An unending flow of fried chicken restaurants has been opening in the UK recently – fromDave’s Hot Chicken to MB Chicken and BonBird.
But fast foodfans are now getting a fresh experience, as Captain D’s, a chain that has been referred to as the 'McDonald’s"of the sea," has confirmed its first-ever UK location will open in Broadstairs, Kent.
The upcoming restaurant will be situated at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre and is expected to open in the near future.
It was initially scheduled to launch in August, but an official opening date has not been announced so far.
Captain D’s was established in 1969 inNashville, Tennessee and has expanded to open over 530 restaurants across theUS.
It specialises in seafood, featuring a variety including catfish and butterfly shrimp on the menu, along with traditional favorites such as batteredfish and chips.
The offerings at Captain D’s also includefish sandwichesalong with side dishes like corn on the cob, baked potatoes, green beans, and fried okra. Supporters especially enjoy the hush puppies – deep-fried balls made from cornmeal batter, served hot and crunchy.
And if this appeals to you, but you don't reside anywhere close to Broadstairs, there's no need to worry, as additional restaurants are set to open soon.
Captain D's has entered into a 20-unit agreement with CD's Holdings for the UK, with dining locations set to open in Sussex and Hampshire later this year.
Regarding the launch, Naveed Chattha, the operations director of CD’s Holdings, stated: 'We have been searching for the perfect brand to bring to the UK market, which is both thrilling and beneficial.'
A significant fish and chips market exists in the UK, yet no one has previously implemented discipline, standards, and quality at this level. Based on our experience, we believe Captain D’s is the suitable option.
We are certain about the individuals behind theTop 50 finest fish and chip takeaways in the UK, could have a few comments on that statement. But anyway, proceeding...
What are customers' actual opinions on the food served at Captain D’s?
Similar to many fast food restaurants, Captain D’s has garnered a range of online feedback, particularly on platforms like Reddit and Tripadvisor. While some individuals have described it as "so so" and "underwhelming," others have expressed strong affection for it, calling it their "favorite."
The most intriguing feedback is from a Tripadvisor user named Florida_sugar_Daddy, who referred to Captain D’s as the 'McDonald’s of the sea'.
They stated: "This is the seafood equivalent of McDonald's and they perform exceptionally well. The Sebring branch is tidy and properly kept, with a warm and attentive team that delivers your meal swiftly and the costs are reasonable."
Page 057 shared the same sentiment, stating: 'We always enjoy stopping by Captain D’s. The food is consistently good, the service is excellent, and the pricing is reasonable.'
And PJSteeby remarked: 'Fast food has never been this delicious and delivered so swiftly with a friendly smile! We come every week and are consistently impressed!'
Some people said it was the 'best fast food seafood' they had encountered, and superior to another competing US chain called Long John Silver’s.
Nevertheless, not all individuals shared a positive view of Captain D's, with Barbara K considering it 'another typical fast food restaurant.' She commented: 'The food was cooked swiftly, but it isn't particularly delicious and tends to be quite oily.'
While 910peggy agreed, she said: 'This was typical. Delicious quick food but nothing out of the ordinary.'
A user named cttagent commented: 'Fish seemed like a good option for lunch, so we decided to stop here. The catfish meal had three very small fillet pieces, which were definitely not worth the cost. The battered fish was just average in flavor. The broccoli was inedible: it was overcooked, had a rubbery texture, and was burnt.'
In other quick-service restaurant updates,McDonald's has removed several traditional menu items recentlyfrom its selection, such as the Bacon Mayo Chicken and Bacon Double Cheeseburger.
And a Australian chain called Zambrero, which serves Mexican cuisine, hasconfirmed that it is also heading to the UK,aiming to establish 100 locations by 2030.
The piece was initially released on March 19, 2025.
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