Pollock has made its way onto several restaurant menus in the U.S. as the Lenten season kicks off this year, but many other species, including shrimp, flounder, cod, and more, are also being featured.
Restaurant chain McDonald’s is promoting its Filet-O-Fish sandwich yet again this year, and even though the sandwich, made with Alaska pollock, is available year-round, some regions of the country are touting specials such as USD 2.50 (EUR 2.11) per sandwich for a limited time during Lent.
Meanwhile, hamburger restaurant chain Krystal is debuting a new Crispy Fish Slider made with pollock, while Jack in the Box is featuring The Moby Jack Fish Sandwich, a panko-breaded pollock fillet with shredded lettuce and tartar sauce on a toasted bun.
Similarly, White Castle is touting Panko Fish Sliders featuring pollock, and Dairy Queen’s Wild Alaskan Fish Sandwich features a crispy, breaded wild-caught pollock fillet.
Taco John’s is showcasing pollock through a fish taco offering and a new Big Fish Sandwich that includes nacho cheese and lettuce on a soft potato bun.
Burger King’s The Big Fish Sandwich contains a crispy pollock fillet topped with American cheese and tangy tartar sauce on a toasted sesame bun.
Despite the heavy focus on pollock, other chains are also highlighting shrimp options this Lenten season.
Long John Silver’s is stressing value with its USD 6.00 (EUR 5.07) Shrimp Basket for Lent, now available in Sweet Chili flavor.
“The limited-time offer [LTO] underscores Long John Silver’s broader commitment to delivering full, flavorful meals at a USD 6.00 price point through rotating basket options planned for 2026,” the chain said in a release.
Long John Silver’s competitor Captain D’s is unveiling a new Crispy Crunchy Shrimp offering, which is butterfly shrimp coated in flaky, crushed wontons. Also stressing value, the chain is offering its Crispy Crunchy Shrimp and Fish Meal for USD 5.99 (EUR 5.07). The combo includes four Crispy Crunchy Shrimp, one batter-dipped fish fillet, sweet and sour sauce, hush puppies, and a choice of a classic side.
Guests can also order the eight-piece Crispy Crunchy Shrimp and two-piece Fish Meal or the Ultimate Seafood Platter with Crispy Crunchy Shrimp. Captain D's is rounding out its Lent lineup with guest-favorite add-ons including fried oysters and seafood gumbo.
"Every Lent, we see an increase in guests seeking out seafood, which has been our wheelhouse for over 55 years," Captain D’s Chief Marketing Officer Jonathan Muhtar said. "We're proud to introduce our delicious Crispy Crunchy Shrimp during this season as the perfect complement to our beloved sweet and sour sauce.”
The menu options align with the strategy Captain D’s Chief Supply Chain Officer Janet Duckham laid out at the 2026 Global Seafood Market Conference (GSMC), where she said Captain D’s is focusing on LTOs in order to innovate and grow sales.
“Where you really get value is through an LTO. We need to have a compelling item that appeals to everyone,” Duckham said at the time.
Elsewhere, chicken restaurant chain Zaxby’s is bringing back Southern Fried Shrimp and Giant Quesadillas. Guests can order the ZaxSeas Surf & Turf Meal that includes eight Southern Fried Shrimp and three Chicken Fingerz with Zax sauce, Texas toast, crinkle fries, and a small drink; a Southern Fried Shrimp Meal with eight crispy butterflied shrimp served with zesty Zax sauce, Texas toast, crinkle fries, and a small drink; and a Southern Fried Shrimp Side.
Buffet restaurant chain Golden Corral has also brought back a previous offering: its All-You-Can-Eat Butterfly Shrimp & Steak special. The company is offering signature Carved Sirloin and jumbo Butterfly Shrimp for a limited time while allowing guests to add on a lobster tail for USD 7.99 (EUR 6.75), which is “significantly less than found at other restaurants,” it said in a release.
“This great value elevates a buffet favorite into a full deluxe surf-and-turf experience,” Golden Corral said. To complement the steak and shrimp, the brand is offering a wider selection of seafood throughout Lent, such as Seafood Cakes, Baked Fish, Bone-In Catfish, and new Cajun Breaded Fried Fish.
Popeyes’ Flounder Fish Sandwich, first introduced in 2021, is being offered for a limited time in both Classic and Spicy varieties. The sandwich features an Alaska-sourced flounder fillet served on a warm, toasted brioche bun with pickles and tartar sauce. The Spicy version adds a Louisiana-inspired marinade and seasoned crispy coating, finished with either Classic Tartar or Spicy Spread.
Also getting in on whitefish offerings this Lenten season is Bob Evans, which is rolling out the Fish Fry Platter, comprising three fillets of wild-caught Alaska cod in a light, pub-style batter, served with onion rings, dill tartar sauce and a lemon wedge.
Datassential Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Kelley Fechner, who also spoke at the 2026 GSMC, said that LTOs like the ones offered by myriad chains during this year’s Lenten season are essential to draw in customers, especially as American consumer concerns about the economy have risen.
“How do you get consumers to get excited about seafood if we are not talking to them and those LTO promotions are not about seafood?” she said at the conference.
