The Best Fried Fish Sandwiches To Try in Your State
Craving something crispy and flaky? We found the best fried fish sandwiches in every state worth planning a stop for. You’ll find them at roadside shacks and popular local spots serving big flavors. These are the sandwiches locals keep coming back to.
Alabama—Saw’s Soul Kitchen (Birmingham)
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If you like your fried fish kissed with smoke and attitude, Saw’s Soul Kitchen is where it’s at. Their catfish sandwich is crisp and flaky and stacked with creamy slaw, served with true Southern tastes. Pro tip: Grab a side of their turnip greens.
Alaska—The Hangar On The Wharf (Juneau)
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You haven’t lived until you’ve had a wild-caught halibut sandwich with a view of humpbacks breaching in the bay. The Hangar On The Wharf makes theirs golden and juicy, placed in a soft bun with house tartar. It’s fish this fresh from the dock that makes Alaskans roll their eyes at anything flown in.
Arizona—Angie’s Lobster (Phoenix)
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Angie fries up lobster into a crispy, buttery handheld that’s shockingly affordable. It’s served drive-thru style with tangy slaw, seasoned fries, and tartar sauce bringing zing. Who says you need a coastline to crush a fried fish fix?
Arkansas—Flying Fish (Little Rock)
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This quirky spot near the river serves up catfish like Grandma meant it—cornmeal-crusted, golden, and stacked high. At Flying Fish, it comes loaded with pickles, lettuce, and hot sauce for the perfect Southern bite. Bonus points for the Billy Bass adoption wall that makes you laugh while you wait. It’s all kinds of fun.
California—Malibu Seafood (Malibu)
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Lunch with an ocean view and a sandwich that crackles when you bite? Yes, please. Malibu Seafood keeps things fresh with Pacific cod fried crisp and placed in a no-frills bun with tartar and lettuce. It tastes even better with a coastal salty breeze and seagulls as your background soundtrack.
Colorado—GB Fish & Chips (Denver)
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GB Fish & Chips is where flaky cod fillets get the pub-style fry treatment. It’s served with malt vinegar, thick-cut fries, and major crunch. Grab a seat in their vintage red bus out front and munch like a mile-high Londoner.
Connecticut—Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock (New London)
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Along the marina, this local favorite keeps things simple and salty. Their pillowy fried fish roll features golden haddock, a soft-grilled bun, and a hit of lemony slaw that brings out each bite. It’s the kind of thing that makes you linger on the dock.
Delaware—Matt’s Fish Camp (Lewes)
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Matt’s serves crispy cod stacked on a soft bun with tangy remoulade and house pickles. The breeze smells like saltwater and fries, and the vibe is pure chill. Pick a local beer and dig in; this beachy bite is the best kind of messy with gourmet edges.
Florida—The Fish Shack (Pompano Beach)
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Locals line up for the snapper that’s fried to golden perfection and placed inside a toasted bun. The Fish Shack is small, scrappy, and tasty. Everything’s loud: the crunch, the flavors, and the customers who swear it’s the best in the state.
Georgia—The Optimist (Atlanta)
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This upscale spot in Atlanta serves a fried catch that’s predictable. Their sandwich is stacked high with Gulf fish, house slaw, and spicy aioli, all in a pillowy bun. It’s bold, clean, and perfectly cooked. Come for the seafood, stay for the breezy, vacation-in-the-city vibes.
Hawaii—Nico’s Pier 38 (Honolulu)
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Straight off the boat and into the fryer, Nico’s fresh catch, often mahi or ono, changes daily but always hits the spot. It’s served with house tartar and crunchy lettuce. Locals swear by it, and the dockside views don’t hurt.
Idaho—Reel Foods Fish Market (Boise)
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Inside a fresh marine food market, this place surprises you with a buttery, lemony, and crunchy sandwich. You can choose cod, catfish, or trout, all fried to bring out the fish’s natural taste, and a cold soda to wash it down.
Illinois—Calumet Fisheries (Chicago)
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Calumet has been doing it right since 1948. Their fried smelt or catfish sandwiches are wrapped in wax paper and taste like crispy nostalgia. There’s no indoor seating, but the car hood works fine. Pro tip: order it spicy and watch the skyline sparkle from the lot.
Indiana—Caplinger’s Fresh Catch (Indianapolis)
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Locals swear by Caplinger’s crispy haddock, stacked on a hoagie with house-made tartar and a generous sprinkle of love (and maybe a little Old Bay). It’s a fish market that fries like a dream—super casual, deeply Midwestern, always fresh, and portioned like they’re feeding linebackers.
Iowa—Bluff Lake Catfish Farm (Maquoketa)
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This seasonal spot sits lakeside and serves deep-fried catfish that’s crispy on the outside, buttery on the inside, and slapped between two buns like it belongs there. Folks drive hours for it, especially on all-you-can-eat weekends.
Kansas—Hook & Reel (Overland Park)
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Their fried tilapia sandwich is stacked with creamy sauce and Cajun crunch. Toasted bread holds it together. The sauce is spiced enough to keep things interesting, and it’s served with seasoned fries. It’s perfect fuel before hitting the mall—or after escaping it.
Kentucky—The Fish House (Louisville)
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Ask a Louisvillian where to get fried fish, and they’ll point you here. The Fish House makes a sandwich so big it hangs off the bun like it’s trying to escape. Extra crispy cod, creamy slaw, and a buttered bun come together in glorious harmony.
Louisiana—Parkway Bakery & Tavern (New Orleans)
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This NOLA legend may be known for po’ boys, but their fried catfish version is pure magic. It’s lightly battered, perfectly seasoned, and stuffed in Leidenheimer bread with lettuce, pickles, and mayo. Pair it with Zapp’s chips and a Barq’s root beer. You’ll feel full and happy for hours.
Maine—Bite Into Maine (Cape Elizabeth)
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This place is known for lobster rolls, yes—but don’t skip the crispy haddock on a buttered bun at this bright food truck. It’s flaky, fresh-off-the-boat fish with a golden crust and just the right hit of salt. Add a side of sea breeze and lighthouse views, and you’ve got yourself a Maine moment worth remembering.
Maryland—Thames Street Oyster House (Baltimore)
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This harborfront favorite leans is fried perfection with a cod sandwich that’s all crunch and comfort. It’s a tidy little masterpiece served on a brioche bun with herby remoulade and shredded lettuce. Don’t skip the side of Old Bay fries, as they’re practically a rite of passage in this town.
Massachusetts—Kelly’s Roast Beef (Revere)
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This is an old-school spot that somehow nails fried fish with the same passion they put into roast beef. It offers thick fillets, crisp crust, soft bun, and a messy pile of tartar and lettuce. Order at the window and eat with your elbows.
Michigan—Scotty Simpson’s Fish & Chips (Detroit)
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This Detroit classic has been frying cod since 1950, and it shows. The fish is flaky, piping hot, and dipped in a whisper-light batter that crackles when you bite. They slide it into white bread with pickles and call it a day.
Minnesota—Mac’s Fish & Chips (St. Paul)
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British-style cod, golden and steaming, gets the American handheld treatment at Mac’s. Wrapped in wax paper with tartar and a lemon wedge, it’s crunchy, satisfying, and served with a smile. This cozy spot feels like home, especially with thick-cut fries and a malt vinegar drizzle.
Mississippi—Bozo’s Seafood Market (Pascagoula)
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Bozo’s makes a fried catfish sandwich that’s crunchy, juicy, and oversized—in the best way. It’s served on a soft hoagie roll with pickles and hot sauce. Don’t forget a side of hush puppies.
Missouri—The Shaved Duck (St. Louis)
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The Shaved Duck knows its way around fish. Their catfish sandwich is smoked first and then lightly fried to give it deep flavor and the perfect crunch. It’s topped with slaw and spicy remoulade, so there’s a Southern spin you won’t see coming. Wash it down with local craft beer, and thank us later.
Montana—The Dive Bakery Café (Missoula)
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Bakeries don’t usually fry fish, but this one does and nails it. The Dive’s fried trout sandwich is tender, local, and served on house-baked bread that steals the show. A touch of lemon aioli and leafy greens round it out.
Nebraska—Timmy’s Fish & Chips (Omaha)
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Timmy’s cranks out crunchy, no-nonsense cod that’s fried until golden and stacked onto a warm hoagie roll. A slather of tartar and a sprinkle of lemon pepper seal the deal. It’s the kind of sandwich you eat too fast and instantly wish you had ordered two.
Nevada—The Codfather (Las Vegas)
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This cheeky spot dishes out a fried cod sandwich with attitude. Huge fillets, battered crispy, are layered into a toasted bun with vinegar slaw and tartar sauce that packs a punch. The Codfather doesn’t mess around. It’s bold, messy, and it works.
New Hampshire—Petey’s Summertime Seafood (Rye)
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Set by the shore with picnic tables and salt air, Petey’s knows what makes a great fish sandwich: haddock fried crisp, served hot, and stuffed in a buttered bun with lettuce and pickles. Add clam chowder on the side and a lemonade, and you’ve got summer on a plate—even in October.
New Jersey—The Chubby Pickle (Highlands)
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This is a rock-and-roll pub near the coast serving up a killer fried fish hoagie that hits all the right notes. It’s lightly breaded, perfectly flaky, and drenched in house-made aioli. Pair it with fries and local beer while the band plays.
New Mexico—Down N Dirty Seafood Boil (Albuquerque)
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This Gulf-style seafood joint doesn’t hold back, and neither does their fried catfish sandwich. Served spicy and crispy with pickles that snap, this fish sandwich has Southern heat and New Mexico soul. Add Cajun fries and grab extra napkins—it’s sloppy in the most glorious way.
New York—Seamore’s (New York City)
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Seamore’s fries up local fish into a sandwich that’s crunchy, zesty, and topped with apple slaw. It’s both trendy and satisfying. Even if you’re in SoHo or Midtown, this sandwich fits right in with your busy lunch break.
North Carolina—Saltbox Seafood Joint (Durham)
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Chef Ricky Moore serves seafood like it’s personal—and it is. His fried flounder sandwich is hot, flaky, and kissed with seasoning that makes each bite pop. It’s served on a potato roll with slaw and a squeeze of lemon. Get there early; they sell out fast.
North Dakota—Deep Blue Seafood (Fargo)
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In a land of snow and steak, Deep Blue’s crispy cod sandwich is a surprise star. It’s lightly battered and served on a toasted brioche with zingy tartar and crunchy lettuce. It’s proof that even in Fargo, you can find a bite of the sea worth bundling up for.
Ohio—Frank’s Fish And Seafood Market (Columbus)
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This market doesn’t mess around. Their sandwich is a crispy mountain of haddock on a soft bun, slathered in tangy tartar, and big enough to feed two. Everything’s made to order, and the portions are pure Midwest generous. Pair it with a side of mac and cheese and a nap shortly after.
Oklahoma—White River Fish Market (Tulsa)
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Since 1932, White River has been frying fish without excesses and with all the flavor. Their catfish hoagie is hot and crispy and served straight from the counter, cafeteria-style. It’s old-school, filling, and exactly what you want on a lunch break.
Oregon—Southpark Seafood (Portland)
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Southpark has Pacific cod fried to golden perfection and placed into a brioche roll with shaved fennel slaw. It’s a little fancy, a little coastal, and a lot delicious, perfect for seafood lovers who want their sandwich with a cocktail and a side of sustainability.
Pennsylvania—The Original Oyster House (Pittsburgh)
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The Original Oyster House has been slinging crispy cod sandwiches bigger than your face since 1870. Their fish is fried golden and laid across white bread with tangy tartar and a classic Pittsburgh punch. Grab a cold Iron City and savor some Steel City history.
Rhode Island—Iggy’s Boardwalk (Warwick)
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Ocean breeze, clam cakes on the side, and a fried haddock sandwich that locals crave year-round. At Iggy’s, you’ll find crispy fish, soft buns, and house tartar with zing. Sit by the water and watch the seagulls eye your plate.
South Carolina—Bowens Island Restaurant (Charleston)
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Bowens Island has fried fish magic fresh from the fryer–hot, flaky, and in a bun that soaks in all the right juices. It’s a low-key shack with million-dollar views and hush puppies worth fighting over. Eat it on the dock with a local brew and a pile of napkins.
South Dakota—The Breaks Coffee Roasting Co. (Sioux Falls)
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You wouldn’t expect to find a fried walleye sandwich at a coffee shop, but here we are. The Breaks serves local fish with crunchy breading and a swipe of aioli on crusty bread. It’s a Midwestern surprise between espresso machines—and somehow, it works.
Tennessee—Ed’s Fish House (Nashville)
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A true Nashville original, Ed’s serves up fried whiting to a perfect crunch and loads it onto white bread with mustard and onions. It’s Southern-style, decorated, and mouthwatering. Take a side of beans and a sweet tea, and you’ve got a Music City classic.
Texas—Pappadeaux’s (Houston)
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Pappadeaux’s doesn’t hold back in terms of portions and flavor. Their fried catfish po’ boy is crispy, spicy, and dripping with remoulade, lettuce, and tomatoes. It’s served with a side of fries and Southern swagger.
Utah—Freshie’s Lobster Co. (Salt Lake City)
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Though best known for lobster rolls, Freshie’s makes a fried fish sandwich that flies under the radar but deserves all the spotlight. It has crisp Atlantic haddock with buttery bun, fresh greens, and lemony aioli in every bite.
Vermont—Archie’s Grill (Shelburne)
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Archie’s has plenty of local charm, and their fried haddock sandwich is no exception. It’s piled high on a fluffy bun with house slaw and zesty tartar. The friendly staff, cozy booths, and hand-cut fries round it out.
Virginia—Captain Groovy’s Grill & Raw Bar (Norfolk)
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At Groovy’s, the fish is fresh, the batter is light, and the sandwich means business. Fried flounder gets the spotlight here, in a toasted bun with spicy mayo and a coastal backdrop. Order it with crabby fries and lean into the seaside vibe.
Washington—Seattle Fish Guys (Seattle)
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Seattle Fish Guys serves a fried sablefish sandwich that locals rave about. It’s rich, crispy, and layered with slaw on pillowy bread. Consider choosing this gem over the chain spots. Every bite tastes like it swam in this morning, and maybe it did.
West Virginia—The Market Vines Grill And Wine Bar (Wheeling)
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Don’t let the wine bar vibe fool you—this place fries up cod like they mean it. Their sandwich is thick, juicy, and balanced with pickled onions and house aioli on ciabatta. Add a glass of white and feel fancy while you devour it.
Wisconsin—St. Paul Fish Company (Milwaukee)
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Fried perch is the pride of Wisconsin Fridays, and St. Paul’s does it better than most. Light, flaky fillets are perfectly battered and laid on a soft roll with tangy tartar and crisp lettuce. The fish is straight from the Great Lakes.
Wyoming—King’s Corner Sandwich Shop (Cheyenne)
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This cozy Cheyenne gem fries up a flaky, golden, and surprisingly bold walleye sandwich. It feels straight-up gourmet in the best kind of lunch spot. Pair it with a local root beer and pretend you’re not already planning your return tomorrow.