I Asked Chefs for the Best Fast Food Fish Sandwich, and McDonald's Didn’t Get a Single Shout-Out

For years, McDonald's Filet-O-Fish has been available year-round, not just during Lent, like many competitors’ fish sandwiches. Due to its wide availability, simplicity, and flavor, it has reigned supreme in the world of fast food fish sandwiches. In fact, the Filet-O-Fish is so beloved that fans protested on social media when shrinkflation seemingly affected the portion size, resulting in a little less to love.

Despite the cult following for McDonald’s seafood offering, which comes adorned with American cheese and tartar sauce, it ranked tenth out of 11 fast food fish sandwiches included in our recent taste test. After trying the “pretty bland fish sandwich drenched in a watered-down mayo sauce,” our editor noted that “there are plenty of other fish sandwiches in the sea.”

So, as we approach fish fry season, we were curious: Which catch is best according to the pros? We turned to some chefs to find out.

Our Panel of Fast Food Fish Sandwich-Rating Chefs

• Dominic Iannarelli, chef-owner of Prime & Providence in West Des Moines, Iowa

• Meggan Hill, Valencia, Calif.-based executive chef and CEO of Culinary Hill

• MacKenzie Schultz, a sous chef at Harbinger in Des Moines, Iowa

Qualities of the Best Fast Food Fish Sandwich

Chefs agree that a few features help a fish sandwich shine—and swim right past the competition. If you’re fishing for the best seafood sandwich, seek out a menu item that includes:

• A real fillet of fish. Similar to chicken nuggets and crispy chicken sandwiches, fish sandwiches come in two forms: a whole fillet or a ground, processed product. All three chefs agree that a fillet is preferred. Iannarelli admits it's “the most important part of any fried fish, whether it’s for a sandwich or fish and chips." In the recipe for Unbelievable Fish Batter on Allrecipes, it declares the best fish for frying is white, mild, lean, and sturdy, like cod, haddock, pollock, or flounder. That said, there are processed fish sandwiches that can hold their own, so this is not a mandatory requirement (more on that later).

• A crispy coating. For the best fish sandwich, a crispy exterior seems to be key for contrast. Schultz believes that “most fast food fish sandwiches are soggy and don’t offer that shatteringly crisp crunch you want for the outside of your fish fillet." She goes on to say that if the coating is soggy, "the fish becomes the same texture of the bun and it ends up tasting monotonous.”

• Contrasting textures between the fillet and the bun. As mentioned, the chefs believe textural variety makes for a pleasant dining experience. So, along with that crunchy batter, “the sandwich should be built on a soft bun so the crispiness of the fish can shine through,” Iannarelli says.

• A crunchy vegetable or two. For a different style of crisp, all three of our chefs say pickles are definitely invited to the fish sandwich party. (In fact, Iannarelli often asks for extra.) Schultz notes the brininess is also important: “The acidity plays such a key role [in] breaking through all the rich components of the sandwich and making a balanced bite every time.” They all agree that fresh lettuce is also a pleasant addition, as long as it’s not limp and past its prime.

• A sauce to pull things together. Tartar sauce is the top choice among the the chefs, but mayo is an acceptable runner-up. Iannarelli adds that “hot sauce and malt vinegar are always welcome” as options to add some spice or tang, depending on the mood.

The Best Fast Food Fish Sandwich, According to Chefs

Sorry, Filet-O-Fish: You didn’t make the cut in this ranking, either. Instead, Culver's North Atlantic Cod Sandwich comes out on top. It’s “the best, hands down,” if you ask Schultz, who is joined by Hill in the Culver’s fish sandwich fan club.

Both of these chefs admit that they may be a bit biased, since they both have roots in Wisconsin, where Culver's is based. "This sandwich is such an underrated fast food item,” Schultz says, noting that the fast food joint is among the few using North Atlantic cod. The sturdy fish holds its texture when fried, Schultz adds: "It's not a mysterious, perfect square shape like the other places.”

“The crispiness of their batter is similar to a beer batter, and I feel like it elevates this sandwich to make it seem like you're eating a non-fast food sandwich,” Schultz raves. The expertly fried filet joins crisp lettuce, a sprinkle of Cheddar cheese, and Culver's family recipe for tartar sauce.

Hill agrees, "the quality of their fish really stands out." However, she does have a couple complaints about Culver’s fish sandwich. "Their bun is too dense for the delicate fish fillet,” she notes, adding that, while they're free, you have to ask for pickles if you like them. (Because of this, Hill had two brands tie for first place.)

Tying in runner-up position, with one vote each…

• Popeyes Classic Flounder Fish Sandwich: This seasonal menu item is Hill’s other pick: “The fried fish patty is perfectly spiced rather than just deep-fried, and it has exceptionally crunchy breading, just like their famous chicken.” She’s also fond of Popeyes' Spicy version, which features mayo with a kick. But even the Classic—with tartar sauce, lettuce, and pickles—has excellent flavor, says Hill. “If Popeyes opted for a breaded fish fillet like Culver's, they would be unstoppable,” Hill notes.

• Long John Silver’s Fish Sandwich: Iannarelli sings the praises of this fast food seafood franchise's sandwich: "The batter is what moves this to the top of my list.” It showcases a fried, flaky fillet of Alaska pollock, which is paired with tartar sauce, pickles, and a soft bun. Worth noting: You’ll have to ask for lettuce if you’d like it.

How to Make a Fast Food Fish Sandwich Meal at Home

As you can see, even though each of these fish sandwiches will satisfy, the chefs still do a bit of tinkering to make it their perfect bite—and we think you'd do the same. So when you have a craving—and the time and energy—why not try creating your ideal version at home?

Start with Chef John’s Homemade Hamburger Buns, stir together a batch of this fan-favorite Tartar Sauce, make some refrigerator pickles, and finally, follow the lead of our Crispy Fried Fish recipe. (Or, perhaps, this Copycat McDonald's Filet-o-Fish Sandwich.) If you have even more time, round out the meal with Sweet Restaurant Slaw, plus a side of hush puppies or french fries, for what might be the best fish basket, ever.

Read the original article on ALLRECIPES