McDonald's Filet-O-Fish Vs Long John Silver's Fish Sandwich: What's The Actual Difference?

There are plenty of fish in the sea, the old adage tells us — and there are plenty of fast food fish sandwiches for the hungry-but-indecisive patrons to choose from. Even when narrowed down to two of the best-known options on the market, making your choice depends on understanding what makes each of them distinct. So what is the actual difference between the famous Filet-O-Fish from McDonald's and the fish sandwich offered by stalwart seafood chain Long John Silver?

There are some commonalities — both sandwiches utilize fried, wild-caught Alaskan pollock (though Long John Silver's menu does feature other types of fish), served on a bun with tartar sauce. But one of the key things that sets the two apart is the toppings. The Filet-O-Fish comes garnished with melted American cheese while Long John Silver's fish sandwich includes several slices of pickle. 

Further variance can be found in the fish's shape and preparation. Open one up and you will note that the McDonald's Filet-O-Fish patty is square, while the pollock in a Long John Silver's sandwich is less uniform in appearance and will typically extend beyond the borders of the bun. Although both have the enticing crispiness one would expect from fried food, the Filet-O-Fish patty is breaded, while Long John Silver's fish is battered. This results in a significant textural contrast that will be apparent from the first bite. Finally, though it may not be discernable on the palate, the Filet-O-Fish contains 380 calories, while the Long John Silver's fish sandwich clocks in at 446 calories.

Though both fish sandwiches come with tartar sauce, those familiar with our ranking of 10 store-bought tartar sauces will know this topping can have tremendous inconsistency in quality and taste. Some customers are quite dissatisfied with the tartar sauce on the Filet-O-Fish, comparing it to diluted mayonnaise. The sauce found at Long John Silver's is generally considered to have a more assertive, tangier taste, and is popular enough that the seafood chain released a bottled version of the sauce for a limited time earlier this year.

Obviously, the most important distinction between these sandwiches — which one is actually superior to the other — is a matter of personal taste. Both have their fans and detractors, with one common dividing line being the presence of American cheese on the Filet-O-Fish. It would be quite wrong to say cheese and seafood never work together (find out the absolute best cheese to add to your tuna melt for proof). But its inclusion on a fried fish sandwich remains a contentious topic for some.

Despite selling approximately 300 million of the sandwiches per year, per Fish Information & Services, McDonald's iconic seafood standby nevertheless failed to impress in Tasting Table's worst-to-best ranking of 10 fast food fish sandwiches. Our critic described the patty as "a glorified freezer fish stick" and consigning the sandwich to the number nine spot. Long John Silver's fared considerably better, with its fish sandwich winning plaudits for a batter that has "a more delicate texture yet richer flavor."