Filet-O-Fish

The Filet-O-Fish is a classic fast-food sandwich featuring a breaded, fried fish patty, a slice of processed cheese, and tartar sauce, all served on a soft steamed bun. It was created in 1962 by a McDonald's franchise owner in Cincinnati, Ohio, to appeal to customers who didn't eat meat on Fridays, and it quickly became a permanent menu item across the chain.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

The sandwich is a moderate source of protein from the fish but is relatively high in fat and sodium, with a calorie count typically ranging from 380 to 450 calories per serving. It provides some calcium from the cheese and a small amount of omega-3 fatty acids from the fish, though the breading and frying process adds significant fat.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	380 kcal
Protein	16 g
Carbs	38 g
Fat	18 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	5 g
Sodium	560 mg
Calcium	150 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Potassium	200 mg
Vitamin A	100 IU
Vitamin C	2 mg
Vitamin D	1.5 mcg
Vitamin B12	1.2 mcg
Phosphorus	180 mg

Per 1 sandwich (168 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, the Filet-O-Fish is one of the few fast-food items that originated specifically to cater to religious dietary practices, particularly Catholic traditions of abstaining from meat on Fridays. Nutritionally, it's notable for being a rare fast-food option that uses fish as its primary protein, offering a different nutritional profile than the typical beef or chicken sandwiches.