USA TODAY 10Best
Crazy good: 10 fast food sides that will blow your mind
Best Fast Food Sides (2023)
Sure, french fries are great, but why stop there? The inventive minds behind fast food restaurants are constantly dreaming up new side dishes. Whether it's perfected comfort food, a clever twist on a longtime favorite, or a combination you never could've seen coming, these sides are often the main reason we pull into the drive-thru.
10Best's editors and a panel of fast food experts compiled a short list of their top sides – beyond fries, of course – and readers voted for their favorites.
Here are the 10 best fast food sides.
- Cajun fried corn - Wingstop
- Tempura green beans - The Habit Burger Grill
- Mozzarella sticks - Arby's
- Fried pickles - Zaxby's
- Onion rings - Jack in the Box
- Tots - Sonic Drive-In
- Mac and cheese - Chick-fil-A
- Chili - Wendy's
- Wisconsin cheese curds - Culver's
- Fried okra - Golden Chick
Photo courtesy of Wingstop
No. 10:
Cajun fried corn is corn on the cob seasoned with Cajun spices and then fried to achieve a crispy texture. Found only at Wingstop, this unique side adds a spicy and flavorful kick to any meal at this popular fast-food restaurant.
Photo courtesy of shironosov // Getty Images
No. 9:
The tempura green beans at The Habit Burger Grill are a popular complement to the beloved charbroiled burgers at this bicoastal fast food chain. Made by dipping fresh green beans in a tempura batter and then deep-frying them, this unique side combines the crispness of tempura with the fresh flavor of green beans and is served with ranch dipping sauce.
Photo courtesy of Arby's
No. 8:
Deep-fried to a crispy, golden brown with a gooey melted cheese center and served with a marinara sauce for dipping, Arby's cheese sticks are a perennial favorite side item. Ordered alone or with their well-loved roast beef sandwiches, they offer a satisfying crunch.
Photo courtesy of Zaxby's
No. 7:
With their satisfying combination of crunch and tang, Zaxby's fried pickles are one of the best-known and most-asked-for menu items. This unusual side that's served with ranch sauce is the perfect complement to chicken fingers or a signature sandwich.
Photo courtesy of Jack In The Box
No. 6:
Raved about for their large size and crispy exterior, the onion rings at Jack in the Box are a real crowd-pleaser. Diners also love the seasoned coating and the quality of the onions themselves that soften and caramelize, resulting in an optimal combination of sweet and savory.
Photo courtesy of SONIC Drive-In
No. 5:
A classic comfort food, the tots available at Sonic Drive-In offer a satisfying combination of soft potato interior and a crispy exterior. In addition, you can customize your tots with cheese, chili, onions, and jalapeno toppings or pair them with one of Sonic's popular dipping sauces.
Photo courtesy of TheCrimsonMonkey // Getty Images
No. 4:
Chick-fil-A's classic take on mac and cheese is a real crowd-pleaser, featuring a creamy blend of parmesan, cheddar, and Romano cheeses and a crispy top layer of baked cheese.
Photo courtesy of Pheelings Media // Getty Images
No. 3:
Made with fresh, never frozen beef, Wendy's hearty, flavorful chili is a time-tested favorite. Enjoy it as a side with one of the restaurant's beloved baked potatoes or as a whole meal.
Photo courtesy of Culver Franchising
No. 2:
Highlighting the cheese making heritage of their home state, the Wisconsin cheese curds at Culver's are a popular and iconic menu item. Using fresh yellow and white cheese from Wisconsin, the curds are coated in a light batter and deep-fried to add a satisfying crunch to the exterior while preserving the creamy texture of the cheese curds inside.
Photo courtesy of Golden Chick
No. 1:
Diners rave about the fried okra offered at Golden Chick. Consisting of breaded and deep-fried okra, they achieve the perfect combination of a crunchy, savory exterior and soft, earthy-tasting interior, making this a popular version of this Southern-style side dish.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home... Read More
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Maggie Tuten Tyner
Maggie wasn't born in Greenville, S.C., but she... Read More
Maggie wasn't born in Greenville, S.C., but she was certainly raised here, having called this her home for the last 20+ years. She even graduated from local Furman University and went to work as an editor for 10Best shortly thereafter. Her daydreams come mainly in the form of screenplays and novels, and her free time is spent watching movies, enjoying the gorgeous surrounding foothills or exploring the Greenville food scene — almost always alongside her husband.
Maggie Tuten Tyner
Maggie wasn't born in Greenville, S.C., but she was certainly raised here, having called this her home for the last 20+ years. She even graduated from local Furman University and went to work as an editor for 10Best shortly thereafter. Her daydreams come mainly in the form of screenplays and novels, and her free time is spent watching movies, enjoying the gorgeous surrounding foothills or exploring the Greenville food scene — almost always alongside her husband.
Nancy Luna
Nancy Luna is a correspondent for Insider's Retail... Read More
Nancy Luna is a correspondent for Insider's Retail desk. She covers food tech solutions and disruptors in the restaurant and grocery industries, including Instacart, Reef Technology, Kitchen United, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, Gopuff, Olo, and Toast. Nancy has covered the restaurant beat since 2005. She's written about the nation's top brands, including McDonald's, Taco Bell, Chili's, Subway, Pizza Hut, KFC, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Domino's, Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Burger King, Wendy's, and In-N-Out Burger. Before coming to Insider in 2020, Nancy previously worked as a senior editor and tech editor at Nation's Restaurant News. While there, Nancy covered a variety of topics – operations, e-commerce, emerging brands, delivery, automation, ghost kitchens, and virtual brands. Before NRN, Nancy was a business writer at The Orange County Register, where she penned the nationally known blog, Fast Food Maven, from 2007 to 2012. She covered the Southern California grocery strikes, the Great Recession's impact on the restaurant industry, and emerging fast-casual and chef-driven brands.
Nancy Luna
Nancy Luna is a correspondent for Insider's Retail desk. She covers food tech solutions and disruptors in the restaurant and grocery industries, including Instacart, Reef Technology, Kitchen United, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, Gopuff, Olo, and Toast. Nancy has covered the restaurant beat since 2005. She's written about the nation's top brands, including McDonald's, Taco Bell, Chili's, Subway, Pizza Hut, KFC, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Domino's, Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Burger King, Wendy's, and In-N-Out Burger. Before coming to Insider in 2020, Nancy previously worked as a senior editor and tech editor at Nation's Restaurant News. While there, Nancy covered a variety of topics – operations, e-commerce, emerging brands, delivery, automation, ghost kitchens, and virtual brands. Before NRN, Nancy was a business writer at The Orange County Register, where she penned the nationally known blog, Fast Food Maven, from 2007 to 2012. She covered the Southern California grocery strikes, the Great Recession's impact on the restaurant industry, and emerging fast-casual and chef-driven brands.
Quang Hong
Quang is the editor/founder of BrandEating.com, a... Read More
Quang is the editor/founder of BrandEating.com, a blog mainly focused on fast food news and reviews since 2008, which is to say he's eaten and reviewed more fast food than most.
Quang Hong
Quang is the editor/founder of BrandEating.com, a blog mainly focused on fast food news and reviews since 2008, which is to say he's eaten and reviewed more fast food than most.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
