The 5 Worst Fast Food Seafood Items Of 2026 (So Far)

Seafood has always been an under-the-sea underdog in the world of fast food, as many customers would rather go for a reliable beef burger or chicken nuggets over drive-thru fish or shrimp. While some popular chains actually sell outstanding fish sandwiches (and other seafood favorites), customers consider other offerings to be, well, a bit fishy in terms of quality. To show you what to keep out of your takeout bag, we've rounded up the five worst fast food seafood items of 2026.

To compile this list, we took a look at customer feedback, taste tests, and reviews from the past year to find out which fast food fish fails ought to be avoided. The idea of subpar, less-than-fresh seafood could turn anyone's stomach, and some of our picks have been criticized for the exact issues that you would expect. According to folks online, this means "off" smells and flavors, strange textures, and a general sense that the items may have sat around for too long.

Other items on this list used to be well-regarded (and may still have fans), but customers have noticed a dive in quality over the past year. Since they've been around for a while, these dishes don't land among the worst new fast food items of 2026, but have been said to still have their own concerning problems. Whether it's about flavor, freshness, or dismal portion sizes, these suspicious seafood finds have enough complaints behind them to make you rethink your order.

Burger King's classic Big Fish includes an Alaskan pollock patty with panko breading, tartar sauce, lettuce, and pickles on a potato bun. This simple combination has had fans rejoicing for years. But as of 2026, online reviewers claim that the Big Fish's flavor isn't what it used to be. More than one BK customer has complained that the sandwich tastes like old fryer oil, while others found it even more offensive.

On TikTok, one reviewer physically recoiled upon trying the sandwich, noting an unpleasant "fishy" taste and overly sour tartar sauce. Users in the comments section agreed, with one calling the sandwich "trash" due to its fishy flavor and mushy texture. Another customer on Instagram gave the Big Fish a 3/10 rating, adding, "Would not recommend. Gave mine away, in fact."

Other customers have been a little more forgiving to the Big Fish, but not by much. Some have noted that the sandwich has a nice bun and toppings, but the fish itself is chewy and subpar. Others have found the Big Fish to be bland and merely edible at best. If going solely by customer reviews, perhaps BK fans should stick to beef for the time being.

In the eyes of many fans, Long John Silver's doesn't deserve all the hate it gets. Despite being deemed "America's most hated fast food restaurant" by some on social media, its crispy fried fish and chicken are top tier for many customers. However, the shrimp is a different story. According to folks online, Long John Silver's hand-battered fried shrimp may not be worth ordering, with some complaining about the flavor, texture, and grease factor.

These battered shrimp have landed near the bottom of not just one, but two Tasting Table rankings this year. When we tried and ranked Long John Silver's meals, our taste tester found the eight-piece shrimp dish to be heavy on the overly oily batter, and undercooked on the inside, lending them an off-putting slimy sensation. Additionally, our ranking of chain restaurant shrimp baskets put LJS in second-to-last place. On this occasion, our tester noted that the shrimp, though cooked through, was still a bit too salty and greasy, hitting the stomach like leaden weights.

Others have shared their negative reactions to Long John Silver's shrimp online. "The shrimp has a little bit of an odd taste," stated one reviewer on Facebook. "I'm not gonna go for another one." Another Facebook reviewer declared: "Too salty and the shrimp has a rubbery texture." Other customers have labeled the crustaceans as bland and tough to chew. While Long John Silver's is arguably over-hated, fans remain highly critical of its hand-battered shrimp.

Captain D's signature batter-dipped fish has been considered a well-liked rendition of fast food style-fried white fish. However, this year, customers have voiced concerns that the filets have an unpleasant flavor; off-putting, tough texture; and smaller size. In March, Captain D's admitted to changing its battered fish, but didn't specify what type it switched to. Angry customers alleged that the chain used swai, a fish with a controversial reputation as a cheap, subpar-tasting species that is farmed in unhygienic conditions.

We may never know why Captain D's changed its fish, but we can say with certainty that it's a risky order today. Unsatisfied customers compare the taste and texture to low-quality chicken. "It comes off as chicken nuggets. Not flaky at all," wrote one TikTok commenter. "Their fish is now the thickness of a marker," noted another customer on Reddit. "It's literally like chewing on a sponge."

Captain D's patrons have posted furious rants online about feeling duped by these skimpy fish fingers. However, a redemption may be in the chain's future. In June, Captain D's announced that its Batter Dipped Fish will use Alaskan pollock going forward. Customers have discussed the move online but haven't posted about whether the fish has improved.

White Castle's classic beef sliders made it famous, but its attempt at a seafood variation is a major flop in the eyes of many. In our ranking of fast food fish sandwiches, White Castle's Panko Breaded Fish Slider sank to the bottom due to the mushy texture and greasy, limp exterior of the fish patty. It also boasted an unappetizing gray hue on the inside.

Additionally, one TikTok reviewer called White Castle's fish slider "really dry" and "not crispy either," adding that it "has the texture of the sponge." Other customers encountered an overly oily finish that knocks the experience down a peg. "I don't want to take another bite," one Instagram reviewer exclaimed after sampling the sandwich. This tester also noted a fishy aftertaste before ultimately rating the slider a 1/10.

Not all taste testers have found the Panko Breaded Fish Slider to be subpar. However, those in this camp have still historically considered it inferior to most other fast food fish sandwiches. Still, other White Castle fans recommend the slider, saying it's a great rendition of the classic fish sandwich — it seems like everyone's mileage may vary, so order at your own risk.

Though Wienerschnitzel is a hot dog chain first and foremost, it offers two fish-based items around Lent every year. The first is the quirky Sea Dog, which stuffs a fish filet, tartar sauce, and cheese in a hot dog bun. The second is a straightforward dish of Fish 'n Chips with tartar sauce. While the Sea Dog is actually well-liked among customers, the Fish 'n Chips surprisingly fall short.

According to one reviewer on YouTube, Wienerschnitzel's fish tastes like it came from the frozen aisle of the grocery store. The creator also noted a "very strong fish smell and taste" that may not bother some but could certainly put many diners off. Other customers encountered the opposite problem. A pair of reviewers on YouTube claimed that the fish has "no flavor" beyond the tartar sauce, stating that the meal actually smells better than it tastes. Instead of being nice and crunchy, the fish's battered coating is said to be disappointing overall.

When visiting a hot dog joint, we don't expect top-notch fish and chips that you'd get from a proper English pub. That said, many customers don't believe that Wienerschnitzel's Fish 'n Chips have much to offer at all. The Sea Dog may be more unconventional, but it appears to be the superior choice if you're that curious about the chain's seafood.