The Difference Between McDonald's And Burger King's Fish Sandwiches

The fast food fish sandwich is probably not the most glamorous item on the menu. Fish isn't everyone's favorite food, and it can be a little iffy (check out our list of the worst-quality fast food fish sandwiches), so fried fish on a bun will never achieve the iconic status of a burger or even a spicy chicken sandwich. And yet, if you're a pescatarian — or just want something different from beef, pork, or poultry — it's a welcome option.

However, not every fish sandwich is the same. For instance, consider the offerings at McDonald's and Burger King. While both chains offer a fried fish sandwich made with Alaskan pollock served on a bun with tartar sauce, there are a few key differences: For one, the McDonald's fish sandwich, the Filet-O-Fish, comes with half a slice of American cheese and is served on a steamed bun. Meanwhile, Burger King's fish sandwich, the Big Fish, lives up to its name by being larger and longer than the McDonald's version, and it contains no cheese.

The Filet-O-Fish was the first item to be added to the original McDonald's menu, as well as the chain's first sandwich that wasn't a burger. It was added in 1965 after outperforming sales of the bizarre-sounding Hula Burger (a slice of grilled pineapple and cheese on a bun), which it competed against for a spot on the menu to satisfy customers abstaining from meat for religious reasons. It's been a popular menu item ever since, especially during Lent. 

According to the McDonald's website, the fish sandwich "features a crispy fish filet patty made with wild-caught Alaskan Pollock on melty American cheese and is topped with creamy McDonald's tartar sauce, all served on a soft, steamed bun." It retails for around $5.50 and contains 16 grams of protein and 580 mg of sodium. 

There's a lot of love for the Filet-O-Fish out there, but some customers recommend making some adjustments to perfect it. One Reddit user referred to this sandwich as "the best thing on the menu" — but only if you ask for extra cheese and extra tartar sauce. 

Did you know that the Big Fish was not the first fish sandwich that Burger King ever offered? No, that distinction goes to The Whaler (check out the whole story of this strange fast food fish sandwich that didn't make it past the '90s). But after discontinuing The Whaler, Burger King redeveloped its fish formula and introduced the Big Fish. According to the chain's website, the sandwich is made with "White Alaskan Pollock with crispy panko breading, sweet tartar sauce, lettuce and crunchy pickles on a toasted potato bun." 

The Big Fish contains 19 grams of protein and 1,270 mg of sodium and it retails for about $5.30. A spicy version of the same sandwich, the Fiery Big Fish, is a seasonal item that the chain sometimes brings back during Lent. The Big Fish is bigger than the McDonald's version, although customers have said that this fast food sandwich has been shrinking in size over the years.