Why are fast food fish sandwiches so awful? (Denny's, ingredients, restaurant)

[GrubGripe]

I am not a huge fan of fish in the first place, but it seems like every fast food fish sandwich is really awful! Ironically enough... the one place I'd expect to see a decent fish sandwich, Long John Silver's, doesn't even have one... at least not where I live anyway!

If you're not into meat, at this point it seems like veggie burgers are preferable to fish. Is it just me? Does anyone actually like the Filet-O-Fish or similar sandwiches? I figure someone must be ordering them since practically every place has one on the menu.

[Hemlock140]

It's that chopped, pressed fish. Go to Costco and buy a bag of "Ultimate Fishsticks" by Trident Seafoods and make your own sandwich. They are actually cut from filets with a light crust that seems like breadcrumbs, though I haven't read the bag to see. I haven't yet decided who makes the best tarter sauce but use cheddar, not American cheese and decent rolls.

[Hunter Wold]

Actually, I like MCD's fishwich (whatever). It has gone up in price but still one of my favorites. I know what they use and it's ok.
Other places just don't try..

[greatblueheron]

I like it too...

(plus it gives you the recommended weekly dose of fat all at one time)

Originally Posted by Hunter Wold

Actually, I like MCD's fishwich (whatever). It has gone up in price but still one of my favorites. I know what they use and it's ok.
Other places just don't try..

[elnina]

Originally Posted by Hunter Wold

Actually, I like MCD's fishwich (whatever). It has gone up in price but still one of my favorites. I know what they use and it's ok.
Other places just don't try..

Actually McD fish sandwich seems to be the healthier choice nutrition wise.
I have to check on" what's in the fish"...

Read here about the nutrition:
Nutrition Facts and Analysis for McDonald's sandwich: Filet-O-Fish®

Good news: your fish filet contain fish!
The Filet-O-Fish (McD) is made from battered fish patty made mostly from Alaskan pollock and/or hoki (both of which, though not exactly seafood superstars, do qualify as actual fish), half a slice of processed cheese and 30g (1 oz.) of tartar sauce (made with dill relish and seasoning) on a steamed bun.
In fact: Most deep-fried fish sandwiches from chain restaurants-including Denny's, Long John Silver's, and most certainly McDonald's - use hoki, a pretty ugly, bug-eyed fish found deep in the waters around New Zealand.

But... maybe the real question ought to be: what else does the Filet-O-Fish contain besides the fish?
The caloric ratio of the sandwich is 46% fat, 39% carbs, and just 15% protein. Take another look at ingredients and you'll notice, in addition to the "foaming agent" dimethylpolysiloxane, modified corn starch, dextrose, cellulose gum, citric acid and several partially hydrogenated oils, which produce trans fat.

Other fast food places:

Wendy’s describes their sandwich as “hand-cut fillets of North Pacific cod in a crisp Panko crumb breading" but the source is a mystery.

Burger King’s nutrition facts cite “wild-caught Alaskan Pollock.” Alaska pollock is an MSC-certified fishery. Not bad!

KFC Fish Snacker: Alaskan Pollock fish fillet breaded and fried to golden perfection, then topped with tangy tartar sauce and served on a warm sesame seed bun.”

Subway’s Tuna Sandwich: their ingredients list cites only “dolphin-safe tuna,” but further digging reveals Subway uses canned chunk-light tuna, which is mostly comprised of Albacore, Bigeye, Skipjack, and Yellowfin.

[Nomadicus]

Originally Posted by Hunter Wold

Actually, I like MCD's fishwich (whatever). It has gone up in price but still one of my favorites. I know what they use and it's ok.
Other places just don't try..

Amen. Still the best in the fast food business bar none.

[Wilson513]

I am a huge HUGE fan of batter fried cod. I prefer just eating the fish, but recently have been sampling all of the sandwiches. Conclusion: you can't get a good fried cod sandwich other than in an expensive restaurant and even there some are as horrible as the worst fast food places.

Our local ribs place, Montgomery Inn is a well known place for ribs (which I cannot stand due to the fact that they are steamed or pressure cooked or whatnot), but has the best fried cod sandwich. The best fried cod is a take out in the hood named Alabama Fish. By far the best but no sandwich.

I say, give up on fast food fish. It will never be any good. Long John Silver is the best and it is still horrible.

[Dennis P]

Originally Posted by Hunter Wold

Actually, I like MCD's fishwich (whatever). It has gone up in price but still one of my favorites. I know what they use and it's ok.
Other places just don't try..

Even though I haven't had one in a long time, I do like McDonald's Filet-O-Fish fish sandwich.

Around these parts, Jack in the Box comes out with their own version of a fish sandwich similar to what McDonald's serves, only it's bigger and in my opinion, more flavorful. The problem is, Jack in the Box's fish sandwiches are only available during Lent, to accommodate the large Catholic population here in the L.A. area. So in that sense, it's kind of like the McRib sandwich.

[springfieldva]

Originally Posted by Hunter Wold

Actually, I like MCD's fishwich (whatever). It has gone up in price but still one of my favorites. I know what they use and it's ok.
Other places just don't try..

I'll admit it. I like 'em too...

[goodtimes59]

I have admit to loving the Filet o Fish from McDonalds also. And just to indulge I get extra tarter sauce. Lets just say it can get messy.