11 Illinois Chains Frying Up Onion Rings Locals Swear By
Illinois has a love affair with onion rings, and it’s easy to see why. Bite into that golden crunch and you’ll understand why locals happily debate which spot does it best.
In Chicago, you’ll find baskets stacked high and perfectly seasoned, while small-town diners serve up rings that taste like pure comfort.
These chains have turned a humble onion into crispy, irresistible circles of happiness, and folks keep coming back for another round.
1. Portillo’s – The Jumbo Ring Champion
Chicago’s beloved hot dog haven serves up Jumbo Onion Rings that could practically qualify as dinner plates. These massive golden hoops arrive hot and crispy, begging to be dunked in Portillo’s famous cheese sauce.
Found at dozens of locations across Chicagoland, from Forest Park to Naperville, these rings have achieved legendary status. The thick-cut onions stay tender inside while maintaining that perfect crunch outside.
Smart diners order extra cheese sauce because one cup never seems enough for these oversized beauties.
2. Culver’s – Midwest Butter Burger Perfection
Whole white onions get the royal treatment at this butter burger paradise, sliced thick and battered to perfection. Culver’s onion rings earn their spot as the premium side option in Value Baskets across Illinois.
From Aurora to O’Fallon, these rings showcase the chain’s commitment to quality ingredients. The batter stays light while delivering satisfying crunch with every bite.
Pair them with any ButterBurger for the ultimate Midwest comfort food experience that locals have cherished for years.
3. Freddy’s Frozen Custard – Crispy Ring Specialists
Battered to crispy perfection, Freddy’s onion rings complement their famous steakburgers beautifully. Available in regular or large sizes, these rings pack a serious crunch factor.
With over 15 Illinois locations from Belleville to Glendale Heights, finding these golden gems stays easy. The light, crispy batter never overwhelms the sweet onion flavor inside.
Order them alongside a double steakburger for the complete Freddy’s experience that keeps customers returning week after week.
4. Brown’s Chicken – Chicago’s Fried Favorite Since 1949
Remember when my grandmother first took me to Brown’s in Palatine back in the day. Their onion rings paired perfectly with crispy chicken, creating memories that last decades.
This Chicago-born chain has been serving classic onion rings since 1949, perfecting their recipe across suburban locations like Carol Stream. The rings maintain that old-school charm with modern consistency.
Order any chicken meal and swap your side for these time-tested rings that have satisfied Illinois families for generations.
5. Superdawg Drive-In – Superonionchips Innovation
Forget traditional rings because Superdawg revolutionized the game with Superonionchips. These crispy onion pieces deliver all the flavor in convenient chip form.
Available at both historic locations on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago and Wheeling, these chips pair perfectly with their famous Superdawgs. The unique preparation method creates maximum surface area for extra crispiness.
This drive-in innovation proves that sometimes thinking outside the ring creates something even better than the original concept.
6. Rosati’s Pizza – Hand-Breaded Ring Appetizers
Pizza joints serving outstanding onion rings might seem unusual, but Rosati’s proves the combination works beautifully. Their hand-breaded rings make perfect appetizers before diving into deep-dish goodness.
Dozens of Illinois locations from Gurnee to St. Charles offer these crispy starters. The hand-breading process ensures each ring gets individual attention and consistent quality.
Order them before your sausage pie arrives, though fair warning – they might fill you up before the main event even begins.
7. Beef-A-Roo – Rockford’s Thick Ring Masters
Rockford area locals swear by these thick, battered beauties that complement roast beef sandwiches perfectly. Some locations even offer Wild West Beef topped with onion rings for double indulgence.
The thick batter creates substantial rings that hold up to hearty roast beef combinations. Multiple Illinois stores ensure Rockford metro residents never go without their ring fix.
Try the Big Roast Beef with onion rings on the side, or go bold with rings piled right on top of your sandwich.
8. Buona Beef – Italian Beef Ring Pairing
Last month, watching my coworker dunk Buona’s onion rings into cheese sauce opened my eyes to this perfect combination. Italian beef and onion rings create flavor harmony that makes sense.
This family-owned chain serves rings at dozens of Chicagoland locations, including Glen Ellyn and Mount Prospect. The rings work as sides or upcharge swaps in combo meals.
Always request extra cheese sauce because these rings practically demand that creamy, tangy accompaniment for maximum enjoyment and an authentic Buona experience.
9. Schoop’s Hamburgers – Sweet Ring Specialists
Region-style smashburgers meet sweet onion rings at Illinois outposts in Monee, Tinley Park, and Calumet City. These rings showcase natural onion sweetness through expert preparation.
The sweetness balances perfectly with savory mushroom and Swiss burgers, creating ideal flavor combinations. Order them as sides or get full baskets for sharing.
South and southwest suburb residents consider these rings essential accompaniments to Schoop’s signature smashburger experience that defines regional comfort food excellence.
10. White Castle – The Slider Ring Connection
Late-night cravings meet their match with White Castle’s onion rings alongside Crave Cases full of sliders. These crispy accompaniments complement those famous little burgers perfectly.
Statewide locations from Chicago suburbs to downstate ensure easy access to this classic combination. The rings provide textural contrast to soft slider buns and beef patties.
Order them with your Crave Case for the complete White Castle experience that has satisfied late-night hunger pangs for generations of Illinois residents.
11. A&W Restaurants – Root Beer Ring Tradition
Classic root beer floats deserve equally classic onion rings, and A&W delivers both with old-school charm. Their thick-cut rings often feature in combo meals across Illinois locations.
From North Aurora to Springfield, these rings maintain consistent quality and traditional preparation methods. The thick cuts ensure substantial onion presence in every crunchy bite.
Try the Bacon Double Cheeseburger combo with onion rings for the complete A&W experience that celebrates American drive-in culture and timeless flavor combinations.