Review: Popeyes Spicy Cajun Flounder Sandwich

Bottom Line:  Popeyes Spicy Cajun Flounder Sandwich is a hefty fish sammy that delivers good taste with a kick of spice as well.

Popeyes has a new spicy sandwich on the menu and it is a variation of the Cajun Flounder sammy that they introduced last year. So I am taking a look back at that review and updating it for this year’s spicy addition.

This sandwich reels in a flounder filet that is dipped in breading full of Cajun-spiced seasonings and then sent for a quick swim in the deep-fryer. It is then put together with one of them fancy toasted brioche buns and crisp barrel-cured pickles (not just any pickles, mind you, barrel-cured pickles). And of course, the requisite tartar sauce is used to hold it all together, and this year they are kicking up the heat by adding the spicy sauce as an option.

Now I was brought up on Luby’s fried fish and McDonald’s Filet of Fish, so I’m of a mind that fish is supposed to be square in shape. First time I went fishing as a kid, I threw my catch back into the water because that fish wasn’t square! I’ve since learned that is not the natural shape of fish (but it should be) so I was willing to give this oblong, irregular-shaped piece of seafood from Popeyes a try.

And good thing I did, because this is a tasty fish sammy. The breading is seasoned very similarly to the Popeyes chicken selections, so those who eat there regularly will detect a familiar taste. It is somewhat crispy and there is a good ratio of fish to breading. The fish is light and flakey and mild in flavor, definitely good for a drive thru seafood selection. Of course, it’s not like getting a fresh catch at a fine seafood restaurant but it is not fishy tasting and certainly serves the purpose intended.

The overall structure is similar to Popeye’s chicken sandwiches with the filet, pickles, sauce, bun, and nothing more. The tartar sauce works well with the fish and my sandwich had just the right amount. (Tarter sauce or a spicy variant is a must with seafood, and personally, I prefer too much to too little. I can always scrap some off if they go too heavy.) Fast food joints make a big deal out of these fancy French brioche buns, and they are definitely good. But I don’t know that they quite live up to the hype (for really good buns, mosey on over to Golden Chick). The pickles deliver a good tang and offer a nice twist on the typical fish sandwich (though I didn’t taste any of the barrel they are touting).

As for the heat level, the regular version has a bit of a kick but does not deliver too much burn.  The heat is pretty much in line with their usual chicken, and the Cajun seasonings work well with the fish making this a very tasty sammy. The spicy sauce does amp up the burn to a higher level, getting it close to a Medium heat.  But if you prefer tarter sauce with your fish then just add a few drops of Tobasco and that will give you a spicy version as well.

This is a hefty sandwich and quite filling at 670 calories (it’s the same for the regular and the spicy version). It is definitely on the higher end of the calorie count for a fish sammies, so tread lightly with your sides (the mashed potatoes and gravy come in at only 110 calories) or order this by itself, otherwise you may have loosen that belt a notch or two! And if you are watching your sodium (this one packs in 1960mg), then what are you doing ordering from the drive thru? Get thee to a veganery!

Fish sandwiches are all the rage in the drive thru this time of year as an option to meat for those observing Lent. Fans of Popeye’s chicken sandwich will find this to be a good substitute because it has a very similar taste, with fish as the meat instead of the bird. But after Lent wraps up, seafood sales will plumet. So go and catch one of these now before they jump on the bus back to Limited-Time-Only-Ville.

Tale of the Tape:
Serving Size: 1 Sandwich
Calories: 670
Fat: 36g (9g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 25g
Carbs: 65g
Sodium: 1960mg