Fish Sandwiches and Other Meatless Options are all the Rage at Fast-Food Franchises this Lenten Season
The 40 days excluding Sundays that lead up to Easter on April 20 this year are known as Lent. During this time, observant Christians, particularly Roman Catholics, abstain from meat on Fridays, as well as other foods and beverages as a form of self-reflection and self-denial. Abstaining from meat can make eating out challenging, but many fast-food franchises add fish, seafood and other meatless options to their menus during this time to make the experience more enjoyable.
Read on for a listing of fast-food brands that are offering deals and discounts this Lenten season.
Lent 2025: Best Restaurant Deals and Discounts
Arby’s
Arby’s surf- and-turf sandwich deal allows customers to mix and match two sandwiches for $6.99; choices include crispy fish and Fish ‘N’ Cheddar sandwiches. This deal is available for a limited time.
Bob Evans Farmhouse Kitchen
Families seeking fish on Fridays can find great options at Bob Evans Farmhouse Kitchen. With the help of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), Bob Evans is offering Alaska cod in its fish fry platter and fish fry sandwich (above).
Burger King
Burger King’s Fish’N Crisp sandwich (above) features a fish fillet topped with a slice of American cheese and tangy tartar sauce in a toasted sesame bun.
Additionally, the fiery big fish sandwich is available through April 20. This sandwich is made with a white Alaskan Pollock fillet coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs, topped with tartar sauce, lettuce, crunchy pickles and a spicy glaze. Royal Perks loyalty program members can get one for $2 with the purchase of one at regular price through Easter.
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, both owned by CKE Restaurant Holdings, are bringing back the Redhook Beer-battered fish sandwich for Lent. The sandwich, sold individually or two for $7, is available through April 22 at Carl’s Jr. and through April 29 at Hardee’s locations.
Del Taco
Del Taco is serving up jumbo shrimp in tacos (above) or burritos as well as beer-battered fish tacos through April 23. The Mexican-inspired brand also is celebrating Fish Fridays by offering guests $2 off any size fish taco meal every Friday through April 18. This deal is redeemable by ordering online or through the Del Taco Rewards app.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has brought back its deluxe crispy fish sandwich (above) for the Lenten season. The limited-time menu item is available through April 17.
Happy Joe’s
Happy Joe’s is offering the blackened shrimp pizza (above) as a meatless option for Lent. This seasonal menu item is available at participating locations.
Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box has brought back the Jack’s fish sandwich until April 17. Prices start at $2.99, and guests get $2 fish sandwiches in the Jack app on Fridays.
Long John Silver’s
Long John Silver’s has $6 shrimp baskets and a $10 shrimp sea-share entrée during Lent. The $6 baskets include coconut butterfly, grilled or batter-dipped shrimp.
McDonald’s
The McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwich (above) is always a fan favorite during the Lenten season. The sandwich features a crispy fish filet topped with melted American cheese and a creamy tartar sauce served on a bun.
Native Grill & Wings
Native Grill & Wings has great deals during the Lenten season. Individuals looking for a meatless option can enjoy the native crispy fish sandwich (above) for $9.99, or pair it with a Coors Light for $13.99 or a non-alcoholic beverage for $11.99.
Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses
Shrimp is all the rage at Ponderosa and Bonanza steakhouses this Lenten season. Both restaurants are serving jumbo breaded fried shrimp, jumbo coconut fried shrimp, garlic and herb shells on shrimp, and grilled and bourbon-glazed shrimp skewers over rice pilaf. Guests can mix and match two entrees starting at $16.99 or three for $19.99, with an optional buffet add-on.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
Popeyes has two limited-time specials during the Lenten season: the shrimp tacklebox and flounder sandwich, which are available for $5.99 each.
QDOBA
QDOBA is adding some zing to the season with its citrus lime shrimp sautéed in a zesty citrus-garlic sauce.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Café
Taziki’s Mediterranean Café is doing its part this Lenten season by offering delicious meatless options including the grilled fish sandwich, grilled shrimp feast and grilled salmon feast.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s crispy panko fish sandwich (above) is available through Easter. The sandwich consists of Alaskan pollock, dill tartar sauce, lettuce, pickles and a slice of American cheese on a bun.
Zaxbys
Southern fried shrimp is back at participating Zaxbys locations through April 27 in the ZaxSeas Surf & Turf Meal (above).
