Popeyes Spicy Flounder Sandwich

Today, we are reviewing the Popeyes Spicy Flounder Sandwich, a limited-edition fish sandwich available during the Lenten season. This is the latest in a series of fish sandwich reviews we are doing. During Lent, many Roman Catholics and some other Christians refrain from eating meat on Fridays throughout this period. This has led numerous restaurants to offer more meatless options during Lent, particularly various fish sandwiches, including those from Popeyes.

The official name for Popeyes is Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen by Alvin Copeland. It was founded in Arabi, Louisiana, as Chicken on the Run. Today, it is headquartered in Miami and has over 3,700 stores. When it was renamed to Popeyes, Copeland said it was named in honor of Gene Hackman’s Popeye Doyle character in The French Connection and not the Popeye cartoon. Eventually, the chain sponsored the Popeye & Pals show in New Orleans, ultimately leading to a 35-year licensing deal with King Features Syndicate (which owned the rights to the Popeye Character). That agreement ended in 2012.

The Construction

Cajun Spiced Battered Fried Flounder
Butter Toasted Brioche Bun
Pickle
Spicy Sauce
Length: 5 inches
Weight: 9 ounces
Sandwiches Eaten: 2
Location: Indian Trail, NC
Price: $5.99

The Experience

For this assessment, the scoring was similar to what we did with the Arby’s Fish Sandwich Deluxe.

Fish: 4 points
Bun: 2 points
Condiments: 2 points
Intangibles: 2 points

Fish

The flounder used in the Spicy Flounder Sandwich was quite enjoyable. It had a pleasant, natural fish flavor that wasn’t overpowering, including a hint of natural saltiness that I appreciate. The fish is seasoned with “Louisiana Spices,” which lean toward cayenne pepper. From what I understand, the fillet is marinated in these spices and incorporated into the breading. While it doesn’t pack an overwhelming punch of heat, there is a noticeable spicy component. Although it doesn’t have the traditional taste of a fish fry, the fish is still quite good.

Score: 2.75 out of 4.0 points

Bun

The bun used on the Spicy Flounder Sandwich is a Brioche bun. The inside of the bun has a pillowy texture, and there is a slightly browned exterior. It’s also lightly toasted and buttered. Brioche buns are not my favorite type of bun. However, the butter and toasting help here.

Score: 1.00 out of 2.0 points

Condiments

There are two condiments featured on the Spicy Flounder Sandwich. The first is a spicy mayonnaise sauce, which is generously spread on the inside of both the top and bottom buns. While I typically don’t enjoy mayonnaise, I can occasionally tolerate it. In this instance, the Louisiana seasonings—likely including cayenne pepper—add a desirable kick and prevent it from having a strong “mayonnaise-like” flavor.

While the Spicy Flounder Sandwich does not use tartar sauce, sliced pickles picked up the slack. Popeyes says the pickles are barrel-cured. The pickle added a decent dill component, and it worked quite well here.

Score: 1.25 out of 2.0 points

Intangibles

Everything seems to come together with the Spicy Flounder sandwich. The fish and condiments are tasty, and while the bun is average, it all works well together. As I’ve said many times, one intangible I look for is whether or not the sandwich experience is greater than the sum of the parts. In this case, Popeyes’ sandwich does provide that elevated experience.

One of the nice aspects of this sandwich is that it was not messy at all. It stayed intact and showed no signs of falling apart. The balance of the condiments, which included pickles and spicy sauce, complemented the generously sized fish fillet perfectly. Most importantly, this is a sandwich that will satisfy your hunger.

Score: 1.50 out of 2.0 points

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

During this Lenten season, I’ve sampled a variety of fish sandwiches, and I’ve found that many of them have room for improvement. One consistent observation is that simply placing a fish filet on a sandwich doesn’t always create an elevated or satisfying experience. However, I was pleasantly surprised by Popeyes Spicy Flounder sandwich, which stands out as one of the better options. Its enjoyable flavors suggest that there is potential for fish sandwiches to be more exciting and satisfying overall.

One final note that didn’t play into the score. I’ve found that Popeyes’ fish options are cooked to order. You will have some wait time. It’s not just limited to the Spicy Flounder Sandwich, the classic Flounder Sandwich, and the shrimp offerings. I’m okay with that, but I wish they would specify that upfront.