This Fast-Food Fish Sandwich Rivals McDonald's Filet-O-Fish, According To Customers

Fish sandwiches aren't just relegated to seafood-centric restaurants. Fast food chains have jumped on the bandwagon, and many of them offer fish sandwiches that have become as popular as original specialties like burgers and chicken sandwiches. McDonald's famous Filet-O-Fish is perhaps the pioneer for fast food fish sandwiches, but Popeyes' Flounder Fish Sandwich is a close rival, according to customers who sang its praises across multiple social media platforms. While both sandwiches have similar ingredients, customers argue that in terms of taste, texture, and value, there's no comparison.

McDonald's fish sandwich features breaded Alaskan pollock, a half-slice of American cheese, and tartar sauce served on a steamed bun, while Popeyes' version boasts a crispy flounder filet, topped with pickles, and creamy, tangy tartar sauce to complement its buttery brioche bun. Some customers on TikTok have complained that the Filet-O-Fish is "so small" compared to the much more substantial flounder sandwich from Popeyes, making it better value. But taste is obviously the most important factor for fish sandwich fans. 

In a Reddit post comparing the two sandwiches, one user shared, "The Filet-O-Fish was very bland. The fish itself didn't have hardly any flavor ... the sauce was actively kinda bad. It had an artificial taste." In contrast, the Redditor called Popeyes' Flounder Fish Sandwich "killer" and continued that "the fish tasted like fish, the breading was fantastic with just the right amount of seasonings and spice" and "the brioche bun was soft yet rich." A TikToker was also blown away by the crunch of the flounder patty's breading, and praised the Cajun-spiced option.

While some loyal McDonald's customers still go for a Filet-O-Fish because of its familiarity and nostalgia, one fan admits on Instagram that it isn't as good as Popeyes' Flounder Fish Sandwich. In fact, McDonald's Filet-O-Fish was very poorly ranked in our tasting of 10 fast food chain fish sandwiches. Considering how important a crispy, well-spiced breading is to fried chicken, it's no surprise that the fried chicken chain knows how to make a good fried fish sandwich. Popeyes and competitors like Texas-based Church's have some of the best fish sandwiches. Even Chick-fil-A offered a now discontinued fish sandwich that fans still miss.

Popeyes has an entire seafood menu worth checking out. Of course, the Classic Flounder Fish Sandwich ranks number one on our list, but the Surf & Turf platter is a close second, allowing customers to get the best of both worlds by mixing and matching fried chicken and seafood items, not to mention an extra side and a biscuit. If you're looking for the best Popeyes sides, the biscuit is one of our favorites and second only to Popeyes' Cajun Fries, which would certainly be our pick for a Flounder Fish Sandwich. You could also get a side of coleslaw to add to the sandwich for some texture and heft.