Fast-food shrimp? Taste-test results from 5 Northeast Ohio restaurants

CLEVELAND — The Lenten season is upon us, and plenty of Christians who need to abstain from meat dishes on Fridays could also be rapidly rising bored with the choices at their native fish fries; or possibly you simply don’t have time for these lengthy strains on the pick-up window.

Whereas quick meals and fast-casual eating places are touting their fish-sandwich specials, what do you feed your loved ones — or your self — on a Friday that isn’t a fried filet on a bun?

To discover a higher choice, Better of Cleveland reporter Yadi Rodriguez just lately visited 5 native fast-food and fast-casual eating places in Northeast Ohio to taste-test their shrimp dinners.

Whether or not you knew shrimp was an choice at your native drive-through, or if that is information to your palate, Rodriguez discovered 5 fast-food eateries that simply don’t fry the shrimp, however do provide strategies of preparation to tempt your tastebuds.

Take a look at her rankings – from worst to finest – beneath. Chances are you’ll simply be shocked on the closing rankings.

NOTE: A few of these shrimp platters are solely out there for a restricted time, so that you’ll need to hurry if you wish to strive them for your self.

No. 10

Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips: Batter Dipt Butterfly Shrimp

Worth: $9.49

Menu description: Six items of batter-dipt butterfly shrimp, a beneficiant portion of our crispy chips, and two savory hush puppies.

My ideas: If you’re a fan of Arthur Treacher’s signature batter, this butterfly shrimp dish may very well be a winner in your guide. However we weren’t rating batter right here. Sadly, with a lot of the crunchy coating, the shrimp bought misplaced amid the coating, and in a minimum of two instances, was non-existent — solely the tail survived the frying course of.

No. 9

Lengthy John Silver’s: Coconut Shrimp Snack Field

Worth: $3.49

Menu Description: n/a

My ideas: There was loads of shrimp on this snack field, although it had the identical texture and style of the frozen shrimp you will get in your grocer’s freezer. BYOB your personal cocktail sauce because the restaurant doesn’t provide any. There was nothing particular or memorable about this shrimp dish.

No. 8

Lengthy John Silver’s: Batter Dipped Shrimp Basket

Worth: $10.79

Menu Description: Shrimp Baskets batter-dipped shrimp with one facet and hushpuppies (fried)

My ideas: The massive pink tail on the shrimp was probably the most distinctive a part of this entree. I hope you just like the style of the hush puppies as a result of that’s the style that you simply get when you chunk into one among these shrimps. Maybe they shared the identical oil bathtub? The batter was dry and skinny, however sadly on the salty facet.

No. 7

Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips: Popcorn Shrimp & Chips

Worth: $9.49

Menu Description: 20 items of zesty popcorn shrimp, a beneficiant portion of our crispy chips, and two savory hush puppies.

My ideas: There are many crunchy popcorn shrimp to fulfill your starvation pangs, however it’s arduous to style the seafood as a result of they style as in the event that they had been coated in the identical meal used to make this eatery’s signature hush puppies. Whereas all of us count on popcorn shrimp to be on the small facet, they had been bigger than the shrimp within the butterfly basket, which is without doubt one of the causes they ranked greater (See above).

No. 6

Lengthy John Silver’s: Popcorn Shrimp

Worth: $10.79

Menu Description: Shrimp Baskets – popcorn and batter-dipped shrimp with one facet and hush puppies (fried)

My ideas: The most effective phrase I can give you for this shrimp is “common.” Whereas the shrimp itself was of an honest measurement, and the breading not too thick and fewer greasy than a number of the others I attempted, the tastes was simply “satisfactory.”

No. 5

Popeye’s: ¼ lb. Popcorn Shrimp Combo

Worth: $10.49

Menu Description: n/a

My ideas: These crunchy shrimp are a terrific car for that peppery coating we’ve got come to like at Popeye’s. You undoubtedly get extra shrimp that you simply count on right here, although just a few had been a bit over-cooked. Regardless of the failings, they’re addicting due to that great peppery after-kick you get from the batter, which begs the query: Is it the shrimp I like or the crunchy coating?

No. 4

Swensons: Shrimp Dinner

Worth: $9.85

Menu Description: Shrimp Dinner – a dozen crispy tail-on shrimp with cocktail sauce

My ideas: Full disclosure: I used to be shocked by the standard of this fast-shrimp. Let me give kudos to Swenson’s for individually wrapping the shrimp in its personal packet inside the dinner field. Due to that little further step, all the pieces within the field managed to take care of its particular person flavors. The great-sized shrimp had been fried completely, and delivered a great crunch, even by the point I arrived dwelling. The coating was not overly thick or greasy. I did snort on the “roll,” which was a hamburger bun with no added butter. Thanks for that….or not.

No. 3

Popeye’s: Shrimp Sort out Field Combo

Worth: $7.99

Menu Description: 8 computer tender, crispy butterfly shrimp seasoned in a standard mix of Louisiana herbs and spices, served up crispy in our distinctive southern breading, paired with Popeyes signature facet & scorching buttery biscuit.

My ideas: Oh, Popeye’s you didn’t disappoint me. You delivered on that very same crunchy, crispy flavorful coating that you’ve got nailed throughout your whole merchandise on the properly sized shrimp. Be ready for that peppery after kick that can come. Better of all, Popeye’s is beneficiant, providing you with two packs of their model of cocktail sauce along with your order (just one pictured).

No. 2

Lengthy John Silver’s: Grilled Shrimp

Worth: $10.79

Menu Description: Shrimp Baskets Grilled, with one facet and hushpuppies (fried) on a mattress of savory rice (grilled)

My ideas: That is the one fast-food spot that gives a grilled shrimp choice. Whereas I want there had been grill marks, I used to be thrilled to discover a dish that was not lined in some form of batter. A pleasant various to fried shrimp, it had a beautiful coating of seasoning on either side. Bonus factors for having no tail on the shrimp, so you’ll be able to simply pop them in your mouth and revel in.

No. 1

Culver’s: Butterfly Jumbo Shrimp Dinner

Worth: $10.39

Menu Description: Frivolously breaded shrimp served with our personal particular recipe cocktail sauce, a lemon wedge, and two traditional sides. 6 piece or 10 piece

My ideas: I wouldn’t say “calmly” breaded, however I might say these shrimp had simply the correct amount of coating to make them crunchy and flavorful. Inside, the shrimp had been sizable — so no must ‘fish’ for them — they usually had been completely cooked. The contemporary lemon wedge, on the facet, was a pleasant contact. Culver’s you probably did it once more, giving me a pleasant, fast go-to for a Lenten Friday meal.

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