Fish sandwiches, seafood return to menus in time for Lent. Where can you get them?
Lent has begun, and multiple fast-food restaurants are marking the religious observance with the return of popular fish and seafood offerings.
The Christian practice begins on Ash Wednesday and involves “40 days of fasting and penance” leading up to Easter Sunday, according to History.com.
Many reach for seafood during Lent, as religious edict forbade eating meat from “warm-blooded” animals, Michael Foley, a Baylor University professor, told NPR in 2012.
Fish was typically eaten on Fridays to commemorate the crucifixion, the outlet reported.
Here’s where to find fish sandwiches and other seafood:
Arby’s
Ahead of Lent, Arby’s brought back its Surf & Turf lineup featuring the crispy fish sandwich.
For $6.99, customers can mix and match the handheld — made with wild-caught Alaskan Pollock, tartar sauce and lettuce on a sesame seed bun — with another sandwich in the lineup.
They include:
- Classic beef n’ cheddar sandwich
- Fish n’ cheddar sandwich
All three sandwiches are available for a limited time, Arby’s said.
Bojangles
Bojangles fans can find the Bojangler fish sandwich at participating restaurants, according to Bojangles’ website.
Made with Alaskan pollock, the filet is seasoned with “Bo’s famous seasoning” and topped with cheese slice and tartar sauce, a product description reads,
The restaurant didn’t say when the Bojangler will be available nationwide.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish is available year round and right on time for Lenten season.
The classic sandwich includes a “fish filet patty made with wild-caught Alaskan Pollock on melty American cheese,” according to McDonald’s website.
It’s then topped with tartar sauce and served on a steamed bun.
Popeyes
Best known for its fried chicken and biscuits, Popeyes is bringing back two seafood options for Lent.
The flounder fish sandwich and shrimp tackle box are returning to menus for a limited time, the Louisiana kitchen said March 5.
Customers can find both offerings at Popeyes restaurants nationwide.
Like its classic chicken, the flounder fish sandwich is “marinated in authentic Louisiana herbs & spices,” coated and fried, the restaurant said. It’s then topped with barrel-cured pickles and customers’ choice of tartar sauce or spicy spread, all served on a brioche bun.
The shrimp tacklebox includes eight breaded butterfly shrimp, a regular side and a biscuit, Popeyes said.
Popeye’s Lent lineup also features dessert: a strawberry cream cheese fried pie.
All three are available for a limited time, though Popeyes didn’t say for how long.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Freddy’s deluxe crispy fish sandwich returned to menus Feb. 26 at participating restaurants nationwide, according to the Kansas-based burger chain.
The limited-time offering is made with a battered Alaskan flounder filet topped with pickles, lettuce, American cheese and tartar sauce on a toasted bun, a product description reads.
Pricing information wasn’t immediately available.
Customers have until April 22 before the deluxe crispy fish sandwich is gone again.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s fans can still get their hands on the crispy panko fish sandwich.
The fan favorite arrived on menus in late February and will stick around through April 20, according to Wendy’s website.
The beloved sandwich features a panko-breaded Alaska Pollock filet topped with lettuce, cheese, pickles and dill tartar sauce on a bun.
Customizations are also available, the fast-food chain said.
Zaxbys
.jpg "Zaxbys_Southern_Fried_Shrimp (1).jpg")
Zaxbys southern fried shrimp made a comeback March 3, but it won’t stick around, according to the Georgia-based chicken chain.
Like its famous chicken “fingerz,” the offering is seasoned with a blend of pepper, garlic and onion powders, dipped in buttermilk and fried, the restaurant said.
This year, customers have a few new ways to enjoy the fan-favorite entree, which debuted in 2024. The lineup includes:
- Southern fried shrimp meal
- ZaxSeas surf & turf meal
- Buffalo shrimp
- Asian Zensation Zalad with southern fried shrimp
This story was originally published March 5, 2025 at 5:45 PM with the headline "Fish sandwiches, seafood return to menus in time for Lent. Where can you get them?."