…to ask why the Filet o’Fish is a mark of cringe?

[girljulian]

Lighthearted, but I read on a recent “ick” thread that someone was at McDonald’s with a man and he ordered a Filet o’Fish, which killed her attraction to him. This reminded me of an old video I saw of Benedict Cumberbatch doing a fond impression of Tom Hiddleston in which he had him order “a Filet o’Fish, if you still do those.” I am getting the impression that ordering a Filet o’Fish is peak cringe, but googling “what is so uncool about the Filet o’Fish” is getting me nowhere.

Someone explain the lore to me??

The only thing I could come up with myself was that maybe it’s a holdover from a time when many vegetarians ate fish and vegetarianism was also considered unmasculine, so ordering one indicates that you’re an effeminate vegetarian; and/or simply it’s cringe because it’s “unmanly” not to eat red meat. Is that it??

IANBU: it’s holdover cringe because of outdated ideas about meat and masculinity

IABU: you’re about to tell me the real mysterious reason

That’s rough. I’m in the UAE and they are easily available, at a price.

Worth it for the occasional fish finger sandwich.

I wouldn’t eat McDonalds. Haven’t touched one for 30 years. Generally vile IMO. Plus pronouncing it filay is stupid.

Philip the fish😂

Their burgers are as dry as a camel's fart, and half as appetising. The fish thing is the only thing with a bit of flavour, and that's only because they use a bit of dill in the tartar sauce. My 19yo spends ridiculous amounts on their food and I just don't get it.

Debilitating morning sickness for the last 2 weeks, and now all I can think about is how much I desperately I want a Filet O' fish, curse you MN!

A true delicacy if ever there was one!
(though I can't lie, it'd be nice if they weren't always half in/out the bun!)

Thank you so much I had forgotten this happened. This is the best thing that ever ever happened on tv

Agree - Aldi fish burgers (especially the Hot & spicy ones) are delicious!

If you are fine with eating a patty made of noses, ears and other bits of cow that isn't used elsewhere, you are welcome to them. I couldn't.

Used to like filet o fish but that was about 15 years ago, no idea what they are like now but fish worms put me off those.

The vegetarian burgers used to be OK but they veganised them and they are foul now.

I don't bother any more, except for some fries once in a while when I am desperate for something to eat - I won't say desperate for food because, well, you know...

Fillet o fish are nice. Nothing wrong with a 70s/80s classic.
I'm glad they've kept them on the menu.

I used to have them when I was first trying to not eat meat (pescatarian) and as my partner and child insist on a McDonald's sometimes, it was a nice change from a veggie burger.
I think the problem is they take a while to cook.
Not that I'm bothered, if you drag me into McDonald's you take your chances 😂

I haven't had one in years but I used to quite like them. The fish itself always seemed a bit lacking in taste but the tartar sauce put paid to that. Lush. I have no idea why they're cringe.

For a long time Filet of Fish (no tartare sauce) was one of DS few foods he would eat, I've ordered dozens maybe a hundred of them over the years. Put me right off McD's!

I know someone who worked at McDonalds and he said that they cook one Fillet o fish and it will literally sit there all day as no-one orders it. (Yes they are supposed to throw it away after a certain period but what a waste of food so they would just keep it til someone wanted one)

I think the ick factor is maybe just that it's McDonald's - essentially a burger joint. Why go there if you're going to order fish?

I love them and when I order one I just ask for a fish burger because I just can't bring myself to say the proper name for them 😂

I ate one today! Bloody lovely and what I always order from McDonald’s.

I love fish burgers - they are my favourite sort of burger. I don’t really like beef burgers, or even chicken burgers.

A fillet of fish would be my go to order at McDonald’s. They’re almost always made fresh as well, as they don’t have many sitting around.

I remember Jack Dee doing a sketch about it 😂the emphasis was on saying the ‘O’ part

It wouldn’t give me the ick, but I’d wonder why out of all the delicious things, someone would choose that…what a waste of a Mcds visit
Also…fish breath? 😂I don’t know…I’m trying to think of the ick involved

Meat burgers are way more ick

How would request a Big Mac or a Whopper without bowing down to The Man?

I've never had one! Definitely going to try it now cause I bloody love a fish finger sandwich.

I liked the veggie burgers but they've changed them to crappy wee veggie fingers now so I don't bother.

I used to work there and it was mainly elderly people who ordered them for some reason?

@fratellia It's the classic flavour of a fish finger butty and they are quite small and inexpensive.
My mum and MIL would both older a fillet o fish, I can't see them going for a big tasty. Could be wrong though.

I can’t eat fish anymore after a thread on here about fish worms 😭

I was really disappointed when I tried one. It was not as nice as I thought it would be. My mum had them with just the bun and the fish. Nothing else. And no salt on her chips either. (Weirdo)

Suggestions about “fishy” smell and taste seem off base here as surely white processed cod really tastes of nothing…

You've made my life, thank you 🤣