spiced Flounder appears like a delicious mirage during Lent, then vanishes until the following year. My first encounter happened by accident when a location ran out of chicken (the horror!), leading to one of the tastiest detours of my fast-food journey.
Unlike other chains that merely dust fish with a hint of seasoning, Bojangles infuses genuine Cajun personality into every bite. The cornmeal-enhanced coating creates micro-textured crispiness with serious staying power – no soggy fish even after the drive home!
The seasoning builds a slow-burning warmth rather than overwhelming heat, allowing the delicate flounder flavor to share the spotlight. I’ve literally marked my calendar for its annual return.
11. Dairy Queen’s Wild Alaskan Fish Sandwich
Surprised doesn’t begin to describe my reaction when Dairy Queen’s fish sandwich turned out to be legitimately delicious! Hidden behind their ice cream fame lurks a seriously underrated seafood option that deserves more recognition.
The rectangular wild-caught Alaskan pollock fillet wears a panko-breadcrumb jacket that stays remarkably crisp despite being nestled in a soft bun with tartar sauce. Unlike some fast-food fish that tastes suspiciously un-fish-like, DQ’s offering has a clean, genuinely oceanic flavor that pairs surprisingly well with their signature soft serve.
Yes, you read that correctly – dipping a bite of the sandwich into vanilla soft serve creates a sweet-savory combination that sounds bizarre but tastes magnificent. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
12. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Fish & Chips
Freddy’s fish surprised me more than finding money in an old jacket pocket! This retro-style burger joint secretly harbors some of the most satisfying fish and chips in the fast-casual universe.
Their North Atlantic cod comes swaddled in a shatteringly crisp beer batter that audibly crunches with each bite. The contrast between the ultra-crispy exterior and steamy, flaky fish inside creates textural magic. Unlike competitors who pre-batter and freeze their fish, Freddy’s prepares each order from scratch – a difference you can absolutely taste.
My picky 8-year-old nephew, who normally considers fish to be “ocean monsters,” devoured an entire basket during our last visit. That’s the highest endorsement I can possibly offer!
13. Homemade-Tasting: Ivar’s Seafood Bar
Stepping into Ivar’s feels like visiting a seafood-obsessed relative rather than a restaurant chain. This Pacific Northwest institution has been perfecting their fish and chips since 1938, and that dedication shines through in every golden-brown morsel.
Their cod is dipped in a simple batter that somehow achieves the impossible – that distinctively homemade irregularity where some spots are extra crispy while others remain delicately light. The fish itself tastes remarkably fresh, with that sweet, clean flavor that disappears the moment seafood hits the freezer.
My Seattle-born friend insists we make a pilgrimage to Ivar’s whenever I visit. Watching the ferry boats glide by while enjoying their perfectly fried fish creates food memories that corporate chains simply can’t replicate.
14. Homemade-Tasting: Legal Sea Foods
Legal Sea Foods may have multiple locations, but their fish fry tastes like it came straight from grandma’s cast iron skillet. My first experience with their lightly breaded fish left me speechless – a rare occurrence according to my friends!
Unlike heavily battered chain offerings, Legal’s uses a delicate flour dredge reminiscent of how families along the Eastern Seaboard have prepared fresh-caught fish for generations. You can actually see and taste the fish itself, which is precisely the point. The coating enhances rather than conceals the premium seafood.
The slight irregularities in each piece – some edges more golden than others – create that unmistakable homemade character that mass production simply cannot replicate. Each location even adjusts seasoning based on local preferences!
15. Homemade-Tasting: Skipper’s Seafood
Skipper’s occupies that perfect middle ground between fast food and sit-down dining, but their fish tastes like it came from a family recipe book. Their hand-cut cod pieces vary slightly in shape – a refreshing departure from the suspiciously identical rectangles at other chains.
The batter contains a hint of something I couldn’t identify until a chatty manager revealed their secret: a splash of 7UP creates tiny air bubbles that expand during frying! This old-school technique results in an airy, crisp exterior that many grandmothers would proudly claim as their own method.
During my last visit, I watched the staff actually dipping fresh fish in batter rather than dumping pre-breaded products into the fryer – a rare sight in chain restaurants today.
16. Homemade-Tasting: Burgerville’s Seasonal Wild Alaskan Halibut
Burgerville’s seasonal halibut sandwich sends me into a fish-finding frenzy every spring! This Pacific Northwest chain treats wild-caught Alaskan halibut with the reverence it deserves, handling it more like a beloved family recipe than fast food.
The light panko coating lets the sweet, delicate flavor of the halibut take center stage – exactly how my seafood-loving grandmother would prepare it. Each fillet shows the natural contours of hand-cut fish rather than the processed uniformity typical of chains.
Last season, I embarrassed my teenage daughter by asking the kitchen staff about their preparation method. They happily shared that they receive fresh halibut daily during the season and bread each piece by hand – explaining that homemade quality that keeps me watching their social media for the annual announcement!