The Seafood Chain That's Actually Good, Despite All The Hate

I have long maintained that America needs to develop its own love for fish and chips. Who could get mad at battered and fried fish along with a hefty basket of french fries? Unfortunately, it seems like I'm in the minority because there really aren't that many seafood-based fast food chains out in the wild; seafood chain Captain D's isn't available by me in Chicago and Red Lobster is struggling (and expensive). But there is one seafood chain that gets a fair amount of maligning that I don't think it deserves: Long John Silver's.

Long John Silver's is about as close to a fish and chips chain as you can get in the United States, serving up fried fish, shrimp, chicken, and other specialties (but you really go for its seafood). The chain's size has dwindled over the years, having nearly halved its locations from 2019 until now. Despite this, I'm all in for Long John Silver's. While there aren't many left, there happens to be one location in Chicago, an unusual combination of Taco Bell and Long John Silver's (it appears to be an independently run franchise) which serves just the basic items along with a few sides. Honestly? That's all you need.

I'm going to come right out and say it. Long John Silver's food is good, and so much better than you'd think given the general online disdain for it. In fact, I just went to re-confirm that it's good (I visited a few years ago) and the fish is as crisp, salty, and satisfying as it's ever been. It can withstand as much malt vinegar as you can douse it with, and it even comes with little crunchy bits of batter just to snack on. Long John Silver's serves wild-caught Alaskan pollock, which is commonly used in fast food sandwiches, and thankfully it's also considered a sustainable food source.

I will concede that just like any other fried food, it's well ... fried. That means it is oily, and a smaller portion is generally the smarter one. The shrimp comes in the same batter and so does the chicken, but I'd skip the chicken (it's a little weird in that fish batter). Even the waffle fries are perfectly-cooked, and there's hushpuppies that aren't too sweet for you carb fiends. Plus, it still delivers on that convenient fast food promise where the food comes out quickly. All these are reasons why Long John Silver's rules, and if you're a no-reason hater you're only missing out.