Lent specials and deals: 15 restaurants serving up seafood

Giving up meat for Lent, or at least on the Fridays leading up to Holy Thursday? Well, luckily for you, some fast-food spots and restaurants have you covered with fish offerings.

Feb. 14 may have been Valentine’s Day, but it also was Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. For Christians around the world, the 40-day religious period is an observance of the time Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert.

Christians commemorate this by sacrificing something they hold dear, whether it be television, sweets like noted ice cream-lover President Joe Biden, or Instagram, like TODAY’s own Savannah Guthrie in 2023.

Giving up meat for Lent is a popular option for Christians, and many folks treat fish as their main protein during that time. While you may expect Chick-fil-A, the most outwardly religious of all the major fast-food chains, would offer its customers a fish sandwich during this time, it states in its FAQ that it isn’t “offering a seasonal fish entrée this year” but has vegetarian-friendly meal options including biscuits, salad and desserts.

For those looking for their fish sandwich fix, however, there are a bevy of alternatives — plus quite a few deals so you can save big on seafood.

McDonald’s

One could not write about fish sandwiches without first acknowledging McDonald’s staple — the Filet-O-Fish — which inspired a classic jingle involving a robotic bass lamenting his brethren’s fate as fast food. In reality, the sandwich features a wild-caught Alaska pollock made into a crispy fish fillet patty topped with American cheese and McDonald’s tartar sauce, served on a steamed bun.

Burger King

Burger King now has a spicy version of its fish sandwich, which the brand says makes it “a great option for those observing Lent” or those seafood-lovers seeking a tangier take on the original.

• Fiery Big Fish: Available for a limited time at participating Burger King restaurants nationwide, the Fiery Big Fish features a fried fish fillet with lettuce, pickles, tartar sauce and a spicy glaze served on a brioche-style bun.

• Big Fish: BK’s OG fish sandwich features Alaska pollock with panko breading, sweet tartar sauce, lettuce and pickles on a toasted bun..

Through March 28, rewards members who purchase either of the fish sandwiches online or in the BK app can get a second one for $2. The offer is available at participating restaurants for order-ahead and BK delivery and can’t be combined with other offers.

White Castle 

White Castle has a few seafood options available now to order, including:

• Fish Slider: This dish features lightly breaded Alaska pollock topped with your choice of American, jalapeño or smoked cheddar cheese.

• Panko Breaded Fish Sliders: This remix on the fish slider features Alaska pollock with a crispy panko breading topped with American cheese.

• Clam Strips: This dish consists of crispy Atlantic surf clams coated in a light breading, available in small, medium and sack sizes.

• Shrimp Nibblers: Available in original or Sriracha-flavored versions, this item features bite-sized and shareable butterfly shrimp in a light and crispy coating.

Over the next few weeks, you can score the following deals at White Castle:

• $5 for a two-piece Panko Fish Slider Meal ($5.50 in New York, New Jersey, Arizona and Florida) on Fridays only in-store through March 31

• $1 off any size Shrimp Nibblers (except in Florida and Tempe, Arizona) each day in-store through March 31

• $1 off any size Clam Strips (except in Arizona and Florida) on mobile orders each day through March 31

Popeyes

Popeyes just brought back two seafood offerings for Lent: the Flounder Fish Sandwich and Shrimp Tackle Box, which are both available for a limited time at participating restaurants nationwide, joining the chain’s year-round seafood offerings, like the Surf and Turf Box and Popcorn Shrimp.

• Flounder Fish Sandwich: Starting at $5.99, this item comes in both Classic and Spicy varieties. The sandwich features an Alaskan flounder fillet marinated it in Louisiana herbs and spices, dusted in a Southern crispy coating, fried and served on a toasted brioche bun topped with barrel-cured pickles and a classic tartar sauce or spicy spread.

• Shrimp Tackle Box: Also starting at $5.99, this item features eight butterfly shrimp seasoned in a blend of Louisiana herbs and spices, breaded and fried. The box is paired with a regular side, a biscuit and classic tartar sauce.

Wendy’s

On Feb. 12, Wendy’s brought back its Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich, which pairs a wild-caught Alaska pollock fillet coated in panko breading and topped with lettuce, American cheese, pickles and a creamy dill tartar sauce, served on a bun, for about $6.19.

Arby’s

Arby’s may “have the meats,” but it also has three fish sandwich options. And as part of its 2 for $6 Crispy Fish Sandwiches deal, you can get the two following items for $6 until April 8:

• Crispy Fish Sandwich: This sandwich features a crispy fish fillet with shredded lettuce and tartar sauce on a toasted sesame seed bun.

• Fish ‘N Cheddar Sandwich: This sandwich features a crispy fish fillet with shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese sauce and tartar sauce on a toasted sesame seed bun.

This one’s not a part of the deal, but it’s still worth mentioning:

• King’s Hawaiian Fish Deluxe: This sandwich features a crispy fish fillet topped with cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce, served on a toasted King’s Hawaiian roll.

Bojangles

On Feb. 12, the home of the Bo-Berry Biscuit announced it’s offering the Bojangler Fish Sandwich for a limited time. This item features an Alaskan pollock fillet dusted in Bojangles’ Famous Seasoning and topped with a slice of American cheese and tartar sauce and served on a toasted bun.

Customers can order the Bojangler a la carte or as a combo meal, which comes with a side and drink.

More deals for Lent

Bar Louie

Every Friday through March 29, Bar Louie is hosting “Fish Fridays” and offering rewards members double rewards points on seafood dishes.

Carl’s Jr.

Carl’s Jr. rewards members can get two Panko-Breaded Fish Sandwiches for just $5 through April 10 in the restaurant’s app.

Golden Corral

Butterfly shrimp is back at Golden Corral for a limited time, and the restaurant has cut the price of the menu item this year. It will be $3.66 a pound, which is nearly $0.30 less per pound than it was in 2023.

Long John Silver’s

Long John Silver’s has two deals in store for Lent:

• $6 Shrimp Baskets: Choose from the following options: Six pieces of grilled shrimp, six pieces of batter-dipped shrimp or crispy breaded popcorn shrimp.

• $10 Shrimp Sea-Shares: Choose from 15 pieces of grilled shrimp, 15 pieces of batter-dipped shrimp or a shareable serving of crispy breaded popcorn shrimp.

Pokeworks

Pokeworks rewards members will get double points on all orders each Friday through March 29.

Red Lobster

To celebrate the annual return of Lobsterfest, Red Lobster is hosting an Endless Lobster Experience giveaway starting Feb. 20, while supplies last.

Keep an eye on the company’s Facebook, X, TikTok and Instagram channels to find out when they can attempt to claim the Endless Lobster Experience. 150 customers will win the chance to stop by their favorite Red Lobster for two hours of endless lobster.

Taco John’s

Alaska Flounder Fish Tacos are back on the Taco John’s menu, and they’re $6.50 for two.

Twin Peaks

Through March 28, Twin Peaks is serving up the following deals only on Fridays:

• $12 for an order of fish and chips and a 22-ounce Miller Lite or Coors Light

• $10 for an order of fish and chips and a soda or tea

This article was originally published on TODAY.com