9 Ohio Chains Serving Notable Onion Rings
As an Ohio native, I’ve spent years hunting down the perfect onion ring – that ideal combination of crispy coating and tender onion that makes your taste buds sing.
When friends visit from out of state, I always make it my mission to show them that the Buckeye State knows its way around this classic side dish.
From drive-ins to burger joints, these nine Ohio chains are serving up onion rings worth writing home about.
1. Frisch’s Big Boy’s Crispy Golden Hoops
Last summer, I pulled into a Frisch’s after a long road trip across the state, craving something to satisfy my hunger. Their onion rings arrived at my table looking like golden halos – perfectly uniform circles with a distinctive crunch that echoed through the restaurant when I took my first bite. The batter has this subtle sweetness that complements the onion’s natural flavor instead of overpowering it.
Each ring maintains its structural integrity without that annoying thing where the whole onion slides out on the first bite. Frisch’s double-dips their rings in seasoned flour before frying, creating that signature texture that’s kept Ohioans coming back since 1939. Pair them with their tartar sauce for an unexpected flavor combination that somehow works brilliantly.
2. White Castle’s Mini Onion Chips
The first time I tried White Castle’s onion rings, I was caught off guard by their unique approach. Unlike traditional rings, these bite-sized morsels come as ‘chips’ – small, crispy medallions that provide the perfect onion-to-batter ratio in each bite. White Castle fries these little gems until they reach a deep amber color, creating an intensely satisfying crunch.
They’re perfect for dipping in ketchup or, if you’re adventurous like me, their zesty ranch sauce. What makes these particularly special is how they complement those famous sliders. The contrast between the soft, steamed buns of the burgers and the crispy texture of these onion chips creates a textural symphony. For just a couple bucks, you’ll get a surprisingly generous portion that’s perfect for sharing (though you might not want to).
3. Swensons Drive-In’s Nostalgic Rings
Pulling up to Swensons on a Friday night feels like time-traveling back to the 1950s. Car hops still sprint to your vehicle, and their onion rings arrive in a paper bag that immediately develops those satisfying grease spots – a sure sign of something delicious inside. Swensons doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel with their rings. Instead, they’ve perfected a classic style with a medium-thick cut onion and a batter that’s neither too thick nor too thin.
The slightly peppery coating clings perfectly to each sweet onion slice. What really sets these rings apart is their consistency. I’ve been ordering them for over a decade, and they’re identical every single time – a rarity in the fast food world. They pair perfectly with Swensons’ famous Galley Boy burger and a potato teezers side for the ultimate Ohio comfort meal.
4. Burger King’s Savory Ohio-Style Rings
I’ve eaten Burger King onion rings in three different states, but something about the Ohio locations just hits differently. Maybe it’s the water or some secret regional recipe tweak, but these rings have a distinct flavor profile you won’t find elsewhere. The coating has this addictive savory quality – almost like there’s a hint of chicken bouillon in the mix (though the staff just laughed when I tried to confirm my theory).
They’re consistently fried to that perfect point where the onion inside is fully cooked but still maintains a slight resistance when bitten. Ohio BK locations seem to serve these rings hotter and fresher than anywhere else I’ve visited. The portion size is generous enough to satisfy without filling you up completely. Pro tip: ask for a side of their zesty sauce and buffalo sauce, then mix them together for an amazing dipping experience.
5. Sonic’s Extra-Crunchy Battered Beauties
Desperate for relief, I pulled into a Sonic where the carhop delivered salvation in the form of their legendary onion rings and a cherry limeade. Sonic’s rings stand out for their substantial heft and extraordinary crunch factor. The batter contains cornmeal, giving them a distinctive texture that’s almost like biting into the crispiest fried chicken coating you can imagine.
These aren’t delicate rings – they’re robust enough to stand up to aggressive dipping. The onions inside remain juicy and sweet, creating that perfect hot-cold contrast when you bite through the crunchy exterior. Their substantial size means a medium order can easily satisfy two people. For the full experience, try them with Sonic’s signature ranch dressing or, if you’re feeling bold, their spicy jalapeño sauce.
6. Culver’s Handcrafted Farmhouse Rings
My Wisconsin friends always bragged about Culver’s, so when they finally expanded to Ohio, I made a beeline to try their famous onion rings. One bite and I understood the hype – these aren’t your average fast food rings. Culver’s uses whole sweet yellow onions, sliced daily in-house, then hand-battered in their signature breading. The result is a rustic-looking ring with irregular edges and a homestyle appearance that screams authenticity.
You can actually taste the quality of the onion itself – sweet and mild without that harsh raw bite inferior rings often have. The breading has this remarkable ability to stay crispy even as the rings cool down. They’re substantial enough to be a meal on their own, especially when paired with Culver’s housemade ranch dressing. The slight sweetness in the batter creates an almost addictive quality that keeps you reaching for just one more.
7. Smashburger’s Beer-Battered Haystack Rings
I stumbled upon Smashburger’s onion rings by accident when my usual order was unavailable. That happy mistake introduced me to what might be the most unique rings in the Buckeye State – their beer-battered haystack style rings that redefine what an onion ring can be. Unlike traditional rings, these come as a tangled mass of thin-sliced onions in a light, airy beer batter.
The thinness of each piece means maximum crispiness with every bite. You can actually taste hints of the beer in the batter, giving these rings a sophisticated flavor profile you wouldn’t expect from a fast-casual chain. The mountain of rings comes served in a metal basket that makes sharing easy, though you might not want to. They’re especially delicious when dipped in Smashburger’s chipotle mayo or paired with one of their Ohio-exclusive craft beer selections. These aren’t just onion rings – they’re an experience.
8. Dairy Queen’s Sweet-Battered Classics
Growing up in rural Ohio, the local Dairy Queen was our celebration spot. After every little league win, my team would crowd around plastic tables, devouring Blizzards and baskets of their distinctive onion rings. DQ’s rings have this uniquely sweet batter that almost tastes like there’s a hint of vanilla in the mix – though that might just be cross-contamination from all the ice cream in the building!
The contrast between that subtle sweetness and the savory onion creates a flavor combination that’s instantly recognizable to any Ohio kid who grew up with these treats. The texture is lighter than most fast food rings, with a delicate crispness rather than a heavy crunch. Each ring has a consistent medium thickness that ensures the onion cooks perfectly every time. They’re best enjoyed immediately while still hot, ideally between bites of a flame-broiled burger and sips of a chocolate malt.
9. Arthur Treacher’s Old-School Fish Camp Rings
Few things make me feel more nostalgic than walking into one of Ohio’s remaining Arthur Treacher’s locations. While most states lost this chain years ago, Ohio has kept the flame alive, along with their spectacular onion rings that taste like a seaside boardwalk in circular form. These rings feature the same distinctive batter used on their famous fish – a crunchy, almost flaky coating with a hint of malt vinegar built right in.
The batter creates these amazing little craggy bits that break off and become the perfect crunchy treasures at the bottom of the basket. The onions themselves are cut thicker than most chains, giving you a substantial bite that stands up to their robust batter. The slight tanginess in the coating pairs perfectly with their legendary tartar sauce. These rings haven’t changed in decades, proving that sometimes the classics don’t need improvement – they just need preservation.