These 9 Chains Have The Best Fried Fish, Hands Down

If you ask most English people about fish and chips, they'll proudly claim they invented it — but they would be wrong. The practice of frying fish coated in flour first appeared in the 13th century, became popular in Portugal in the 1400s, and eventually made its way to the United Kingdom. (France and Belgium, meanwhile, both claim to have invented frying potatoes.) But something so good could hardly stop there — fried fish is one of those foods that was always destined to become popular just about everywhere.

Across the Atlantic, many big-name restaurant chains in the United States are centered around it or have added it to their menus — including some that aren't primarily known for serving fish. Though fish and chips might be more popular per capita in the U.K., there's more than enough to go around in the States, along with countless other iterations of the crispy delicacy.

It's true that fish plays second fiddle to beef, chicken and pork for many Americans, but fried fish can be a foodie dream if they stick to the rules. The batter should be golden brown and crisp: Soggy batter is sadness on a plate. The fish should be juicy and flaky, with a mild flavor, and while tartar sauce is fine, a dash of malt vinegar is a must. With all that in mind, here are 9 chains that have the best fried fish, hands down.

You can find unpopular opinions and controversial takes all over the internet, but when it comes to the fried fish at Captain D's, everyone agrees it is off the hook. With more than 530 outlets across 23 states and international expansion plans on the menu, millions of people in the United States chow down on Captain D's batter-dipped white fish fillet and savor every mouthful.

So what makes this chain's fried fish so special? Well, the batter is a gorgeous shade of golden and anyone within a few feet can hear the crunch when it's bitten into, so that's two important boxes ticked. Captain D's doesn't sleep on the little bits of batter that fall off during the frying process, tossing in a few in with each order.

The fish under Captain D's batter is pollock, which is renowned for its creamy, mild flavor and generous flakes. The filets are easy to handle and taste spectacular when sprinkled with a little malt vinegar. Whether you're a born-and-bred American or a dyed-in-the-wool Brit, if you're looking for quality fried fish, Captain D's is pretty perfect.

"Keep clam" is this restaurant's motto, as millions of diners across Washington know all too well. Opened in 1938, Ivar's is a much-loved institution, serving up a variety of seafood that includes its "world famous" Alaska True Cod. Back in the chain's early days, founder Ivar Haglund would go to incredible lengths to get people into his restaurant, including wrestling an octopus and staging a clam-eating competition.

No such gimmicks are needed today. Friday night fish and chips at Ivar's is a regular event for many diners, some of whom have been making that trip since childhood. Social media is full of posts reminiscing about evenings at Ivar's, gazing out at the view, and fending off greedy seagulls while wolfing down a plate of piping hot, crispy fish and fries.

The breaded cod is delicious — particularly the Cajun style, slathered in tartar sauce — and the chips regularly get a 10 out of 10 in reviews. Ivar's also gets that not everyone wants a fillet of fried fish, so even the clam strips, which are battered and fried too, are a hit. Despite the chain's long-term success, there's been no dip in quality when it comes to the fried fish (and the rest of the menu), so regulars can't help but spread the word online.

Fast food fans in Oregon and Washington will be familiar with Burgerville, thanks to its 39 outlets across the two. If ever you're in that neck of the woods and a craving for fried fish grabs you, it's worth seeking out the nearest Burgerville. The menu lives up to the chain's name (there are a lot of burgers, including a plant-based one) but it's also where you can sink your teeth into a juicy filet of golden, fried fish.

Regulars know Burgerville is very hot on sustainability, and proudly states that more than three-quarters of its menu is sourced within a 400-mile radius. That focus also extends to its fish, which underwent a — ahem — sea-change in 2025. The company acknowledged that, after 40 years of being a menu staple, the halibut used in its fish and chips and crispy sandwich was in crisis, with populations at a 20-year low.

So, after a taste test, Burgerville grabbed the chance to shift to a "seasonal, wild-caught approach" and switch to Alaskan Pacific cod. While the company plans to bring back halibut when it's less under threat, the new fish has already gone down a treat with diners. You might have to dig through Burgerville's menu to find the two fish offerings but it's well worth the effort. The cod is perfectly battered, crisp, and delicious, while the mild yet flavorful fish is a winner.

"How can you not like this?" said an online reviewer, as they gorged on a piece of battered fish from Long John Silver's. Anyone who has ever done the same will ask the same question, even though they already know the answer: LJS rings our bell. From its Kentucky roots, the chain has expanded to 35 states, as well as internationally, bringing its signature dishes to millions of satisfied customers.

While many chains only offer one type of battered or breaded fish, LJS is unusual in having three. Both its salmon and pollock come from Alaska, while its cod is fished in the North Pacific, and all three are wild caught. Don't be fooled by how the battered fish looks. That distinctive diamond shape isn't the result of a processing system, it's a delicious, thick filet wrapped in a light but crispy batter.

It works beautifully in a sandwich (though when it comes to toppings, adding pickles really doesn't replace the zing from a splash of malt vinegar), while the traditional fish and chip platter is always a hit, even if not everyone's a fan of the waffle fries. If it's been a minute since you last visited your nearest LJS, go revisit your youth with a big bite of hot, crispy fried fish.

For many Brits, this writer included, a fish-and-chip dinner is a sensory experience. The smell of the "chippy" as you place your order, the heat when you take the paper-wrapped meal (which is always heavier than expected), the smell when it's freshly opened, and the taste as you devour each mouthful. It's hard for a sit-down restaurant to replicate that, but Culver's, with its strong tradition of hospitality, comes pretty close.

Although this much-loved seasonal special is sourced in northwestern Canada, the fish for their cod sandwich and dinner platter are from the "pristine, cold, and clean" waters of the Barents Sea. The companies catching them use sustainable practices, so the cod populations aren't under threat, which means we can enjoy Culver's delicious fish dishes guilt-free. Each piece is hand-dipped in a seasoned batter, before being fried to golden, grease-free perfection.

Fans on social media have called Culver's fried cod "criminally underrated" and a gem that is hiding in plain sight. We couldn't agree more. The fish sandwich is a mouthwatering blend of soft and crunchy, and while the tartar sauce is a smidge sweet for some, it's a delicious accompaniment if you can't get your hands on some malt vinegar. Put a pin in Culver's ButterBurgers: The fried fish is where it's at.

There are so many elements that go into an excellent plate of fried fish but one of the most important is the batter. That's why beer-battered fish is so popular — the carbon dioxide in beer is released when combined with the other ingredients, resulting in a light, airy coating for the fish.

Claim Jumper, which operates restaurants in California, Nevada, and Oregon, stays true to that practice with its Sam Adams fish and chips. The chain's choice of beer for its batter is an important one (and unlike another Sam Adams offering, it ain't banned in 15 states). It needs to be flavorful enough to elevate the batter, but not so strong that it overwhelms the fish. Sam Adams — also known as Boston-based brewer Samuel Adams – is ideal.

The result is some excellent fried fish. People who have ordered it, whether they're hoping to plug back into their childhoods or just fancy a change from meat protein, have been delighted with the crispy, golden exterior, while the fresh fish put a smile on everyone's faces. At a shade under $25, it's a little pricier than what you might pick up at Aldi, but we're certain this will be love at first crispy, fishy bite.

Cod, haddock, and skate feature in the majority of British fish and chip outlets, and they've found a home in the United States too. But it's a slightly different story in the South, where another species rules the roost: Catfish. Once a staple of the Native American diet, it became a pillar of African American soul food, before finding its way into the hearts of foodies across the country, including those who dine at Logan's Roadhouse.

Renowned across 21 states as a "come-as-you-are," down-to-earth place to eat, the menu is packed with goodies, from mouthwatering steaks to burgers that will fill even the hungriest diner's belly. Hidden among all that meat-based protein is the "From the Dock" section, which includes a white fish slathered in batter made with Miller Light beer. It's so crispy and tasty that some diners insist it's better than chains renowned for their fried fish. We'll let you make up your own minds, but if you happen to be in the Carolinas, then there's another fishy treat on Logan's Roadhouse regional menu: Hand-breaded catfish, made to order, no mistakes.

The coating is a traditional cornmeal breading, and even better, the fish isn't some skinny portion — this is Southern food, after all. Logan's Roadhouse's fried catfish has become a go-to order for many regulars, though it and its traditionally battered cousin still manage to fly under the radar.

Ever since it opened the doors on its first outlet in Decatur in 1980, Applebee's has been serving up lashings of comfort food to millions of hungry customers. The chain has more than 1,470 restaurants in the United States, as well as outlets in several countries, including Canada and Saudi Arabia. In the U.S., Applebee's has seen plenty of changes, not least its name, but its combination of affordable food, family friendly vibe, and willingness to embrace technology has ensured its place in the hearts of regulars.

Social media hasn't always been kind to Applebee's, but what the chain does, it does well, something even skeptical online reviewers will admit. One of the under-the-radar menu items that Applebee's knocks out of the park is its hand-battered fish and chips. Three huge pieces of delicious pollock or cod are enveloped in a crispy, golden batter that's seasoned to perfection, accompanied by a generous portion of fries.

It doesn't just look and taste good, it's great value, especially for families on a budget. Applebee's fish and chips comes in around $10. Customers like the excellent price, but the meal deal hits the spot when it comes to flavor too. If you want a hearty meal that won't break the bank, the Friday fish special will do the job.

Life may be like a box of chocolates, but there's still nothing like the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Inspired by the hit film "Forrest Gump," the chain was launched in 1996 in Monterey, California and, by 2025 had grown to 20 restaurants across eight states. It serves up a smorgasbord of shrimp-based dishes (as you'd expect), but it's not the only seafood treasure lurking among its menu.

Fish and chip lovers get two choices at Bubba Gump. There's the Captain's fish and chips, while a portion comes as part of the massive Forrest's Seafood Feast. Delightfully, there's plenty of foodie substance beneath the Hollywood style too. The golden, battered fish is, like the rest of the dishes on sale, generously portioned, with just the right amount of crunch.

A lot of people go to Bubba Gump's for the experience, or to test their knowledge of the blockbuster film with the wait staff, but don't sleep on the fried fish. Anyone who has had their fish and chips knows it's anywhere between excellent to the best seafood people have ever had, even on a busy day (and there are lots of them). Run, Forrest, run, and grab yourself a plateful.

Determining which restaurant chains had the best fried fish involved a lot of research. We started by identifying which ones actually had it on their menus, of course, then looked closely at what their customers said about them. We sifted through hundreds of online posts, articles and reviews to whittle down the potential candidates, using the best of the best to compile our list.