Chances are if you grew up Filipino and Catholic, then you’re familiar with the concept of Meatless Fridays — that time during Lent when lunch and dinner tables are filled with fish as Catholics are supposed to abstain from meat during Friday.
And while we love our munggo (mung bean soup) and pritong isda (fried fish) as much as the next Pinoy, it can get tiring to have it week after week. This also meant generations of Filipino children had to bear with sad lunches and dinners as their non-Catholic friends happily enjoyed burgers next to them.
Not anymore. Restaurants have stepped up their game to create tasty and addictive fish dishes you’ll crave even when it’s not Lent. And what’s not to love about fish sandwiches or burgers? You get the clean, briney, and flavorful taste of fish filet enclosed in crispy coating, usually served with lettuce or slaw while sandwiched in between fluffy buns. And if you’re in the mood for a burger, say TGIF to these lip-smacking fish sandwiches around Metro Manila.
Sweet Ecstasy
Burger joint Sweet Ecstasy has created cult favorites out of its juicy burgers — including their famous off-menu item, Grilled Cheese Burgers. Yet beef isn’t the only meat you can enjoy here; the beloved brand has announced new seafood additions to their burger lineup: The Filet-x-Fish, which uses Alaskan pollock for the filet, and the Filet-x-Shrimp, all served with the same buttery buns you know and love.
Check them out on Instagram.
8Cuts
8Cuts may be known by many for their wide range of loaded burgers — they serve different patties based on various meat cuts — but only a few know that they have a great fish sandwich option, too. Say hello to the Fish ‘Wich, a thick filet that’s deep-fried to a golden crisp, topped with coleslaw and sandwiched between brioche buns.
Check them out on Instagram.
Raging Bull Burgers
Upscale burger bar Raging Bull Burgers takes burgers on a whole new level with dry aged beef minced into flavorful patties. That said, an unexpected star at Raging Bull is their Naked Fish — featuring crispy fried grouper filet between two brioche buns and is served with salsa criolla, romaine lettuce and nikkei tartare sauce. We especially love how the filet looks even too thick and large for its buns.
Check them out on Instagram.
Mary Grace Café
The sandwich at Mary Grace is what we call a “proper fish sandwich.” Known mainly for its pastries and for serving a warm, homey ambiance, you’re not going to find greasy filets drowning in sauce and slaw here. Their Fish and Bell Pepper Sandwich looks clean, prim, and well-dressed. In between bread slices lies lettuce and its grilled fish filet, topped with bell pepper cream and tomatoes.
Visit Mary Grace Café on Instagram.
Brothers Burger
From being the hot burger place to be in the mid-2000s to early 2010s, Brothers Burger has slipped into obscurity in the past years — yet its loyal diners swear by its unchanged quality. They’ve also managed to set themselves apart from more famous joints by taking a more Filipino approach to their burgers. That means offering a great alternative for meat-conscious FIlipinos through its Crispy Fish Sandwich, topped with lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and tartare sauce.
Check out Brothers Burger on Instagram.
Mimi and Bros
Mimi and Bros shows the little details count in its Big Fish sandwich, setting itself apart from the rest — featuring batter-fried filet instead of the usual breading and thick-cut fries.
Check out Mimi and Bros on Instagram.
Flossom Kitchen
Neighborhood brunch place Flossom Kitchen offers several options for your dining group, including Lent-friendly favorites featuring their cobbler fish filets. Flossom also offers a sandwich version for this incredibly crisp dish — the Cobbler Fish Sandwich features a beer battered fish filet, topped with garlic aioli, lettuce, tomatoes, brioche buns, and a side of potato chips.
Visit Flossom Kitchen on Instagram.
Charlie’s Grind and Grill
What we love about Charlie’s, the OG viral burger joint in Kapitolyo, Pasig City, is that it has something for everyone, including Meatless Friday diners. Charlie’s Crispy Fish Sandwich features a heap of wet-battered fish topped with onions, tomatoes, and lettuce, while served with a side of potato chips.
Check out Charlie’s on Instagram.
