# Why did the fish fast food chains close? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [March 8, 2023, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860 "2023-03-08T07:56:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Tabco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tabco/32/7644_2.png) [@Tabco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabco)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/61 "2023-03-09T02:13:11Z")
I’m not sure I’ve ever set foot in a fish fast food restaurant. There was a Skippers in Medford, OR many years ago. It was in a decent location for a fast food joint. Alas, it shut down, got demolished, and replaced with a very small commercial plaza that houses a few businesses now. Whenever I think of fish fast food restaurants, and Skippers in particular, I’m always reminded of the time a cult poisoned the food at one in the 1980s. > **[1984 Rajneeshee bioterror attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_Rajneeshee_bioterror_attack)** > > In 1984, 751 people suffered food poisoning in The Dalles, Oregon, United States, due to the deliberate contamination of salad bars at ten local restaurants with Salmonella. A group of prominent followers of Rajneesh (later known as Osho) led by Ma Anand Sheela had hoped to incapacitate the voting population of the city so that their own candidates would win the 1984 Wasco County elections. The incident was the first and is still the single largest bioterrorist attack in U.S. history. > Rajnees... ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/62 "2023-03-09T02:57:55Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Cheese and fish - not part of God’s plan. I recently had some salmon patties that had gorgonzola cheese and cranberries mixed in. They were great. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/63 "2023-03-09T03:00:40Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Fish and chips are so popular here that the local paper is having a March Madness-style contest with 32 restaurants, chosen from 181 nominations. Captain Jim’s lost in the first round? It’s the best seafood restaurant in the city. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/64 "2023-03-09T03:10:53Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Yeah, my wife wont eat tilapia, either. She saw some show about zoos where tilapia are used to keep the hippo pool clean. Put another way, tilapia eats nasty aquatic waste and scum, that would otherwise pollute waterways, and turns it into healthy, yummy protein. Sounds pretty good to me. There are two Captain D’s near me, FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/65 "2023-03-09T03:12:11Z")
Alright, alright! I will concede there are some fish and cheese combos that are good. I’ll stand down on that. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/66 "2023-03-09T03:21:14Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Let’s hope she never finds out how much chicken and cow manure is consumed by potatoes and other vegetables while growing. NEVER let her look up “biosolids” that are used as fertilizer then. I think it was price that caused the fast-food fish restaurant to go away; plenty of places still have fish and chips on the menu, and there was one near me ([Fish and Fizz](https://www.fishandfizz.com/home)) that was doing fantastic business and getting great reviews- in many top fish & chips in the US lists, but had a lease dispute and is having to close and reopen somewhere else. But a meal for one at Fish and Fizz was something in the $20 ballpark (probably more like $15-25 depending on whether you got one or two pieces of fish, and whether you got a soft drink or a British ale. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/67 "2023-03-09T03:31:51Z")
There is a small, regional '50s-themed burger chain that I stop at on the way home from visiting mom – the place is some 70 miles from home. I get their F&C and do eat it in the car, but it is on less-traveled two-lane back roads, so, not really a problem. Probably the main reason I stop there is because the F in the F&C is _fucking **halibut** _. Pricey, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/68 "2023-03-09T03:48:24Z")
I’m stunned too. Of course newspaper contests are easily gamed so they don’t mean much, but Captain Jim’s is the most famous fish place in the county. I haven’t had fried fish since my bypass so I’m in no position to rank restaurants. Maybe the rest of the world was inspired to catch up and pass them. Maybe the D&C rigged the contest to gin up publicity by such a big upset. Never would have guessed this. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/69 "2023-03-09T03:49:07Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Probably the main reason I stop there is because the F in the F&C is _fucking **halibut** _. Pricey, of course. So, you go there just for the halibut? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/70 "2023-03-09T03:54:13Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > I’m stunned too. Of course newspaper contests are easily gamed so they don’t mean much, but Captain Jim’s is the most famous fish place in the county. > > I haven’t had fried fish since my bypass so I’m in no position to rank restaurants. Maybe the rest of the world was inspired to catch up and pass them. Maybe the D&C rigged the contest to gin up publicity by such a big upset. Never would have guessed this. The last time I went to Captain Jim’s they were only doing take-out orders. Maybe closing down the dining area has hurt their business. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/71 "2023-03-09T03:56:37Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > So, you go there just for the halibut? _I didn’t like the others, they were all too flat_. The only finned food I have had that was better than halibut was a lovely swordfish steak at an expensive place in Vancouver (no, the _other_ Vancouver). ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/72 "2023-03-09T04:18:09Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Alright, alright! I will concede there are some fish and cheese combos that are good. I’ll stand down on that. I’m sorry, but that’s not good enough. In order to receive full SDMB repentance you must anoint yourself with hot, melted American cheese and roll yourself in fish scales and breadcrumbs every day, for the rest of your life. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/73 "2023-03-09T04:22:03Z")
All this talk of fish sandwiches makes me want to head to the best fast food in the Upper Midwest: Culver’s. Although they have fish items on the menu year-round, they really promote them during Lent. Besides the typical shrimp baskets, they actually have cod on the menu. And something that Minnesotans love: walleye! (I love the warning in small print: may contain bones.) Too bad they’re closed at this time of night, or I would have gone right now! > **[Seafood Sandwiches & Dinners | Culver’s®](https://www.culvers.com/menu-and-nutrition/seafood-sandwiches-dinners)** ---
**Author:** ![pirviii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pirviii/32/3233_2.png) [@pirviii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pirviii)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/74 "2023-03-09T04:34:13Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > I don’t think anyone’s mentioned Captain D’s yet. Capt D’s is the same as Long John Silvers, even the commercials are the same with the name changed. I haven’t been to the one close by in nearly 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/75 "2023-03-09T04:34:20Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > There are two Captain D’s near me, FWIW I miss captain d;s I haven’t had them since the one I lived near closed in the late 80s ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/76 "2023-03-09T04:37:21Z")
I was gonna say the same. I don’t think I’ve ever been served a fish taco with cheese. I won’t dismiss it out of hand – just nothing I’m familiar with. I can’t see a fish taco being improved with any kind of cheese, even cotija. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/77 "2023-03-09T04:41:21Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > “Fishy” doesn’t refer to the flavor of fresh fish. Fish ages a lot more poorly than mammal meat, and when people refer to “fishy flavor”, they mean the flavor of fish that’s starting to go bad. I don’t think that is entirely accurate. At least, not in context. The oilier the fish, the “fishier” it will taste. A perfectly fresh caught anchovy is still going to taste at least a little fishy, especially in comparison to a fresh caught rainbow trout. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/78 "2023-03-09T04:41:46Z")
> [@pirviii](#): > > Capt D’s is the same as Long John Silvers, even the commercials are the same with the name changed. Just to be clear: they may have similar menus and ads, but they aren’t actually different brands with the same items, operated by the same company (as Carl’s Jr. / Hardees are). As far as I can tell, Captain D’s and Long John Silver aren’t actually connected in any way, nor were they ever in the past. ---
**Author:** ![pirviii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pirviii/32/3233_2.png) [@pirviii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pirviii)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/79 "2023-03-09T04:48:48Z")
The close by Capt D’s has always looked exactly like and the menu was nearly the same and it had the exact same commercials with just a name change, I thought they were the same or at least once the same. When I moved here 25+ years ago it was Hardees on the corner, but it’s been Carl’s for years. We also have both Helmans and Best Foods mayo, and they are the same. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860/80 "2023-03-09T04:59:01Z")
LJS is a guilty pleasure. Fortunately, the closest one is far enough away that I don’t go there unless I need something else in the area. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-fish-fast-food-chains-close/980860.md?page=5)