Every Chick-Fil-A Side, Ranked From Worst To Best

I don't have a long history with Chick-fil-A; it probably only goes back a little more than a decade. I was living in Southern California when the first San Diego franchise opened in 2004. Before then, I had only heard about this drive-thru place that allegedly served the best chicken sandwich and waffle fries on the fast food market. I also heard some polarizing facts about the company, which stopped me from trying anything for myself to see if the hyperbole was warranted.

I have since relaxed my personal stance a little bit, and that's thanks to my husband, who is a bit more pragmatic than I am — and, to my surprise, bought me a Chick-fil-A sandwich and an order of waffle fries one afternoon. I had to agree, the sandwich was delicious, and those waffle fries dipped in Chick-fil-A sauce were a fast-food epiphany.

But that's the extent of my go-to order when I do decide to revisit Chick-fil-A, which is still rare. Honestly, I wasn't even aware the restaurant had such an extensive menu of sides until I got this assignment. My husband was excited, too, if only to get the chance to order a chicken sandwich. I explained that I was ranking only the sides menu, but he insisted that he'd pay me back if I added one to my order. Although I won't review the sandwich in this article, I will, however, give my ranking of every Chick-fil-A side from worst to best.

Let me start by saying kale is not my favorite green. To me, it's bitter, as rough as razor wire, and will clean your plumbing, if you catch my drift. The fact that Chick-fil-A has a whole side salad made from the stuff has me confused. But one of the things I like about writing food reviews is that it gives me a chance to eat things I have either sworn off or acquired a revulsion to. Kale is close to the top of that short list.

Unfortunately, that distaste still holds true with Chick-fil-A's Kale Crunch Side. And if kale wasn't enough in this salad, they also thought it would be a great idea to add green cabbage to the mix. Chick-fil-A must want us to have an extreme gastrointestinal event.

Texturally, the lettuce leaves felt like eating an old crumpled-up dollar bill with sharp edges. Even the Dijon mustard vinaigrette couldn't save this cow chow.

I'm going to categorize this as a novelty item. It's beyond me why someone might choose this potato chip option over the real, well-loved fresh Waffle Potato Fries from Chick-fil-A when they are literally in line at the drive-thru.

I opened the bag and gave it a sniff. I think I was hoping to get that same aroma of the signature waffle fries, but it never came. They looked like the waffle fries with that empty grid design, but that's where the similarities ended. If Chick-fil-A's Waffle Potato Fries are made right, they have a great crispy outside with a nice pillowy cushiness on the inside. It's a great pairing that combines two textures for a satisfying snack experience. These chips leave out the soft part.

I think they tasted fine; not too salty and had a nice snap. The potato flavor was pleasant without being too strong. If I had a batch of ranch dip on hand, I think these would have been a great dip chip. My overall thoughts on these Chick-fil-A chips are that they feel like a cash grab: a branded product based on a signature dish that only hints at the source material. My advice? Get the real thing instead. 

I'm not sure why Chick-fil-A would have this option on its menu other than as a breakfast side. I'm of the mindset that parfait has seen its time and might be a trend that has aged out of the fast food system. It's basically sweet yogurt with fruit mix-ins. Chick-fil-A doesn't add anything new to the dish; it's a basic dessert-like treat that may, for all intents and purposes, seem healthier than it really is. I found that the yogurt that was once chilled had softened substantially sitting next to some of the warmer items in the bag. I always wonder why restaurants sometimes bag cold items with hot items.

I didn't use the packet of granola provided as a topping; I just wanted to taste the combination of yogurt and fresh fruit as it is served. The fruit was submerged but still nice; there were a few strawberries and blueberries already mixed in. The vanilla yogurt was sweet and still cold and tasted sweeter than regular yogurt but didn't give the feeling of dessert; it felt like a breakfast side.

This wasn't bad, but it's so plain and unexciting that I wondered who might order this when there is a full menu of things to opt for instead. The health-conscious might be the intended customer, and it does contain 13 grams of protein, but at 35 grams of carbohydrates and only a gram of fiber, anyone on a low-carb diet might choose to get Chick-fil-A's fruit cup instead.

I often think: What happened to the basic fast food side salad? I remember a time when they were always available at drive-thrus. They were ample-sized, affordable, and satisfying on a hot day, or when you wanted something light when everyone else in the group wanted a heavy meal.

Chick-fil-A's side salad brought me back to those days, even down to the shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses. It's also got grape tomatoes, bell peppers, and red and green lettuce. You can also add in crispy red bell peppers, which is a very interesting touch.

The lettuce and tomatoes were crisp and fresh; much better than I was expecting from a drive-thru fast food chain salad. I used the Avocado Lime Ranch dressing. It had a mild tanginess, but the ranch flavor was non-existent. All in all, this was a great salad, and one I would order again.

My doctor would probably give me a gold star for ordering a fruit cup at a drive-thru. He'd take it back if he knew what the main dish was. But I wouldn't sell this Chick-fil-A side short. Yes, it's a bit boring, but it's a nice alternative for health-conscious fast foodies looking to cut back on extras. And this Chick-fil-A dish is available all day long, not just for breakfast. 

I won't say this dish is extraordinary; I mean, it's a bunch of fresh fruit in a cup. In fact, I got the medium, which contains zero fat and zero sodium with only 16 carbohydrates. I took a bite of every piece of fruit, and it was very fresh. I especially loved the crisp green apple chunks. They were sweet with a bit of tang, which helped even out the sweetness of the strawberries and blueberries.

I also liked that nothing was mealy or mushy. I could get one piece of every fruit on my fork, which allowed for a fruit cocktail vibe. Overall, this was a refreshing change to a traditional side, and although I don't think it's great paired with a Chick-fil-A sandwich, I'm glad the option is available for people who want more variety in their combo.

Certain times of the year are perfect for a nice hearty cup of soup, but why limit yourself? Chick-fil-A offers its chicken noodle variety year-round, and if you're on the fence about getting a soup from a drive-thru fast food chain, allow me to influence you a little.

I'm not a big fan of chicken noodle soup — it reminds me of being sick in bed, or my grandmother's version which included boiling a whole chicken and sometimes accidentally including some stewed bones. Canned chicken noodle soups are just too sloppy for me. But I was impressed with Chick-fil-A's version. It's not my favorite off the sides menu, but it wasn't the worst.

The noodles were still toothsome, unlike some other brands where they become broth-logged and soft. The flavor of the broth was good, and the chicken tasted as if it had come off a rotisserie. It was just a tad too salty for my taste, but overall, it's better than canned and manages to give off fall vibes anytime of the year.

Unlike Chick-fil-A's Original Flavor Waffle Potato Chips that I think are redundant given the chain's well-known fresh option, the Sauce Flavored Waffle Potato Chips are unique. They are different than anything on the market. Once you open the bag, you get a strong smell of that Chick-fil-A sauce, which is sweet with a kind of eggy undertone. It's a bit off-putting at first but shouldn't throw you off.

I put one into my mouth and instantly that familiar taste of sauce pushed up toward the roof of my mouth and into my nostrils. These are great in a snack kind of way. I could see buying these at a gas station as a road trip snack or even Target for movie night.

The chips are shaped like Chick-fil-A's famous Waffle Potato Fries, and are about the size of a Ruffles. I didn't find them to be too salty. What I really liked was that 'special sauce' flavor didn't pound me over the head. It wasn't subtle, but it wasn't the main character either. These would be good with your favorite dip, or, if you're like me and put chips in your sandwich, you might discover a new level unlocked.

Perhaps Chick-fil-A's second most famous menu item is its Waffle Potato Fries. They look more like an empty tic-tac-toe grid rather than an actual waffle in my opinion, but that's neither here nor there. When you first get them, the smell makes your taste buds salivate. They have this comfy aroma which, like in old cartoons, picks you up by your nostrils and drags you to the bag. It smells like fresh oil and warm potatoes mixed with a dusting of salt. I think I've only experienced this kind of reaction one other time with KFC's potato wedges.

Thankfully, the fries were still warm because they still had a crunch on the outside and were soft and pillowy on the inside. I think these two textures make for the perfect batch of fries. I also like when fries are baked, but the Wonder Twin powers of a crisp and tender waffle fry are kismet to me.

These weren't too salty, and I found myself eating one at a time rather than shoving as much as my forefingers and thumb could grab from a traditional french fry sleeve. Dip them into the sweet magic liquid known as Chick-fil-A special sauce, and I think you'll find the combo nearly euphoric.

Mac and cheese and I have a long and sordid relationship. I have been eating it ever since I was old enough to feed myself, and Chick-fil-A's version is definitely one of the better fast food recipes I have had.

It wasn't until I was in my 20s that I found out mac and cheese didn't have to come in a box with electric orange powder. I'm from California, where in my household Southern food either came in a TV dinner or in a trip to Disneyland. I can't remember the first time I had macaroni and cheese that was baked, but I do know it broadened my culinary tastes and it might have been my first time stepping outside of processed food; maybe even my first time hearing the words "shelf stable." Chick-fil-A introduced its baked Mac & Cheese in 2019, and it's maybe the best I've tasted offered through any drive-thru window.

I got the medium size, and I immediately noticed a crisp top layer, and it had that familiar smell of warmth and comfort. The taste of cheddar cheese really came through; sharp but not too pungent. The baked version changes the texture of the cheese; it's firmer and creates flavorful pockets. I found it to be saltier than I like, but this is a dish that would make a great pairing with any of Chick-fil-A's main dishes.

One of my favorite things to do in life is eat fast food. I love that it's fun and each restaurant tries to outdo the other via menu wars. Product tie-ins, movie collabs, and IP partnerships are all a part of my amusement. And I get a meal to boot. Chick-fil-A seems to sidestep the glitz of it all. In my opinion, the chain makes delicious food.

So when I took the assignment to test its sides, I was excited. I often forget about that side of the digital menu, and this was the perfect time to visit it.

First, I based my review on the presentation of the items. I didn't want it to be packaged like a second thought. Next, of course, the flavor, and then finally, my own personal history of the food: Did Chick-fil-A do it better, worse, or uniquely? All of these things factored into where they were placed on the list.