Long John Silvers’ New FreshSide Grille Menu

Grilled tilapia, Pacific coast salmon and shrimp scampi all for under 350 calories? You got it! Long John Silvers’ new FreshSide Grille menu offers three new healthy fish entrees that are low in calories, but create a wave in taste.

This new light menu is a far cry from the fast-food chain’s usual fare of fried cod, hush puppies and battered shrimp. Like countless other chain restaurants offering healthier fare, Long John Silver’s is just one of many to follow this trend giving fast-food customers leaner options to choose.

Here is the skinny on the LJS FreshSide Grille menu:

• Grilled Tilapia: One piece (serving) has 110 calories, 2.5 grams of fat and a respectable 250mg of sodium. You choose two FreshSide sides like vegetable medley (25 calories), rice (80 calories), corn coblette with butter (150 calories) or a soft breadstick (170 calories) to round out your meal.

• Grilled Pacific Salmon: Two fillets have 150 calories, 5 grams of fat and 440 mg of sodium. Unfortunately, the salmon is not wild and most likely farmed, which means that it contains more mercury and is less eco-friendly than wild-caught fillets.

• Shrimp Scampi : One serving (8 shrimp) has 110 calories, 5 grams of fat and 610 mg of sodium. You can have your scampi served on a bed of FreshSide rice and still stay under 200 calories. I gave the garlic butter sauce on the scampi a thumbs up since it wasn’t overly garlicky or buttery.

I had the fun of sampling a few of these new grille items and although the portions are small, LJS knows how to doctor the seasonings without going too overboard with the added salt.

My favorite was the Grilled Pacific Salmon, and despite it not being wild, it had a lot of flavor without giving it a too-fishy taste. While many fast-food items have through-the-roof sodium contents, the FreshSide Grille menu did not score too badly. Keep in mind that you should get no more than 2,300 mg of the salty stuff per day.

My overall review is that LJS has done a pretty good job of creating a fish fast-food menu that is healthy, yummy and inexpensive. (All FreshSide Grille entrees are $4.99). And with all of the prompts from medical and health specialists urging us to eat more fish, here is just another way to get in those heart-healthy fats and lean protein and stay within both your calorie and money-saving budget.