The Best Fast Food Side Dishes Of All Time, Ranked

We all have menu items from different fast food chains that after trying them become part of our go-to orders. They turn into one of the reasons you look forward to every visit and what you can't wait to dig into once you're handed that tray or to-go bag. It doesn't matter if they're an entree, side, or dessert, they hold a special place in our heart, and stomach.

There are some dishes that are so good and special that they gain admiration and become a favorite among a majority of customers. While the entree is usually considered the star of the show, a meal is not complete without a good side. That's why we decided to compile a list of the best fast food side dishes of all time. These are the sides that left a lasting impression on eaters and rose above the rest. As is to be expected, despite their popularity, reviewers had varying experiences and opinions of the sides, which we analyzed and used to rank them. To learn more about our research and determination process visit the methodology slide at the end of the article.

With Culver's being a Wisconsin-based chain, it's no shock that the restaurant offers cheese curds. There are customers on Facebook and Reddit who thoroughly enjoy the cheese curds and feel they are a superior fast food side. "In college they built one less than a five minute drive away and I can't tell you how many Friday or Saturday nights I'd go there and just get a large cheese curd and a concrete (mixer) as my dinner," one Redditor shares. Another person, who dubbed themselves as a "ride or die" for the side, explained that they have tried a lot of cheese curds from other restaurants and none of them have compared to Culver's. 

However, despite there being those who like the restaurant's curds, there are also a lot of reviewers who aren't impressed by them. "They're one of the main things the chain is known for, but they're mediocre at best. Sure, the cheese part is good, but the breading makes them taste like they're from the grocery store's frozen snack aisle," a Redditor says. "I always regret paying extra for them. The pretzel bites are a much better use of the upcharge." In fact, the breading is something that people consistently complain about, stating that it makes them taste like cheap mozzarella sticks. While Culver's cheese curds have some loyal fans, the complaints about their quality and flavor is what landed them in last place of our list. 

When you think of sides from Chick-fil-a, the first one that comes to mind is probably the waffle fries. However, another popular option is its baked mac and cheese. The noodle dish comes highly recommended from a majority of customers in a Reddit thread receiving multiple perfect ratings. However, complaints do pop up about the side, noting that it is occasionally watery and overly salty. "I prep Mac n cheese for Chick-fil-a and it most likely tastes watered down if they didn't thaw the Mac n cheese in time and ice crystals haven't defrosted leading to extra soupy/watery Mac in my opinion," an alleged employee explains on Reddit. 

In fact, during our research, we found that positive opinions of the chain's mac and cheese are met with just as many, if not more, negative ones. In another discussion, some posters describe the side as being delicious while others state it is bland and compare it to creamy cardboard. Additionally, while some eaters feel the mac and cheese from Chick-fil-a tastes homemade, others compare it to Stouffer's frozen mac and cheese.

Users on Facebook seem to thoroughly enjoy the fast food chain's mac and cheese, though some enhancements are advised. Adding chicken nuggets, waffle fries, Buffalo sauce, Chick-fil-a sauce, sweet and spicy sriracha, hot sauce, or a mix of these can make all the difference. The inconsistent preparation and up and down opinions is what earned the mac and cheese from Chick-fil-a the ninth spot in our fast food side roundup. 

The red beans and rice from Popeyes may be simple, but are fairly well-liked by a number of customers. These are mentioned by posters across multiple different Reddit threads asking what the best fast food sides are. "Not only are they fire but it's nice not feeling quite as [bad] after eating them since they're not just another pile of grease," one Redditor says. The side's flavor is described by a reviewer as charred and smoky, as if the beans were roasted over an open flame. 

However, there are customers who aren't impressed at all by the restaurant's beans and rice, calling them trash and a third-tier side. Its preparation also seems to be inconsistent as there have been instances of people getting blown out rice, resulting in a worrisome texture, and receiving more rice than beans, causing the dish to be dry. "For a ... small it's supposed to be one scoop of red beans and one scoop of rice on top. For a large it's supposed to be 3 large scoops of red beans and 3 small scoops of rice on top," an apparent employee explains on Reddit. Additionally, despite appearances, vegetarians should avoid this side dish, as the beans are cooked with pork fat. The varying experiences, unpredictable quality, and blunt criticism of the dish is what caused it to fall to eighth in our ranking. 

The mashed potatoes and gravy from KFC are another popular side. One Redditor emphasizes, "I actually LOVE their mashed potatoes, it's almost like they add MSG to it," specifically noting their distinctive taste. Commenters theorize that the side's unique flavor is achieved by adding salt and white pepper. The mashed potatoes and gravy land in second place in a ranking of KFC side dishes, and are described as silky, smooth, and enhanced by the gravy. 

However, others are left somewhat underwhelmed by these potatoes, noting the potatoes seem soapy. There have also been complaints about the individual portion being smaller than it used to be and the gravy being put on top of the potatoes instead of coming on the side, which eaters claim means they are getting less of the sauce. It has been noted by others that you can ask for the gravy on the side and workers should give it to you that way. Additionally, users on Facebook have noticed a serious decline in the dish's flavor and are questioning if the chain has changed the mixes it uses to make the potatoes and gravy. Despite the side's popularity and previous high rankings, reviewers' displeasure with the menu item's texture, flavor, portion size, and preparation is what knocked it down to spot number seven. 

One of the more unique menu items that came up while we were researching the best sides from fast food chains was the Cajun Fried Corn from Wingstop. "I've been there every other day this week because I crave that corn constantly," an eater on Reddit shares. "I'd like to just make it and snack on it all day but I want that flavor and spice." Meanwhile, others go so far as to say that the corn is better than the wings and a contender for the most underrated fast food side ever. "The Cajun corn from Wingstop is fire. Definitely a must order if you haven't tried it yet," a Facebook user emphasizes. Another reviewer dubs this side as addicting.

Despite the praise, not everyone is impressed by or enjoys this side. Some find the skin of the corn to be dry and tacky, adding that it is nothing to rave about. Even an employee notes that they prefer the corn when it isn't fried as it is more "refreshing." They explain that the corn comes into the store refrigerated, but already cooked, and can just be seasoned. It is recommended to dip the cajun corn in ranch to enhance its flavor. The customers who love and thoroughly enjoy Wingstop's Cajun Fried Corn were almost evenly offset by the ones who dislike it and feel it is nothing special, causing it to land toward the middle of our list. 

With the popularity and fame that has surrounded McDonald's French Fries for years, it isn't very shocking that they made their way onto our list. Even the fast food chain titles them as "World Famous Fries," and they're the restaurant's best-selling menu item.

The fries are recognized by people across Reddit and Facebook as the best and takes the top spot in our ranking of fast food fries. They are described as "unparalleled" in flavor, fluffy on the inside, and crispy on the outside. 

While a lot of people agree that McDonald's fries are the superior option in the fast food realm, there are others who feel that the ones from Arby's, Rally's/Checkers, Five Guys, Burger King, Culver's, or Chick-fil-a are better. Redditors also point out that the fries are amazing when fresh, but can degrade in quality as they cool down. 

There are some posters who say the fries were better when the chain used to fry them in beef tallow. Despite McDonald's not doing this anymore, there are those who still enjoy the fries' flavor, noting that now the restaurant adds natural beef flavor to them. McDonald's French Fries are famous in the fast food realm and will almost always have people who enjoy them. However, that popularity and those fans are counterbalanced by those who are displeased by the way they quickly degrade in quality and think there are better options out there, earning them a middling spot here.

The mozzarella sticks from Arby's are not only recognized by customers as one of the best sides from a fast food chain, but also the ultimate mozzarella sticks. In fact, in a Reddit poll about which fast food restaurant has the best mozzarella sticks, Arby's is the clear winner. However, Sonic, Checker/Rally's, and White Castle are also mentioned by commenters. One Redditor even notes that they will stop at the chain specifically for the side. "They're a little bigger, which is nice. But the cheese seems to be better quality too," one Redditor says when asked what sets the side apart from the others. Eaters also highlight the cheese pull the mozzarella sticks provide when they're fresh. 

There are reviewers who claim that the chain has changed its mozzarella sticks and they are now smaller and lower quality, but not everyone has experienced this. As a matter of fact, some just feel that the side is more buttery, but the overall taste and consistency is the same. An Arby's manager's review on Facebook gives these a rating of 7.5 out 10, complaining about some being cold and the sticks themselves lacking flavor. Although, they do speak positively of the stringy cheese and crispy breading. The mozzarella sticks coming positively reviewed but having a few complaints pop up here and there is what earned the them the fourth spot in our round up. 

One side that Jack in the Box offers that some people might find shocking but comes fairly highly recommended, is its egg rolls. These egg rolls are dubbed as amazing and described as pairing perfectly with the sweet and sour sauce. In addition to the sweet and sour, it is recommended to dip these in the chain's ranch or avocado lime sauce. "It's literally one of the best things on the menu. Just dip your egg roll in a ranch cup each bite. I know it sounds gross but you can't judge it until you try it. I've never had someone try it and not like it," a poster on Reddit shares. 

The egg rolls are also deemed as being better than the ones from Panda Express by one reviewer. "Jacks has been making its egg rolls way before Panda was more than a bear in China so I think that has something to do with it," a Redditor says. Additionally, users on Facebook describe the side as fresh tasting, crispy, and delicious. However, there was an eater who was left questioning whether the egg rolls' filling has changed after getting a bad batch that they describe as dull and mushy, comparing the smell of it to canned cat food. Customers thoroughly enjoying the egg rolls from Jack in the Box with only a rare bad experience is what helped the side climb into the the top three of our rankings. 

Raising Cane's doesn't offer nearly as many sides on its menu as some other fast food chains do. It's Texas Toast is generally recognized as the superior side. However, there is a caveat: The Texas Toast must be ordered buttered on both sides.

The ordering method is so popular that it has an internal and external name, BoBS and bobbed or bobbing, respectively. One person notes that they have been ordering the toast from Cane's buttered on both sides for almost a decade, adding it's the only way to get it. "Cane's has the best toast to ever grace a fast food restaurant," one Redditor notes. Meanwhile, others add that they will switch out their coleslaw for an extra piece of bread, or even their fries and coleslaw to get four pieces of bread. "I wish I could copy cat this bread! I'd buy an entire loaf [if] I could," a Redditor emphasizes. Users on Facebook also enjoy the bread and say it is the only good thing at the chain. 

That said, some are not as impressed by the side, stating it is just bread with garlic spread that is toasted. Additionally, another reviewer explains that while getting the toast buttered on both sides gives it a satisfying crunch, it makes the bread overly salty. Despite complaints, the Texas Toast being overwhelmingly loved by eaters is why the side took second place in our list. 

Although the Animal Style Fries from In-N-Out are considered a secret menu item, they are extremely well-known and come highly recommended by customers. While the restaurant's regular fries are not very popular with visitors, with some theorizing that it's due to them going straight from the cutter to the fryer without being blanched, the Animal Style Fries are a fan favorite. One person emphasizes that it is the only way the chain's fries are good. A user on Facebook even goes as far as calling them a gift from God. It is noted that the side can be made even better by ordering it well done or adding chopped chilis. 

However, there are some who complain about how expensive the enhanced fries are compared to the regular ones, adding they would rather just get grilled onions on the fries with a side of spread as they claim that is free. Employees explain that they give Animal Fries, as well as cheese fries, a bigger portion than the regular order. Additionally, some customers have been left wondering how others eat the side as the toppings are piled on top, leaving the bottom bare. Commenters answer by saying they flip the fries over and add extra spread to the bottom or just mix the fries together. The Animal Style Fries are consistently ordered and enjoyed by customers with few objections, which is why they earned the top spot on this list.

In order to rank the best fast food sides of all time, we first had to determine which dishes from chains fell into that category. We did that by analyzing what menu items customers on Reddit and Facebook listed and logged the ones that popped up the most.

From there, we did further research on what reviewers had to say about the sides, making note of the themes of the opinions as well as the ratio that each theme received. After compiling those, we used them to put the sides in order. While investigating, we also made sure to note any ways that people recommended enhancing the sides.