While the ice cream machine is always broken, no matter what location you go to, and the fries are undersalted more often than not, there's one McDonald's menu item that will never let you down: the Filet-O-Fish. McDonald's took a big swing when they introduced this iconic item back in 1962. However, there's nothing fishy about the Filet-O-Fish's success.
The Making Of A Legend
The sandwich was the brainchild of Lou Groen, who owned a store in Cincinnati. Though it may not seem like it today, Filet-O-Fish was a big risk for the company! Up until that point, the menu was much simpler; you could get a hamburger, cheeseburger, or French fries.
There was just one problem.
Groen's store was in a predominantly Catholic neighborhood. This meant that business was lean on Fridays and especially during Lent, when customers abstained from meat. Groen struggled to make ends meet.
If Groen and his store were going to stay afloat, they would need to divert from McDonald's all-American burger menu. Groen noticed that a local Big Boy restaurant managed to avoid the Friday lull with a halibut sandwich. Thus, the Filet-O-Fish was born.
However, there were a few bumps in the road before the public got their hands on the sandwich. CEO Ray Kroc wasn't sold on the Filet-O-Fish. Kroc was largely responsible for the franchise's success; he didn't want it ruined by the smell of fish.
Kroc decided to let the public decide. Both the Filet-O-Fish and the Hula Burger— a cold bun with grilled pineapple and cheese—were launched on Good Friday, 1962. Whichever one sold better could stay.
A Smashing Success
Seeing as how this article isn't about the Hula Burger, you can probably guess which one won. Filet-O-Fish sold 350 sandwiches to Hula Burger's 6. Not only did it meet expectations, it exceeded them!
More than 2000 sandwiches were sold during Filet-O-Fish's first month. Modern estimates place current sales at around 25,000 per month. More than 1.8 million Filet-O-Fish's are sold for every one of Lent's 40 days.
However, Catholics aren't the only ones eager to sink their teeth into a Filet-O-Fish. The sandwich is also popular among Jewish and Muslim communities, whose dietary restrictions render the rest of the menu largely inedible (kosher and halal certifications vary by location). Before fast food chains put greater focus on plant-based options, the Filet-O-Fish was one of few options catering to vegetarians or pescatarians.
Filet-O-Fish is just greasy enough to satisfy those fast food cravings while still being relatively healthy. It's also a far lighter option than a Big Mac or Quarter Pounder, which can leave you feeling weighed down. Something about that steamed bun hits every time.
While the titular fish has changed over half a century (Alaska pollock replaced the prototypical halibut, though, hoki is served in the UK and New Zealand), the Filet-O-Fish hasn't budged. For one fateful year, it even had its own mascot: Phil A. O'Fish! Though Phil was sent to a pond upstate in 1977.
Dietary restrictions or not, it's no wonder that the combo of fish, tartar sauce, and cheese on a steamed bun was an immediate success. We're eternally grateful that the Filet-O-Fish won out. No offense to the Hula Burger.
