Popeyes Spicy Flounder Fish Sandwich Review

Popeyes may be famous for fried chicken, but the brand’s Spicy Flounder Fish Sandwich is certainly a fan favorite whenever it returns to the menu. It follows the same winning formula that made the chicken sandwich a hit: a crispy fried protein, a buttery brioche bun, pickles, and a bold sauce. But the difference is the star ingredient: the seafood. If you’re curious about what’s actually in it, how it tastes, and whether it’s worth ordering, here’s a full breakdown of my experience trying it for the first time.

What Is the Popeyes Spicy Flounder Fish Sandwich?

Think of this sandwich as Popeyes’ seafood version of its well-known chicken sandwich. Instead of chicken, though, you get a flounder filet that’s seasoned, breaded, and fried until golden and crunchy on the outside. It usually appears as a limited-time or seasonal item, especially during Lent, when seafood options become more popular. That limited availability is part of why fans get excited whenever it comes back.

The sandwich typically includes:

• A wild-caught flounder filet

• Louisiana-style seasoning

• Crispy fried coating

• Toasted buttery brioche bun

• Pickles

• Spicy mayo

Popeyes Spicy Flounder Fish Sandwich Review

The Spicy Flounder Fish Sandwich is pretty tasty, which was a surprise to me. It delivers a balance of crispy breading exterior and soft, buttery brioche bread that makes it feel more satisfying than a typical fast-food fish option. The first thing you notice is the crunchy golden coating on the fish, which adds a crisp bite and a lightly seasoned flavor without overpowering the seafood itself. Then, of course, there's the punchiness from the spicy sauce. 

Once you get past the breading, the flounder is soft, flaky, and tender, almost pulling apart in layers as you bite into it. The fish has a mild, clean taste that avoids the overly “fishy” flavor some people worry about, making it approachable even for casual seafood eaters. But don't get it twisted: it's still seafood. It doesn't taste or feel like chicken, or anything like that. 

The brioche bun adds a noticeable contrast. It’s soft, slightly sweet, and buttery, which helps mellow out the savory fried coating and keeps the sandwich feeling balanced instead of heavy. I really enjoyed the taste as well as the pillow texture. 

The pickles bring a pop of acidity and crunch that cuts through the richness, adding brightness to each bite. Overall, the flavor leans comforting with that touch of heat from the sauce, which is needed in my opinion. The combination of crispy exterior, flaky fish, and pillowy bun makes the sandwich easy to eat and satisfying. 

That said, you have to eat it fresh, straight from Popeyes, while the coating is still hot and crunchy. It isn't nearly as tasty if you wait around. I tried some reheated the next day, and while (shockingly) not horrible, it's simply not as good.

What’s the Spicy Flounder Fish Sandwich Made Of?

Let’s break down the layers so you know exactly what you’re biting into.

The Fish

The sandwich uses flounder, a mild white fish known for being light and flaky. If you’re someone who doesn’t love strong fish flavors, that’s good news. Flounder has a gentle taste, so it doesn’t feel overpowering or overly “seafoody.”

Because Popeyes uses a whole filet instead of a processed fish patty, the texture feels more natural and substantial. You’ll notice slight variations in shape and thickness, which makes it feel closer to something you’d get at a casual seafood spot rather than a standard fast-food sandwich.

Classic Flounder Fish Sandwich Calories and Nutritional Information

Calories: 681.4 kcal

Fat: 35.4 grams

Saturated Fat: 8.6 grams

Trans Fat: 0.8 grams

Cholesterol: 78.5 mg

Sodium: 2,385.9 mg

Carbohydrates: 65.7 grams

Fiber: 2.9 grams

Sugar: 8.1 grams

Proteins: 25.6 grams

How Much Does the Fish Sandwich Cost?

Based on my location in San Diego, the à la carte sandwich is $5.99, while the regular combo (which comes with the sandwich, one regular side, and one regular drink) is $9.99, and then the large combo comes with two regular sides, one drink, and the spicy flounder fish sandwich costs $11.99. Prices may vary.

Ingredients

Brioche Bun
Enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), malted barley flour, water, sugar, yeast, contains less than 2% of coloring (corn flour, soybean oil, spices turmeric and paprika), mono/diglycerides, natural flavor, dough conditioner (wheat gluten, malted wheat flour, deactivated yeast), enzymes (wheat flour, enzymes), glaze (water, vegetable oil, vegetable proteins, dextrose, maltodextrins, starch), cultured wheat flour, natural butter flavor, potato flour, salt, soybean oil.