Convenience store chain 7-Eleven is bringing back its Alaska pollock fish sandwich it featured during the 2022 Lenten season.
Via a partnership with Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based Trident Seafooods is supplying the fish for the sandwiches, the company's vice president of communications, Alexis Telfer, confirmed to SeafoodSource. The sandwich will feature garlic- and herb-flavored Alaska pollock fillet topped with American cheese and tartar sauce and served on a brioche bun.
"Trident Seafoods, Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers and 7-Eleven doing what we do best: partnering to bring healthy, sustainable, low-carbon footprint protein to consumers," Telfer wrote on LinkedIn.
The sandwich will be available through the 2023 Lenten season, which runs from 22 February through 6 April.
“Our partnership with 7-Eleven continues to be one that not only puts wild Alaska pollock into a fast-growing consumption channel that’s new for our fish: convenience stores, but also one that raises awareness about wild Alaska pollock’s inherent attributes,” GAPP CEO Craig Morris told SeafoodSource. “It’s incredible to partner with a company that values its suppliers and wants to share their stories the way 7-Eleven does.”
Many other restaurant chains are also creating new or bringing back seafood Lenten specials.
Long John Silver’s (LJS) is offering several shrimp specials as an affordable option for customers, the company told SeafoodSource.
“Shrimp continues to be the most-popular seafood option in the United States, and this Lent we are making it more accessible by offering a variety of USD 6.00 (EUR 5.62) Shrimp Baskets that won’t break the treasure chest,” LJS Senior Vice President of Marketing and Innovation Christopher Caudill told SeafoodSource.
Pacific Coral Seafood, Red Chamber, and Tampa Bay Fisheries supply the restaurant chain’s shrimp, Caudill said.
"We provide value by serving casual-dining quality seafood with fast-food prices, convenience, and speed," he said.
Featured shrimp baskets include: Six-Piece Grilled Shrimp that are seasoned, grilled, and served on a bed of rice with one side; Six-Piece Batter-Dipped Shrimp, which are hand-battered in house and served with a choice of one side and two hushpuppies; and Crispy Breaded Popcorn Shrimp served with a choice of one side and two hushpuppies.
LJS is also bringing back its USD 10.00 (EUR 9.37) Shrimp Sea-Shares, which features 15-Piece Grilled Shrimp, 15-Piece Batter-Dipped Shrimp, and a “shareable serving” of Crispy Breaded Popcorn Shrimp, the company said in a press release. LJS’s Fish and Shrimp Family Feast includes 12 batter-dipped shrimp, eight pieces of hand-battered, wild-caught Alaska pollock, two family-size sides, and eight hushpuppies.
Miami, Florida-based Popeyes is bringing back its Flounder Fish Sandwich and the Shrimp Tackle Box for a limited time, the fast food chain said, The sandwich, available in the U.S. and Canada, was introduced in 2021 and now comes in both classic or spicy varieties.
Popeyes’ USD 6.00 (EUR 5.61) Shrimp Tackle Box features eight tender, crispy butterfly shrimp, a regular side, a hot buttery biscuit and the restaurants Classic Tartar sauce.
Another restaurant chain utilizing flounder is Wichita, Kansas-based Freddy’s, which rolled out a new Deluxe Crispy Fish Sandwich through 18 April. The sandwich includes a four-ounce piece of battered Alaska flounder topped with homemade tartar sauce, lettuce, pickles and melted American cheese on a toasted bun.
"Our guests highly anticipate the return of our fish sandwich each year. This spring, we're offering a new, enhanced fish product we're sure both returning and new guests will enjoy," Freddy’s Chief Marketing Officer Laura Rueckel said. "Our Deluxe Crispy Fish Sandwich is a premium fish option made with succulent and flaky Alaska flounder that pairs perfectly with the special tartar sauce we prepare in-house.”
Columbus, Ohio-based White Castle is bringing back its Shrimp Nibblers and debuting Sriracha Shrimp Nibblers. The shareable, bite-sized butterfly shrimp are available at participating locations through 9 April, the restaurant chain said.
White Castle's year-round seafood menu items include Fish Nibblers and Panko Fish Sliders, both made from wild Alaska pollock.
Mexican casual dining brand On the Border Grill and Cantina, based in Dallas, Texas, rolled out several new menu items as part of its Crab Fiesta promotion. New dishes include Crab Tostadas, Stuffed Crab Enchiladas, and Mexican Crab Dip, the company said.
“Our inspiration for featuring wild-caught crab is to showcase the coastal flavors of Mexico,” On the Border Senior Director of Culinary Daniel Camp said. “Our guests can enjoy the diversity and richness of flavors found in Mexican cuisine for a taste of something unique and delicious.”
During the chain's Crab Fiesta, customers can add crab to any entrée for USD 3.99 (EUR 3.75).
Photo courtesy of Long John Silver’s
