Cheddars is a popular casual dining restaurant chain that serves a variety of American cuisine. Their menu features a selection of white fish options that customers can choose from.
Types of White Fish at Cheddars
Some of the most common white fish dishes served at Cheddars include:
- Cod
- Haddock
- Halibut
- Tilapia
- Grouper
- Catfish
These mild, flaky white fish are featured in several of Cheddars’ most popular seafood entrees and combos.
Cod
Cod is a popular white fish option at many restaurants, including Cheddars. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and tender white flesh. At Cheddars, cod is available prepared several different ways:
- Baked Cod – Seasoned cod fillet baked until flaky.
- Cajun Cod – Blackened cod seasoned with Cajun spices.
- Cod Basket – Fried cod fillets served with fries and slaw.
Haddock
Haddock is another flaky white fish with a delicate, slightly briny taste. Cheddars uses haddock for dishes like:
- Broiled Haddock – Haddock fillet broiled with lemon and seasoning.
- Haddock Tacos – Fried haddock tucked in flour tortillas with crunchy slaw.
Halibut
Halibut has a meatier texture than many white fish and is prized for its sweet, mild flavor. Cheddars’ halibut dishes include:
- Grilled Halibut – Halibut steak grilled and topped with pineapple salsa.
- Halibut Basket – Fried halibut fillets with fries and coleslaw.
Tilapia
Tilapia is a popular menu item at many restaurants for its affordability and mild taste. Cheddars uses tilapia for:
- Blackened Tilapia – Spice-rubbed tilapia fillet pan seared and blackened.
- Tilapia Tacos – Corn tortillas filled with lightly fried tilapia, shredded cabbage, and pico de gallo.
Grouper
Grouper is a firm, moist fish prized for its sweet and mild flavor. At Cheddars, you can find grouper in dishes like:
- Fried Grouper – Grouper fillet breaded and fried golden brown.
- Blackened Grouper – Spice-crusted grouper pan seared for a crispy blackened finish.
Catfish
Catfish is another popular option, loved for its unique flavor. Cheddars serves catfish in traditional Southern style:
- Fried Catfish – Cornmeal coated catfish fried to a crispy golden brown.
- Blackened Catfish – Catfish coated in Cajun spices and pan seared.
Most Popular White Fish Dishes
While Cheddars offers a variety of white fish preparations, some specific dishes stand out as customer favorites:
1. Baked Cod
The baked cod is consistently one of the most popular white fish options at Cheddars. The flaky cod is baked with lemon, garlic butter, and a breadcrumb topping for delicious flavor without being fried.
2. Grilled Salmon
Though not technically a white fish, the grilled salmon at Cheddars is a big hit. The fresh salmon is lightly seasoned and grilled for tender, moist results bursting with omega-3s.
3. Fried Catfish
For Southern flair, Cheddars’ crispy fried catfish is a favorite. The catfish fillets are coated in seasoned cornmeal and fried to golden perfection.
4. Fish Taco Trio
This trio of tacos lets you sample different white fish flavors in one dish. It includes grilled halibut, Cajun grouper, and fried tilapia tacos for the perfect mix.
5. Tilapia Tacos
The tilapia tacos combine tender pan-seared tilapia with zesty Asian slaw in a flour tortilla. It offers big fresh flavor in a handheld package.
Nutrition Information
Here is the nutrition information for some of Cheddars’ most popular white fish dishes:
| Dish | Calories | Fat (g) | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baked Cod | 290 | 3 | 43 | 6 |
| Grilled Salmon | 370 | 15 | 47 | 0 |
| Fried Catfish | 650 | 35 | 25 | 25 |
| Fish Taco Trio | 600 | 15 | 45 | 45 |
| Tilapia Tacos | 500 | 15 | 30 | 50 |
As you can see, grilled preparations like the baked cod and grilled salmon provide lean protein options under 400 calories. Fried dishes like the catfish and tacos have higher calorie, fat, and carb counts. Keep this nutrition information in mind when making your menu selections.
Preparation Methods
Cheddars employs a variety of preparation methods to create delicious and diverse white fish dishes on their menu, including:
Baking
Baking is a simple, healthy cooking method that retains moisture and brings out the natural subtle flavors of white fish. Cheddars bakes cod fillets seasoned with lemon, garlic, and buttered breadcrumbs for a light meal.
Grilling
Grilling imparts delicious charred flavor while keeping fish lean and juicy. Cheddars grills halibut steaks and salmon fillets over an open flame for great flavor.
Frying
From crispy fish tacos to catfish baskets, frying seals in moisture while providing a crispy, indulgent crunch. Cheddars fries catfish, grouper, tilapia, and more in their traditional Southern-style baskets.
Blackening
To blacken fish, Cheddars coats fillets with Cajun spice blends then sears them quickly in a hot skillet to form a caramelized crust while keeping the interior moist. It adds big flavor to grouper, tilapia, and catfish.
Broiling
Broiling involves cooking fish under direct, high-heat overhead. Cheddars broils haddock fillets seasoned simply with lemon and parsley for tender, lightly charred results.
Side Dishes
Cheddars’ white fish entrees are served with an array of delicious side dish options, including:
- Rice Pilaf – Herb-seasoned rice with peas.
- Loaded Baked Potato – Baked potato topped with butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon.
- Southern Green Beans – Green beans cooked with bacon and onions.
- Steamed Broccoli – Fresh broccoli steamed al dente.
- Fries – Crispy natural-cut French fries.
- Coleslaw – Cool cabbage slaw tossed in a creamy dressing.
- Corn on the Cob – Sweet grilled corn on the cob.
- Applesauce – Tart, freshly made applesauce.
These side dishes provide the perfect complement to enhance the flavors of Cheddars’ white fish entrees. Guests can select the sides that appeal to their preferences and appetites.
Prices
Cheddars provides quality white fish options at reasonable prices. Here are some average price points for their most popular seafood entrees:
- Baked Cod – $15.99
- Grilled Salmon – $18.99
- Fried Catfish – $16.99
- Fish Taco Trio – $13.99
- Tilapia Tacos – $11.99
Combination platters that pair fish with shrimp or chicken tend to cost slightly more. Cheddars often runs special discounted pricing on certain menu items as well.
Tips for Ordering
Here are some helpful tips for ordering great white fish dishes at Cheddars:
- Stick to simpler grilled preparations to cut calories and fat.
- Fried dishes make a tasty indulgence in moderation.
- Build a combo plate to sample different fish flavors.
- Balance rich fish entrees with lighter steamed veggie sides.
- Watch portion size, as fish entrees come with two sides.
- Ask about any seasonal white fish specials.
- Request lemon wedges to brighten the flavor.
Conclusion
With its selection of cod, haddock, halibut, tilapia, grouper, and catfish, Cheddars offers diners an appealing variety of white fish options. Baked and grilled dishes provide lighter choices, while fried platters up the indulgence factor. Combining savory fish with fresh sides results in well-balanced meals. Following the tips above can help you get the most enjoyment out of Cheddars’ white fish offerings. So next time you’re dining at Cheddars, don’t forget to explore the menu’s tasty fish selections.
