Here’s what you should know about Ash Wednesday, Lent season
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the period of Lent. They’re two of the most important liturgical events for Christians and help prepare them for Easter.
This Wednesday, March 5, is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer observed ahead of Easter.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (April 18) are days of fasting, during which Catholics abstain from eating meat during the day’s one full meal, according to the website of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis. During the day, they can eat two smaller meals, which combined do not equal a full meal – but should not eat at other times of those days.
Most Catholics also give up something else they enjoy regularly, as part of the church’s practice of abstaining from luxuries during Lent, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Catholics are also asked not to eat meat on Fridays during Lent, but can eat seafood. So many restaurants have deals or special menu items during Lent. Here’s a roundup of offers; remember check with local businesses for deals, too.
Burger King’s Big Firey Fish Sandwich
Beginning Wednesday, Burger King brings back its Big Firey Fish Sandwich to the menu, available through April 20. The sandwich is made with a breaded white Alaskan Pollock filet with spicy glaze topped with sweet tartar sauce, lettuce, and crunchy pickles on a brioche bun. Members of the Royal Perks loyalty program can get one for $2 with the purchase of one at regular price.
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s Redhook Beer Battered Fish Sandwich
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, both owned by CKE Restaurant Holdings, are bringing back the Redhook Beer Battered Fish Sandwich to their menus during the Lent season. The sandwich, made with a Beer-Battered Pollock fillet, served on a bun with iceberg lettuce and Ken’s Tartar Sauce, with a side of sweet relish, cabbage, carrot pieces and spices to top it off.
The sandwich, sold individually or in a 2 for $7 combo, is available now through April 22 at Carl’s Jr. and March 5-April 29 at Hardee’s locations.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers’ Deluxe Crispy Fish Sandwich
The fast-food chain has brought back its Deluxe Crispy Fish Sandwich – a four-ounce battered flounder filet topped with American cheese, tartar sauce, lettuce and pickles on a toasted bun – for a limited time, through April 22.
Long John Silver’s Lent deals
For a limited time, Long John Silver’s has $6 shrimp baskets and a $10 shrimp sea-share entrée.
Here’s the breakdown on the $6 shrimp specials:
- Six-piece coconut butterfly shrimp: Comes with a choice of one side and two hushpuppies.
- Six-piece grilled shrimp: Seasoned, grilled, and served on rice with one side.
- Six-piece batter-dipped shrimp: Battered and served with choice of one side and two hushpuppies.
- Crispy breaded popcorn shrimp: Popcorn shrimp served with choice of one side and two hushpuppies.
The $10 Shrimp Sea-Shares special comes with a choice of 15 coconut butterfly shrimp, 15 grilled shrimp, 15 batter-dipped shrimp, or a shareable serving of breaded popcorn shrimp. Also available for a limited time: the Oreo Cookies & Cream Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory Bakery.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Lent deals
Beginning March 3, Popeyes is bringing back two limited-time specials during the Lent season:
- The Shrimp Tacklebox ($5.99): The combo comes with 8 breaded butterfly shrimp with a side dish and biscuit. A Surf ‘n’ Turf option lets you substitute 4 shrimp for 2 chicken tenders and dipping sauces.
- The Flounder Fish Sandwich ($5.99): An Alaska flounder filet marinated in herbs & spices, fried in a crunchy southern coating, and served with tartar sauce or Spicy Spread, pickles on a warm brioche bun.
Red Lobster’s Lobsterfest returns
The restaurant chain’s Lobsterfest, which kicked off Feb. 11, runs through Sunday, April 20. Among the 10 dishes are Rock Lobster Tail and new entrées including Garlic Butter-Poached Maine Lobster, Lobster Mac & Cheese and these other new menu items:
- Lobster & Shrimp Linguini: Maine and langostino lobster meat and shrimp tossed with fresh tomatoes and linguini in a creamy lobster sauce.
- Lobster Roll: Warm lobster meat in melted butter on a toasted sweet Hawaiian roll. Served with your choice of side.
- Lobster Pappardelle Pasta: Maine and langostino lobster meat tossed with pappardelle pasta, asparagus, and fresh tomatoes, in a garlic sauce.
- Lobster Bisque: Serving sizes of a cup or bowl.
- Create Your Own: Choose your own “perfect Lobsterfest feast” by selecting up to three lobster entrées.
Sonic’s menu adds Fish Sandwich for Lent
Available March 5 to April 17: Sonic’s Fish Sandwich, a wild caught Alaska pollock filet served with tartar sauce, chopped lettuce and crinkle-cut pickles on a brioche bun.
Subway: $6.99 footlong deal
Subway has a limited time $6.99 footlong deal for orders through the Subway app and website (1 per customer; use code 699FL). Lent options include the Tuna Sandwich and Veggie Delite.
Whataburger’s Whatacatch Sandwich and Platter on menu for limited time
Whataburger, the San Antonio-headquartered fast-food chain with more than 1,000 locations in 16 states, is bringing back its Whatacatch Sandwich and Platter for a limited time (March 4-21). The Whatacatch Sandwich is a wild-caught Alaskan pollock filet coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs, served on a bun with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce. The Whatacatch Platter has two filets served with fries and tartar sauce on the side (optional side of jalapeños). Prices vary by market.
White Castle adds Shrimp or Fish Nibblers to menu
White Castle has Panko Fish Sliders, made from wild Alaskan pollock all year round, but its seafood menu is expanding for a limited time. Shrimp Nibblers are available – in small, medium and sack sizes – through April 20 (or while supplies last; in all markets except Florida). Also available (except in Florida): Fish Nibblers made from wild Alaskan pollock.
More Lent-timed food specials and deals
- Alaskan Leader Seafoods: The producer’s Miso Black Cod products have begun arriving at Costco and Sprouts locations nationwide, and are on the menu at Pacific Catch restaurants.
- The Budlong Southern Chicken: The Chicagoland-based chain has a buy one, get one Fish Fry sandwich deal available on Ash Wednesday, every Friday in March and April, and during the last week of Lent (offer good in-store or online with code FISHFRY).
- Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken: The chain is again offering its Fish & Chips Combo – a 6-ounce serving, with potato wedges and tartar sauce. Take a photo of your meal using the QR code on the packaging or in the Lee’s Famous Rewards app and Lee’s will donate a meal to a local family in need.
- Taim Mediterranean Kitchen: Get O.G. Falafel Pitas for $9.99 every Friday in March (dine-in only).
Follow Mike Snider on Threads, Bluesky and X: mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider.
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