The Fast Food Fish Sandwich Reddit Wishes Was Available Year-Round (It's Not Wendy's)

Whether you're looking for fast food dining options during Lent or for a pescatarian diet, there's quite a debate over where to get the best fish sandwich. Daily Meal ranked the best fast food fish sandwiches, and the seasonal Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich at Wendy's was the winner during that taste test. However, we didn't get to compare some fish sandwiches, and by the looks of Reddit comments, the Whatacatch at Whataburger is one that customers wish they could get all year.

As a Southern-born fast food chain that has made its mark across 17 states, Whataburger is best known for its beef burgers. Every year around Lent, though, its Whatacatch sandwich returns for a limited time. Many fans of the sandwich have taken to social media to express their love for it and their hopes for it to become a permanent menu item.

One customer loves the sandwich so much that they wrote a letter to Whataburger and posted it on Reddit. "If you are reading this, please make the fish sandwich a permanent menu item. This is my official profession of love for the Whatacatch." The poster also notes that the sandwich is the only menu item they would order at the restaurant. In another declaration of love for the Whatacatch, a Reddit user commented that they "wait all year for its return," and yet another echoed that sentiment in a post, stating, "The Whatacatch sandwich SHOULD be year-round, but it's not."

One commenter remembered being able to order the sandwich throughout the year before. However, a former Whataburger employee explained that it didn't sell well enough outside of the Lent period and was mostly cooked to order, which also took longer.

There's always some bias when it comes to choosing the best fast food fish sandwich — or any sandwich, really — because of taste preferences. While the Wendy's Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich was Daily Meal's top pick, some customers and workers consider it one of the items to avoid ordering at Wendy's. There are also Whataburger diners who don't share the same love for the Whatacatch. However, it's possible to get a sense of how these two sandwiches compare before you even try them.

Both feature wild Alaskan pollock, but the size of the fish is noticeably different, with the Wendy's fillet fitting within the bun and the Whataburger fillet hanging out the sides. Although they also both feature a panko-style breading, the seasonings are a little different. Each has garlic, onion, and a blend of spices, but based on the respective ingredient lists, the Whatacatch appears to use more of those seasonings and adds hot sauce to its coating. Because of that, these two taste totally different.

Along with Whataburger using a small white bun and Wendy's using a potato bun, there are differences in the toppings. The Whatacatch features iceberg lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce, while the Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich features crinkle cut pickles, lettuce, dill tartar sauce, and a slice of American cheese. No matter which restaurant and fish sandwich you choose, though, you can customize it how you like. At Whataburger, for instance, some customers like adding a second fish fillet, jalapeños, and cheese.