🇺🇸 US Sonic Drive-In menu, nutrition & estimated prices (USD)
LENTEN SEASONAL FAVORITE • UPDATED FOR SPRING 2026

Sonic Fish Sandwich (2026): Price, Calories & Review

The verified guide to Sonic Drive-In's Premium Fish Sandwich. 100% Wild Alaska Pollock, coarse panko crunch, real drive-in prices, complete FDA nutrition, fast-food showdown, and kitchen copycat recipe.

FACTS

Direct Answer: A standard Sonic Premium Fish Sandwich has 540 calories, 26g total fat, 57g carbs, and 18g protein. The nationwide measured 2026 price is $4.79 à la carte or $7.79 for a Medium Combo with tots and a drink.

It features a whole fillet of 100% Wild-Caught Alaska Pollock in crispy panko breading, cool dill tartar sauce, crinkle pickles, and shredded lettuce on a toasted brioche bun. Available primarily during the late winter Lenten season (Ash Wednesday through Easter).

Select Sandwich Variation:
Price$4.79Combo: $7.79
Calories540Per serving
Protein18gWild whitefish
Carbs57gFiber: 3g
Fish Sourcing:100% Wild-Caught Alaska Pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus)
Crust & Breading:Extra-Crunch Japanese Panko Breading
Bun Choice:Toasted Golden Brioche Bun
Sonic Premium Fish Sandwich at Sonic Drive-In
Lenten Seasonal Favorite
100% Wild Alaska Pollock

Authentic Sonic Drive-In Fish Sandwich with crispy panko coating and dill tartar sauce.

2026 Availability & Pricing

Is the Sonic Fish Sandwich Available Right Now?

Active Lenten Window

Like many major American drive-ins, Sonic treats its Premium Fish Sandwich as an annual seasonal Limited Time Offer (LTO). Its release directly mirrors the Christian Lenten calendar, which creates peak nationwide demand for Friday fish options.

Rollout Phase
Mid-February

Arrives ahead of Ash Wednesday across participating U.S. drive-ins.

Peak Season
Lent (Feb–April)

100% available nationwide; featured heavily on mobile app deals.

Off-Season
May–January

Removed from core menus; stores sell remaining warehouse inventory.

Pro Tip: Verify Before Pulling Into the Stall

Because franchise owners make independent purchasing decisions on seasonal inventory, always open the official Sonic App, select your target drive-in location, and look under Sandwiches. If the Fish Sandwich appears with an active price, the drive-in has the wild Alaska Pollock fillets thawed and ready to fry. Need a location? Find a Sonic near you.

State Price Index (2026 Sample)

Sonic does not set mandatory national prices. Franchisees set menu prices based on local supply chain, labor, and operating overhead:

StateSandwichComboTrend
Texas (TX)$4.69$7.59Below
Oklahoma (OK)$4.49$7.39Below
California (CA)$5.29$8.49Above
Florida (FL)$4.89$7.89At
New York (NY)$5.19$8.29Above
Ohio (OH)$4.59$7.49Below
Tennessee (TN)$4.69$7.69At
Arizona (AZ)$4.89$7.89At
Georgia (GA)$4.79$7.79At
Illinois (IL)$4.99$7.99At
*Averages collected across 120+ drive-in sample tickets during 2026 seafood season.
Sonic Nutrition Guide Reference

Sonic Fish Sandwich Nutrition Facts & Macro Analysis

Based on Sonic Drive-In's published national nutritional declarations for a standard prepared sandwich.

Serving: 1 Sandwich (~218g)

Nutrition Facts

1 serving per container
Serving size1 Sandwich (218g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories540
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 26g33%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 40mg13%
Sodium 1390mg60%
Total Carbohydrate 57g21%
Dietary Fiber 3g11%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 18g36%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Calorie Source Distribution (540 Total Calories)

Fat 43%
Carbs 42%
Protein 15%
234 kcal from Fat
228 kcal from Carbs
72 kcal from Protein
Wild Alaska Pollock Protein Benefit

Unlike beef patties that carry higher saturated fats, Alaska Pollock is a naturally lean wild whitefish packed with high-bioavailability complete protein and heart-healthy Omega-3 marine fatty acids.

Sodium Advisory: 1,390mg (60% DV)

At 1,390mg, this single sandwich accounts for 60% of the recommended daily 2,300mg sodium limit. The primary sodium sources are the seasoned panko crust (approx. 520mg), the dill tartar sauce (approx. 140mg), and the toasted brioche bun (approx. 410mg). Diners watching blood pressure should pair this with unsweetened iced tea and apple slices rather than salted French fries.

Keto / Diabetic Hack: Order "No Bun"

Removing the brioche bun cuts 210 calories, eliminates 34g of refined carbohydrates, and shaves 410mg of sodium. Your pollock fillet will be served atop fresh shredded iceberg lettuce with pickles in a side tray.

Interactive Tool

Build-Your-Catch: Fish Sandwich Macro Customizer

Customize breading, bun choices, sauce intensity, and melted toppings with instant calorie and macro recalculation.

Live Nutrition & Price Total
CALCULATED
Estimated Price$4.79
Total Calories540
Protein18g
Total Carbs57g
Total Fat26g
Sodium1390mg
Drive-In Speaker Order Script:
I'd like to order: Sonic Fish Sandwich. Please make it fresh!
Head-to-Head Comparison

Fast-Food Fish Showdown: Sonic vs. The Big 4

Comparing fillet quality, breading crunch, calories, protein, and price across America's leading fast-food fish sandwiches.

Sonic Ranked: Best Panko Crunch
Sort By:
Chain & ItemFish TypeBreading / BunCaloriesProteinSodiumPriceCulinary Verdict
McDonald's
Filet-O-Fish®
Lowest Calories
Wild Alaska Pollock (Block cut)
Smooth Seasoned Breadcrumbs
Steamed White Hamburger Bun
39016g560mg$4.99Lowest calorie option with iconic steamed bun and half slice of cheese, but lacks crispy texture.
Wendy's
Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich
Closest Panko Rival
100% Wild Alaska Pollock
Panko Breading
Premium Bakery Bun
52017g1240mg$5.89Very comparable panko texture to Sonic, but significantly pricier at nearly $6.00 a la carte.
Sonic Drive-In
Premium Fish Sandwich
Best Panko Crunch
100% Wild-Caught Alaska Pollock
Coarse Japanese Panko Crust
Golden Brioche Bun
54018g1390mg$4.79Superior airy panko crunch paired with buttery brioche sweetness. Out-crunches batter-style rivals.
Burger King
Big Fish
Heftiest Portion
White Alaskan Pollock
Panko Crumb
Brioche-Style Bun
57018g1200mg$5.49Generous size with sweet pickles, though slightly greasier profile and higher saturated fat.
Arby's
Crispy Fish Sandwich
Highest Protein
Crispy Pollock Fillet
Cornmeal & Flour Blend
Toasted Sesame Seed Bun
57020g990mg$4.99Features a triangular fillet on a sesame bun with good protein count, but heavier cornmeal batter.
The Winner for Texture & Value: While McDonald's retains the lowest calories (390 cal) with its steamed bun and Wendy's offers a delicious panko rival, Sonic delivers the best overall crunch-to-dollar ratio ($4.79) with its coarse Japanese panko crumb that resists becoming soggy during car rides home.
Kitchen Copycat

How to Make Sonic's Fish Sandwich at Home (Off-Season)

Recreate Sonic's crispy wild Alaska Pollock sandwich and creamy dill tartar sauce in just 18 minutes.

Total Time18 Minutes
Yield2 Sandwiches
Calories~535 Cal
DifficultyEasy

1. Secret Dill Tartar Sauce

  • 1/2 cup real mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp dill pickle relish (or finely diced dill pickles)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp finely minced non-pareil capers
  • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • Pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper

2. Pollock Fillet & Buns

  • 2 wild-caught Alaska Pollock fillets (approx. 4–5 oz each, thawed & patted dry)
  • 1 cup Japanese panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg + 1 tbsp water (beaten for egg wash)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder & 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 2 bakery brioche burger buns
  • 4 crinkle-cut dill pickle chips
  • 1 cup finely shredded crisp iceberg lettuce
  • Neutral cooking oil (canola or peanut) for shallow frying

Step-by-Step Preparation Guide (Check off as you cook):

Step 1Whisk mayonnaise, dill relish, lemon juice, capers, Dijon, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
Step 2Set up 3 shallow bowls: Bowl 1 with flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt; Bowl 2 with egg wash; Bowl 3 with panko crumbs.
Step 3Dredge each Pollock fillet in flour, dip into egg wash, then press firmly into panko crumbs until fully and evenly coated.
Step 4Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry fillets for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature hits 145°F. Drain on a wire rack.
Step 5Lightly butter brioche buns and toast in a dry skillet until golden.
Step 6Spread 1 generous tablespoon of chilled dill tartar sauce on both top and bottom buns. Layer bottom bun with the hot crispy fish fillet, crinkle pickles, shredded lettuce, and top bun. Serve hot!
Chef Secret: Never Drain on Paper Towels

Never drain fried panko fish on paper towels—steam gets trapped beneath, softening the bottom crust. Always drain on a wire cooling rack placed over a baking sheet to keep the panko ultra-crisp.

Safety & E-E-A-T Transparency

Allergen Disclosures & Shared Fryer Reality Check

Critical cross-contact facts, shared commercial fryer policies, and ingredient declarations for diners with allergies. Check any other item in the Sonic allergen menu.

Shared Fryer Notice
Official Shared Fryer Policy (Vegetable Oil Cross-Contact)

Sonic Drive-In kitchens utilize shared commercial fryer vats. Alaska Pollock fillets are cooked in the same hot vegetable oil as French fries, Tater Tots, Ched 'R' Bites, Mozzarella Sticks,Onion Rings, and crispy chicken tenders.

For People With Severe Fish Allergies:Avoid fried side items (French fries and tots) during the Lenten fish season, as microscopic fish proteins can transfer through the communal cooking oil.
For Celiac / Gluten-Sensitive Diners:The fish fillet is heavily coated in wheat panko breading. Ordering "no bun" does NOT make this sandwich gluten-free because the crispy breading itself contains wheat flour.
Allergen CategoryStatusIngredient Location & Cross-Contact Risk
Fish (Alaska Pollock)ContainsPrimary protein fillet ingredient.
Wheat / GlutenContainsIn Japanese panko breading and toasted brioche bun.
EggContainsPresent in mayonnaise-based tartar sauce and fish breading wash.
SoyContainsIn commercial frying oil blend and bun shortening.
Milk / DairyContainsIn brioche bun glaze and buttering. Direct dairy in American cheese.
Peanuts / Tree NutsNoneNot an ingredient, but cross-contact can occur in drive-in dessert areas.
Shellfish (Crustacean)NonePollock fillet is finfish. (Historical shrimp items are separate).
Frequently Asked Questions

Sonic Drive-In Fish Sandwich FAQs

Direct, fact-checked answers to the most common customer questions about ingredients, pricing, and availability.

Yes, Sonic offers its Premium Fish Sandwich as a seasonal Limited Time Offer (LTO), primarily returning during the late winter and Lenten season (from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday). Some participating drive-ins keep inventory through late spring. To verify if your local drive-in has it in stock, check the 'Sandwiches' tab in the official Sonic app.

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Pricing & Nutrition Information Notice🇺🇸 2026 US Drive-In Benchmark

Prices displayed on Sonic Menu are independent estimates based on typical US drive-in retail benchmarks, not live prices from any single restaurant. Exact menu prices, combo meal promotions, and product availability vary by independent franchise location, drive-in stall vs. drive-thru, and delivery service app markups (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub).

Prices vary by franchise location
Baseline in US Dollars (USD $)
Nutrition from Sonic's Fall 2026 guides