10 New York Chains Serving Onion Rings Worth Every Bite
New York’s food scene may be famous for pizza, bagels, and deli sandwiches, but there’s another golden treat that deserves its moment in the spotlight: onion rings.
I’ve always had a soft spot for them—the perfect ones arrive piping hot, with a crispy, golden crust that gives way to a sweet, tender onion inside. That first crunch followed by the burst of flavor is pure magic.
After years of tasting my way across the Empire State, I’ve finally compiled my ultimate list of chain restaurants that truly deliver. These spots have mastered the art of this humble side dish, turning it into something unforgettable.
1. Nathan’s Famous: Coney Island Classics
Golden hoops of heaven await at the iconic Nathan’s Famous! While most folks line up for hot dogs, I nearly fainted when I first bit into their onion rings. The batter has this magical crispiness that somehow stays intact even after the long boardwalk stroll.
What makes these rings special is their thickness – substantial enough to satisfy but not so bulky that the onion slides out in one bite. The seasoning has hints of pepper that complement the sweet onion perfectly.
Fun fact: Nathan’s has been serving these beauties since 1916, perfecting their recipe for over a century!
2. Ted’s Hot Dogs: Buffalo’s Secret Weapon
My aunt from Buffalo insisted I try Ted’s rings during a family reunion, and boy, was she right! Ted’s Hot Dogs creates onion rings that practically shimmer with a light, airy coating that shatters delightfully between your teeth.
The magic happens in their custom batter recipe, which they’ve guarded more carefully than Fort Knox since 1927. Unlike many chains, Ted’s slices their onions fresh daily, giving these rings an unmistakably farm-fresh sweetness.
The slight charring from their charcoal grills adds a smoky dimension you simply won’t find at other fast-food joints.
3. Junior’s: Brooklyn’s Ring Royalty
Cheesecake might be Junior’s claim to fame, but their onion rings deserve their own spotlight! Last summer, I stopped in for their famous dessert but ended up ordering a second batch of rings to go.
Junior’s uses sweet Vidalia onions, creating a milder, more luxurious ring experience. The batter has a distinct eggy richness that reminds me of French toast, creating this incredible savory-sweet combo.
Order them with a side of their special house sauce – a tangy, slightly spicy concoction that elevates these rings from great to unforgettable. The Brooklyn tradition since 1950 knows exactly what they’re doing!
4. Dallas BBQ: Jumbo-Sized Delights
Size matters at Dallas BBQ, where their Texas-sized onion rings arrive looking like golden bracelets! My jaw literally dropped when the server brought them to our table – each ring could practically fit around my wrist.
Despite their impressive dimensions, these rings maintain perfect structural integrity. The beer-based batter creates a robust crunch that stands up beautifully to their tangy BBQ sauce.
What I love most is how they manage to cook these giants evenly – no raw spots or burnt edges. Just consistent, golden-brown perfection that makes sharing nearly impossible, even though one order could feed a small family!
5. Bareburger: Organic Ring Revolution
Health-conscious ring lovers, rejoice! Bareburger’s organic onion rings completely changed my perspective on this traditionally indulgent treat. Using sweet organic Spanish onions and a gluten-free panko coating, these rings deliver guilt-free crunch without sacrificing flavor.
The rings arrive with three house-made dipping sauces – I’m particularly obsessed with their smoky chipotle mayo. What makes these truly special is the clean, pure onion taste that shines through without any greasy aftertaste.
My vegetarian friend who normally avoids fried foods makes an exception for these rings, calling them “the unicorns of the onion ring world” – rare, magical, and worth seeking out!
6. Royale: Lower East Side Ring Perfection
Hidden gem alert! Royale in the Lower East Side serves onion rings that haunt my dreams. While waiting for their famous burgers, I casually ordered rings as an appetizer – and nearly canceled my main course to order three more batches!
The secret lies in their double-dipping technique, creating a craggy, super-textured exterior that holds onto sauces beautifully. Each bite delivers an intensely satisfying crackle followed by melty, sweet onion goodness.
The rings come dusted with a house spice blend featuring smoked paprika and just a hint of cayenne, creating a warm, lingering finish that keeps your hand reaching back for “just one more” until the basket is empty.
7. 5 Napkin Burger: Beer-Battered Brilliance
True story: I once canceled a date because they didn’t want to split 5 Napkin Burger’s legendary onion rings with me. No regrets! These beer-battered beauties arrive stacked like a golden tower, practically begging to be photographed before devoured.
The batter contains a local IPA that creates microscopic air bubbles, resulting in the lightest, crispiest coating imaginable. Each ring maintains the perfect onion-to-batter ratio – substantial enough to satisfy but never overwhelming.
They serve them with a horseradish cream sauce that adds a sophisticated kick. Pro tip: Ask for them “extra crispy” and they’ll leave them in the fryer for 30 extra seconds of golden perfection!
8. BurgerFi: Crispy Hand-Cut Treasures
BurgerFi’s onion rings sparked an actual debate among my friends about whether they’re better than their excellent fries – that’s how good these hand-cut beauties are! Unlike many chains, BurgerFi slices whole onions daily in each location, creating rings with natural, irregular shapes that hold extra batter in the nooks and crannies.
The coating has a distinctive crunch that somehow stays crispy even during my 20-minute subway ride home. They use a proprietary seasoning blend that includes just a hint of sweetness, perfectly complementing the natural sugars in the onion.
My favorite dipping combination: half ketchup, half their garlic aioli, mixed together into the perfect sweet-savory sauce!
9. Stumble Inn: Bar-Style Ring Champions
Stumble Inn’s onion rings completely ruined me for all other bar food! These hefty rings arrive piled high in a metal basket, still sizzling from the fryer, releasing an aroma that turns every head at neighboring tables.
The batter contains a secret ingredient that took me three visits to identify: a splash of bourbon that caramelizes during frying, creating sweet, crunchy edges. The onions inside maintain a perfect al dente texture – cooked through but still with a slight firmness.
Watching sports at the bar? Their “Endless Rings Sundays” during football season might be the greatest invention since the forward pass. I’ve personally tested the “endless” claim. They’re not kidding!
10. The Habit Burger Grill: Tempura-Style Perfection
The first time I tried The Habit’s tempura onion rings, I actually called over the manager to compliment the chef! These aren’t your typical heavy, bready rings – they feature an impossibly light, crisp Japanese-inspired coating that shatters delicately with each bite.
The onions inside are sweet Maui varieties, creating a beautiful contrast between the savory batter and naturally sugary onion. Unlike many chain restaurants, The Habit fries each batch to order, so they always arrive piping hot and perfectly golden.
Their signature Habit sauce – a creamy, slightly tangy concoction – pairs perfectly with these delicate rings. I’ve been known to order extra sauce just to finish every last drop!