When individuals in the UK order fish and chips, it’s customary to receive a serving of cod or haddock. However, there has been a shared sense of dismay among Brits after witnessing what an American was served when ordering the iconic dish in the United States.
In a TikTok video, user Kalani Ghost Hunter highlighted the disparity between fish and chips in the UK versus the US, expressing uncertainty about a chain’s plans to enter the UK market. He mentioned, “In the USA, we lack traditional fish and chips shops, but we have a chain called Captain D’s. Although I haven’t dined here in 15 years, today we’re exploring Captain D’s to taste their fish and chips and compare it to the UK version.”
The video shows him ordering fish and chips with tartar sauce at a drive-thru, accompanied by shrimp, chips, and coleslaw.
Upon reviewing the meal, he remarked, “The fish pieces are quite thin. Given our landlocked location, this fish was previously frozen. The fries are noticeably thin, not like the chunky chips in the UK. Also, these hush puppies – a cornbread fried delicacy – are unfamiliar to me.”
He provided a price comparison, estimating that the meal would have cost £6.77 in the UK, emphasizing that while it was affordable, the fish portions were smaller compared to what he expected.
However, upon tasting the fish, his disappointment was evident as he returned it to the container, stating, “This isn’t cod; it tastes like catfish.” He elaborated, “I’m not a fan of catfish as it has an earthy flavor since catfish are bottom feeders. It might be locally sourced since Tennessee has an abundance of catfish. The batter is acceptable, but overall, I’d rate it a four out of ten.”
Commenting on his post, one user expressed distaste, questioning the presence of catfish and advocating for traditional cod and chips with mushy peas. Another user shared a regretful experience with fish and chips in Orlando, suspecting it was catfish. A third user clarified that frozen cod and haddock are common in the UK but still of high quality.
Lastly, users discussed various fish types, with one person mentioning a shop in Myrtle Beach solely offering chips with salt and vinegar. Another user compared cod and catfish, highlighting the preference for cod due to its taste.
Despite the skepticism towards catfish, it is a safe and popular choice in many southern US states, typically fried and served in different styles.
Captain D’s menu features a variety of fish options, including hand-breaded catfish, batter-dipped fish with hush puppies, a spicy variant, and southern-style white fish.