7 Florida Chain Restaurants Where The Onion Rings Are The Main Event
Who doesn’t love biting into a perfectly crispy, golden onion ring? While French fries often take center stage, there’s something undeniably satisfying about a well-made onion ring, crunchy on the outside, sweet and tender on the inside.
After years of crisscrossing the Sunshine State on a mission for the ultimate onion ring experience, I can confidently say that Florida has some serious contenders.
From beloved fast-food chains to local steakhouses that treat sides like royalty, these seven spots elevate onion rings from afterthought to spotlight-worthy. If you’re craving crunchy perfection, these Florida favorites absolutely deserve your full attention.
1. Burger King’s Royal Rings
Last Tuesday, I pulled into a Burger King after a long beach day, craving something crispy. Their onion rings hit differently than other fast-food offerings, that distinctive flame-grilled crunch and satisfying thickness make them worth the trip alone.
Florida BK locations once tested a genius combo called “Fries n’ Rings” (later renamed “Have-sies”) that blended both sides into one perfect order. My nephew calls them “donut fries” and always steals half my order.
The secret to their deliciousness? A light, savory breading that complements rather than overwhelms the sweet onion inside. Perfect for dipping in their zesty sauce!
2. Cheeburger Cheeburger’s Retro Ring Experience
Walking into Cheeburger Cheeburger feels like stepping into a 1950s diner, complete with pink walls and vintage ads. This Florida-founded chain knows its way around a proper onion ring!
Their rings arrive stacked high like a golden tower, with a crispy exterior that audibly crunches when bitten. Once while visiting their original location, I challenged my brother to an onion ring eating contest. He won, but I maintain the moral victory since I savored mine properly.
What makes these rings special is their authentic taste, real onions with just enough breading to create that perfect crispy-to-sweet balance that pairs wonderfully with their hand-spun milkshakes.
3. Outback Steakhouse’s Bloomin’ Masterpiece
My first Bloomin’ Onion experience happened during a family reunion in Tampa. While technically not traditional rings, this iconic deep-fried creation deserves special recognition, a whole onion transformed into hundreds of crispy petals that pull apart with satisfying ease.
The outer coating achieves the perfect crunch-to-onion ratio, and that spicy bloom sauce adds a kick that elevates the entire experience. No wonder they sell over 7 million annually!
Pro tip: Ask for extra sauce. The table always empties the first container before you’re halfway through the onion. I’ve seen family feuds start over the last few petals!
4. Sonny’s BBQ’s Smoky Southern Circles
Nothing complements slow-smoked meats like a side of perfectly fried onion rings! Sonny’s BBQ, born right here in Florida, serves up rings with a distinctive southern twist that keeps me coming back.
The batter contains a hint of their signature BBQ seasoning, creating rings that taste uniquely Sonny’s. My cousin from California visits Florida just for these, she claims they’re worth the cross-country flight.
The thickness strikes the perfect balance, substantial enough to hold their shape but not so thick that the onion becomes overwhelming. Paired with their Sweet BBQ sauce for dipping, these rings elevate any barbecue feast from good to unforgettable.
5. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Game-Day Rings
Football Sundays at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s have become something of a tradition for my fantasy league. While the Tampa-headquartered sports pub offers plenty of shareables, their onion rings consistently win MVP status at our table.
These rings strike the perfect balance between pub-style heartiness and delicate crispiness. The batter adheres perfectly to each onion slice, creating a seamless bite every time.
What makes them stand out is their versatility, equally delicious on their own, dipped in ranch, or piled high on their famous burgers as an add-on. The outer coating stays crispy even during overtime, a rare quality that true onion ring enthusiasts appreciate!
6. O’Charley’s Battered Beauties
My first taste of O’Charley’sbattered onion rings happened after a long day at Disney World. Exhausted and hungry, these golden circles revived my spirits instantly!
The batter creates microscopic air pockets that make these rings impossibly light and crispy. You can actually see the difference, they have a distinctive, almost lacy appearance that sets them apart from standard offerings.
Florida locations serve them piping hot, with a satisfying crunch that gives way to perfectly cooked sweet onion. The subtle malty flavor from the batter pairs wonderfully with their burgers and steaks. Even my ring-skeptical mother-in-law couldn’t resist stealing a few from my plate!
7. Popeyes’ Surprise Contender Rings
Hidden gem alert! While everyone raves about Popeyes’ chicken sandwich (rightfully so), their onion rings deserve serious recognition. I discovered them by accident when a drive-thru mix-up added them to my order, best mistake ever!
Unlike some fast-food rings that taste processed, Popeyes uses real onion slices with a substantial thickness. The seasoned batter provides that signature Louisiana kick we’ve come to expect from the chain.
The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the tender, sweet onion creates a textural masterpiece. Florida locations seem to fry them perfectly every time, never greasy, always crisp. They’ve become my secret menu favorite, worth seeking out even when chicken was my original mission!