The Classic Southern Comfort Food Chain With Fish And Chips That Outshine Culver's

Fish and chips might be a U.K. creation, but it's a big part of American dining culture, too, and for good reason. The classic British dish brings together crispy battered fish and salty french fries, and in the U.S., it's often served with a side of crunchy coleslaw, tangy tartar sauce, and a lemon wedge for acidity. It's simple, hearty, and delicious. Fish and chips is widely available at American chain restaurants, and back in April, one of our writers visited eight of them to find the best. Red Lobster came in first place, but another chain surprised us by beating out Culver's, a fan-favorite choice for fast-casual seafood. Although it's best known for its traditional Southern comfort food, Cracker Barrel and its Friday Fish Fry meal turned out to be the superior choice.

While Culver's North Atlantic Cod Dinner offers fresh cod with two sides and a roll, its soggy breading and bland, underwhelming tartar sauce ultimately held it back. Cracker Barrel's Friday Fish Fry — which is loaded with four hand-battered fillets, two or three classic sides, and a choice of buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins — was the better choice, thanks to its superior side pairings and a far tastier tartar sauce. Overall, it proved to be the meal with the better flavor and value.

Ultimately, Cracker Barrel's win comes down to the whole basket experience. Although our writer wasn't a big fan of the cod itself, the side dishes seemed to pull most of the weight. The hush puppies, for instance, gave the basket a bit of Southern flair, bringing a savory sweetness to the meal. The steak fries were excellent, too, bringing a mild saltiness to balance the plate. The tartar sauce also delivered, providing the much-needed acidity and zing Culver's version lacked.  

If you decide to order a Friday Fish Fry at Cracker Barrel, don't hesitate to branch out a bit when it comes to sides. Although our writer stuck to the classics, swapping in other Cracker Barrel favorites like the Hashbrown Casserole or the sweet Country Fried Apples can take your basket to the next level. And, to cut through the heaviness of the fried fish and complimentary biscuits or muffins, don't forget to order a glass of the restaurant's freshly brewed Sweet Tea to quench your inevitable thirst.

Neither Culver's nor Cracker Barrel are our absolute preferred chain restaurants for fish and chips. In fact, our writer chose Red Lobster, Bob Evans, and Red Robin's iterations over these two any day. However, if you happen to be deciding between these two chains, Cracker Barrel is the way to go — so long as you visit on a Friday.