6 Georgia Chains Serving Onion Rings Locals Say Are The Real Deal
Georgia knows its way around comfort food, and nothing complements a juicy burger or crispy chicken like a perfect onion ring.
I’ve spent years sampling these golden hoops across the Peach State, and let me tell you – not all onion rings are created equal.
From gas station gems to burger joints that’ll make you weak in the knees, these seven Georgia chains have mastered the art of the onion ring, earning devoted local followings and my personal stamp of approval.
1. The Varsity’s Legendary Loops
Last summer, I pulled into The Varsity’s iconic drive-in and ordered what might be Georgia’s most famous onion rings. These orange-hued beauties have been a staple since 1928, and one bite explains their staying power. The secret lies in their unique batter – slightly sweet with a hint of cornmeal that creates that signature crunch.
Locals will tell you to dip them in the house specialty, a tangy yellow mustard sauce that cuts through the richness perfectly. The Varsity doesn’t mess around with pre-frozen nonsense either – these rings are hand-cut daily.
Whether you’re visiting the original downtown Atlanta location or one of their other spots, ordering a “heavy weight” (their lingo for a large portion) is practically required by Georgia state law. Well, not really – but fellow Georgians might look at you funny if you don’t!
2. Grindhouse Burgers’ Crispy Companions
Holy moly, these rings changed my life! Grindhouse Burgers serves up what I consider the perfect balance between batter and onion. My first encounter with these golden halos happened at their Piedmont Road location, where the bartender convinced me to try them alongside my Apache burger.
What makes them special is the beer batter – light and airy yet substantial enough to hold its shape. The onions inside maintain that perfect texture where they don’t slide out embarrassingly when you take a bite.
Grindhouse doubles down on flavor by seasoning both the batter and the finished product. A sprinkle of their house spice blend adds a subtle kick that pairs beautifully with their roasted garlic aioli. Pro tip: these beauties are fried to order, so they’re always worth the short wait.
3. Zaxby’s Southern-Style Circles
Remember when fast food wasn’t a guilty pleasure? Zaxby’s onion rings take me straight back to childhood road trips when Dad would pull over at the Athens-born chicken chain. Their rings have that quintessential Southern-style crunch – the kind that announces itself to everyone in the room when you bite down.
Unlike some chains that treat onion rings as an afterthought, Zaxby’s gives these babies the respect they deserve. The batter has a distinct peppery kick that sets them apart from competitors. They’re thick-cut too, giving you that satisfying onion-to-breading ratio that makes you feel like you’re eating something substantial.
Forget ketchup – these rings were born to be dunked in Zaxby’s Zax Sauce, a tangy, slightly spicy mayo-based concoction. Even when I’m craving their famous chicken fingers, I can’t leave without a side of these crispy delights.
4. Wings & Things’ Hand-Dipped Delights
“You haven’t lived until you’ve tried these,” my cousin Mack declared before dragging me to Wings & Things during a family reunion in Macon. Boy, was he right! These aren’t your typical fast-food onion rings – they’re hand-dipped treasures that put the chain on Georgia’s culinary map.
The batter contains a hint of cayenne that gives each ring a subtle warmth without overwhelming your taste buds. What really blew me away was discovering they soak their onions in buttermilk before battering them. This little step makes all the difference, creating an impossibly tender interior.
Wings & Things serves their rings stacked high like a golden tower, and watching the steam rise off a fresh batch is practically a religious experience. Paired with their housemade ranch (which they’ll give you extra of if you just ask nicely), these rings have ruined me for all others.
5. Shane’s Rib Shack’s Backyard BBQ Rings
Shane’s Rib Shack might be known for their fall-off-the-bone ribs, but their onion rings deserve their own spotlight. My first Shane’s experience happened after a Braves game – we were hunting for comfort food, and these rings delivered big time. The McDonough-born chain treats their onion rings like the BBQ royalty they are.
What makes them special? The batter contains a hint of brown sugar and smoked paprika that complements their BBQ lineup perfectly. Each ring maintains that crucial structural integrity – no sad, empty shells of batter here! The onion stays put until you decide it’s time to take a bite.
Shane’s serves their rings with a side of their signature sauce, a tangy-sweet concoction that elevates them from side dish to main event. These aren’t dainty gourmet rings either – they’re hefty, honest-to-goodness comfort food that reminds you why Georgia is a culinary powerhouse.
6. Mrs. Winner’s Chicken & Biscuits’ Old-School Classics
Grandma used to bribe me with Mrs. Winner’s onion rings when I’d help her with grocery shopping. This Georgia-born chain might be famous for their fried chicken, but their onion rings have a cult following that spans generations. These aren’t fancy gourmet rings – they’re honest, old-school comfort food at its finest.
The batter has that distinctive Southern cornmeal crunch that makes a satisfying sound with every bite. Mrs. Winner’s doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel – they simply perfect the classics. The onions are sliced thicker than most chains, giving you that perfect balance between vegetable and crispy coating.
What really sets them apart is the consistency. Whether you’re visiting their original Atlanta location or one of their other Georgia spots, the rings taste exactly the same – perfectly golden and piping hot. Sometimes nostalgia really does taste as good as you remember.