While pollock has become increasingly common in fast-food and sit-down establishments, the sweet flakiness of wild-caught cod remains unmatched. When paired with a creamy, tangy tartar sauce, this fish offers an inimitable flavor and texture experience.

The Quest for Perfect Battered Cod and Tartar Sauce

Historically, cod and haddock dominated white fish menus for classics like fish & chips. Today, many establishments are shifting to pollock, but this list highlights seven chains that continue to honor the superior taste of battered cod.

Ye Olde King's Head: Traditional British Fare

Ye Olde King's Head features Fish & Chips made with crispy, beer-battered cod and served alongside tartar sauce. Diners have the option to select original batter instead of beer batter and choose between Queen or King size portions.

This restaurant also offers other British staples, including Bangers + Mash and Steak, Guinness + Mushroom Pie, ensuring a comprehensive traditional menu.

Culver's: Hand-Battered Excellence

Culver's is celebrated for its high-quality cod offerings, notably the North Atlantic Cod Dinner. This meal consists of hand-cut, hand-battered cod fried fresh to order, accompanied by a proprietary tartar sauce, two classic sides, and a warm dinner roll.

For a quicker option, the North Atlantic Cod Sandwich is highly popular, featuring a battered cod filet topped with tartar sauce served on a lightly-toasted roll.

Bonefish Grill: Classic Pairings

At Bonefish Grill, the Fish & Chips plate includes crispy cod served with french fries and coleslaw, all accompanied by tartar sauce. Seafood enthusiasts can also explore the Cod Imperial.

The Cod Imperial is a rich alternative, made with shrimp, scallops, parmesan, mozzarella, lemon-caper butter, served alongside jasmine rice and asparagus.

O'Charley's: Generous Portions

O'Charley's serves a substantial Fish & Chips plate featuring hand-battered cod and fries, always served with tartar sauce. Seafood aficionados might also enjoy their Hand-Breaded Catfish Dinner.

The catfish option is prepared with cornmeal-breaded Mississippi farm-raised catfish and comes with fries and coleslaw.

McCormick & Schmick's: The Craft Beer Standard

The Craft Beer Battered Fish & Chips at McCormick & Schmick's is presented as a hearty, delicious meal designed to please crowds. It includes Beer Battered Cod, House Made Tartar, Coleslaw, and Seasoned Fries.

One diner praised their experience, noting, "The Fish and Chips plate consisted of three plump pieces of Alaskan Cod on top of a bed of thin fries." They added, "There is no better choice for fish and chips than Alaskan cod. Each piece was covered in a perfect, crisp coating."

Bob Evans: The Great Alaskan Cod

Bob Evans offers the Great Alaskan Cod plate, which features a "colossal" hand-cut Alaskan cod fillet. This dish is served with tartar sauce, selected sides, and dinner rolls.

The chain emphasizes its daily seafood specials, stating, "If you're looking for a more traditional fish fish and chips, our Great Alaskan Cod is lightly battered with a flaky, pub-style batter and served with a side of tartar sauce and French Fries."

Perkins American Food Co.: Variety on the Menu

Perkins American Food Co.'s Fish 'N Chips plate consists of three crispy cod fillets served with tartar sauce, fries, and a fresh garden salad. They also provide a non-fried alternative that appeals to many.

The Grilled Fish & Shrimp plate is another option, featuring a garlic-seasoned white fish fillet topped with grilled shrimp and drizzled with garlic butter, served over herb rice pilaf with grilled asparagus.