The Unexpected Chain That Claims To Have Some Of The Best Wild-Caught Cod

If you know what makes Culver's butter burgers special — a schmear of dairy, which, like Culver's, comes from Wisconsin — you may have already dined at this growing fast food chain, which Reddit reviews have dubbed some of the best fast food around. But Culver's is about more than just beefy patties or even cheese curds, which are a side option that makes it unique amongst competitors. It may not be an intuitive part of the franchise's menu, but Culver's also offers wild-caught cod, the origins of which make it special, at least according to the company's website.

The fish is caught in the North Atlantic, as the name suggests, and more specifically in the frigid Barents Sea north of the Arctic Circle, between Scandinavia, Russia, and the North Pole. According to a Culver's fish supplier, the cleanliness of the freezing waters leads to greater purity of flesh in the cod, which grows slowly in this habitat and therefore develops exquisite flavor over a long period. Culver's has said it's committed to sustainable fishing and to preserving the maritime way of life of the people who catch their haul.

There are several differences between farmed and wild-caught cod. Sustainability depends on the breed of fish and the methods of fishing, but there are big differences in taste and even nutrition. Wild fish eat a natural diet, which can give the meat more depth of flavor and color. Farmed fish, on the other hand, may be raised on grains that make the meat paler and thicker. Farm-raised fish are more prone to contamination than wild fish caught under appropriate conditions as well.

For those who want to try Culver's acclaimed wild-caught North Atlantic cod, you have a couple of options for entrees. Unlike fast food restaurants that offer seasonal fish sandwiches for Lent, Culver's fields a cod sandwich year-round. It's topped with shredded cheese, lettuce, and the chain's tartar sauce, which has an unusual ingredient: capers. With some crinkle fries, we think this would be a fine lunch. For a more hearty repast, you can dig into the chain's cod dinner, which is served with two planks of hand-battered fish, your choice of two sides, sliced lemon, and a roll with butter. It's rare to see a fast food meal that looks like a bonafide well-rounded dinner, but Culver's somehow captures the feeling.

This is all the more welcome because there aren't always great options for seafood lovers in the fast food world. Sure, McDonald's offers its trusty Filet-O-Fish, but what's available beyond that? Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips dwindled from 800 former locations down to currently just three, all located in the state of Ohio, and Long John Silver's has been in a steady state of decline for a long time now. Captain D's might be staking a claim as the major fast food spot for fish in America, but it's only present in less than half of U.S. states. When a fast food joint offers exceptional fish, we sit up and take notice, so you can bet we'll be stopping by Culver's to sample its cod and see if it lives up to the hype.