The 20 Best Fast Food Sides Ever, Ranked
Crunchy, cheesy, salty, or sweet, fast food sides have a special way of stealing the show. They are the ultimate partners in crime to your burger, taco, or nugget obsession.
From crispy fries to unexpected delights, some sides rise above the rest, making every meal unforgettable.
Get ready to discover the tastiest companions that turn quick bites into crave-worthy feasts with flavors you won’t stop thinking about anytime soon.
1. McDonald’s World Famous Fries
Golden, crispy, and practically impossible to stop eating once you start. McDonald’s fries have that magical balance of salt and potato that keeps us coming back decade after decade.
The secret lies in their unique cooking method and that special blend of oils. Rumor has it they used to cook them in beef tallow, which explains why nothing else quite tastes the same.
2. Arby’s Curly Fries
Spiraled to perfection, Arby’s Curly Fries deliver a seasoned crunch that regular straight-cut fries can only dream about.
The ridged texture holds onto that signature orange-hued spice blend that tingles your taste buds.
Each bite offers a different experience – some parts extra crispy, others wonderfully tender. Nothing beats the satisfaction of pulling apart a particularly long curly fry before devouring it.
3. Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries
Waffle-cut perfection that somehow manages to stay crispy longer than any other fast food fry.
The criss-cross pattern isn’t just for show – it creates more surface area for that golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside tender.
What makes these truly special is how they taste freshly made even during rush hour. Pair them with Chick-fil-A sauce and you’ve got a combination that borders on life-changing.
4. Taco Bell Nacho Fries
Mexican-inspired genius in french fry form. These bold, seasoned fries come dusted with a spicy blend that makes regular fries seem downright boring.
The real magic happens when you dip them in that warm nacho cheese sauce.
Taco Bell knew exactly what they were doing when they created this limited-time offering that keeps making comebacks. The internet practically throws a party every time these return to the menu.
5. KFC Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Comfort food at its fast-food finest. KFC’s mashed potatoes hit that perfect creamy consistency – not too lumpy, not too smooth – topped with a ladle of peppery brown gravy that soaks in just right.
The beauty lies in their simplicity. While other sides try to reinvent the wheel, KFC sticks to what works: potatoes, butter, and that signature gravy. For many fans, the chicken is just an excuse to order these.
6. In-N-Out Animal Style Fries
Secret menu royalty that became so popular they couldn’t keep it secret anymore. Crispy fries smothered in melted cheese, grilled onions, and thousand island spread create a fork-required masterpiece.
The combination of textures makes these irresistible – the soft, caramelized onions against the cheese and crisp potatoes.
Sure, they get soggy fast, but that first perfect bite is worth every second of the inevitable mess.
7. Culver’s Wisconsin Cheese Curds
Midwestern magic in every bite. These little nuggets of breaded, deep-fried cheese curds deliver that satisfying squeak between your teeth that cheese lovers dream about.
Made with real Wisconsin white and yellow cheddar, they put mozzarella sticks to shame.
The light, crispy breading gives way to melty, stretchy cheese that pulls apart in the most Instagram-worthy way possible.
8. Popeyes Cajun Fries
Louisiana flavor packed into every crispy bite. Popeyes doesn’t just season the outside of their fries – they seem to infuse that distinctive Cajun spice blend straight into the potato.
The skin-on style gives these fries rustic appeal, while the spice level builds pleasantly as you work your way through an order.
Perfectly paired with their buttermilk ranch for cooling relief between those spicy bites.
9. Sonic Tater Tots
Nostalgia in potato form. Sonic’s tots achieve that impossible balance – shatteringly crisp exteriors giving way to fluffy, pillowy interiors that school cafeteria tots could only aspire to.
The bite-sized nature makes them perfect for popping while driving. Order them with cheese, and they transform into something even more special.
Bonus points for how they maintain their crunch even during lengthy car rides.
10. Five Guys Cajun Style Fries
Potato overload in the best possible way. Five Guys starts with fresh-cut potatoes fried in peanut oil, then showers them with a zingy Cajun spice blend that turns up the heat just right.
The generous portion comes in a cup but inevitably spills over into the bag, creating that signature greasy-in-a-good-way paper sack.
Hand-cut thickness means some fries are crispy, some are soft – a textural adventure in every serving.
11. Chick-fil-A Mac & Cheese
Surprisingly gourmet for a fast food joint. Chick-fil-A’s Mac & Cheese arrived late to their menu but immediately claimed elite status with its blend of cheeses and that perfect baked-in crust on top.
The pasta keeps its bite instead of turning to mush. A mix of sharp cheddar, parmesan, and other cheeses creates depth you wouldn’t expect from drive-thru fare.
The portion size might seem small, but the richness makes it just right.
12. Burger King Onion Rings
Sweet onion circles wrapped in a distinctive breading that’s unlike any other fast food offering.
BK’s rings have that satisfying crunch followed by the soft, sweet onion that sometimes pulls out whole with the first bite.
The slightly sweet batter sets these apart from typical onion rings. Perfect for dipping in zesty sauce or – as true fans know – stacking on top of your Whopper for the ultimate burger upgrade.
13. Wendy’s Chili
Hearty, beefy, and somehow both comforting and exciting at once. Wendy’s transforms yesterday’s hamburger meat into today’s satisfying chili – perhaps the most brilliant recycling program in fast food history.
Loaded with beans, tomatoes, and a secret blend of spices, it stands as one of the few fast food sides that could qualify as a meal on its own.
A packet of crackers and a dab of hot sauce takes this side into legendary territory.
14. Shake Shack Cheese Fries
Crinkle-cut perfection draped in a special cheddar sauce that puts stadium nachos to shame.
Shake Shack elevates the humble cheese fry with a sauce that tastes like actual cheese rather than neon-colored mystery goo.
The thick-cut, ridged fries provide the perfect vehicle for that cheese sauce.
The crinkles catch and hold the cheese in every bite. Simple but executed with the quality that’s become Shake Shack’s calling card.
15. Sonic Onion Rings
Sweet onion slices in a crispy, light batter that shatters just right when you bite into them. Sonic’s rings have a distinct flavor profile – slightly sweeter than most – that pairs perfectly with their signature sauces.
The size consistency is impressive – not too thick, not too thin. Each ring holds together when you bite in, avoiding that awkward moment when the whole onion slides out of the breading.
A true carhop classic worth hitting the red button for.
16. Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
Cubed potatoes fried to crispy perfection, then loaded with nacho cheese and sour cream. These potatoes somehow manage to stay crisp even under their blanket of toppings.
Vegetarians know these as the secret MVP of Taco Bell’s menu. The contrast between the hot, crispy potatoes and the cool sour cream creates a temperature and texture party in your mouth.
Pro move: Ask for extra cheese and a side of creamy jalapeño sauce.
17. Arby’s Mozzarella Sticks
Crunchy on the outside, gloriously stretchy on the inside. Arby’s elevated the humble mozzarella stick to art form status with their perfectly seasoned breading and consistently melty cheese.
The marinara dipping sauce adds that perfect tangy complement to the rich cheese.
Unlike many fast food cheese sticks that disappoint with barely-there cheese centers, Arby’s version delivers that Instagram-worthy cheese pull with every bite.
18. Zaxby’s Fried White Cheddar Bites
Southern charm in cheese form. These little nuggets of fried white cheddar deliver a sharper, more complex flavor than typical mozzarella sticks, with a peppery breading that adds character.
The irregular shapes make each bite different – some crunchier, some cheesier.
Dipped in Zaxby’s signature Zax Sauce, they transform into an addictive flavor bomb that’s hard to share. The portion size is generous enough to make these a meal on their own.
19. Jack in the Box Potato Wedges
Hefty potato boats with crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors that put regular fries to shame. These wedges offer serious substance – you know you’re eating real potato with each substantial bite.
The seasoning hits all the right notes – salt, pepper, and a hint of something that might be garlic.
Perfect for dipping in ketchup or ranch, but flavorful enough to enjoy plain. They’re the unsung heroes of late-night drive-thru runs.
20. Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoons
Crispy wonton wrappers folded around a creamy center of cream cheese and subtle green onion. These crunchy triangles from Panda Express bring a textural contrast that’s downright addictive.
The slightly sweet cream cheese filling balances perfectly with the savory wrapper. Dip them in sweet and sour sauce for the full experience.
While not traditional Chinese cuisine, they’ve earned their place in American fast food history as a must-order side.