6 Fast-Food Side Dishes That Are Actually Worth Ordering
When ordering fast food, the main dish usually gets the most attention. You choose your burger, chicken sandwich, or chicken tenders, then add a side without giving it much thought.
But the right side can bring something extra to a meal, whether that means a different shape, a more noticeable seasoning, or a completely different texture.
Some fast-food sides stand out because they offer more than another serving of potatoes. Others make sense because they complement the main meal without trying to steal the spotlight.
These six options from familiar American fast-food chains each have a reason to earn a place in your next order. This is an editorial selection, not a definitive ranking of every side on the market.
Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries
Sometimes, the shape of a familiar food is enough to make it more interesting. Chick-fil-A’s Waffle Potato Fries stand out because their waffle cut gives them a recognizable appearance that separates them from conventional straight-cut fries.
The chain describes them as potatoes cooked in canola oil and sprinkled with sea salt, with a crispy exterior and tender interior.
Their appeal is straightforward: they bring a different look to a familiar fast-food side without relying on elaborate toppings. They also fit naturally alongside the chain’s main dishes.
Daily Meal placed them third in its ranking of Chick-fil-A’s side dishes, with its reviewer highlighting their lightly crisp exterior and soft potato interior. If you want fries that offer a little visual character while keeping things simple, the waffle cut makes this option worth considering.
Popeyes Cajun Fries
For anyone who wants seasoning to play a more noticeable role in a side dish, Popeyes Cajun Fries deserve consideration. Popeyes describes them as crispy, seasoned Cajun fries, making the seasoning part of the product’s identity rather than treating the potatoes as an ordinary accompaniment. That gives them a different editorial appeal from fries chosen primarily for their shape.
The key reason to order them is the emphasis on seasoning. They offer an option for diners who want their side to have its own character alongside a main dish. There is no need to assume a particular level of heat or guess which spices are used to appreciate the concept. The seasoning is the defining feature, and that alone gives these fries a clear place on this list.
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Raising Cane’s Crinkle-Cut Fries
Not every side needs a complicated description to justify its place in a meal. Raising Cane’s Crinkle-Cut Fries take a more straightforward approach, offering a familiar potato side within a menu built around chicken meals and accompanying extras.
The fries are available individually as an extra and also appear in several combos, including The Box Combo, The Caniac Combo, and The 3 Finger Combo.
Their strength is how naturally they fit into that meal format. If you are ordering chicken and want a conventional potato side rather than another separate snack, they are an uncomplicated choice. This is not a claim that they outperform every other fry on the list. Instead, their appeal lies in providing a familiar accompaniment that fits the restaurant’s menu.
Culver’s Wisconsin Cheese Curds
If another order of potatoes sounds repetitive, Culver’s Wisconsin Cheese Curds offer a welcome change of direction. Rather than fries or mashed potatoes, this side features bite-sized pieces of cheddar cheese covered in breading and deep-fried until golden brown.
Culver’s says its standard cheese curds use unaged yellow and white Wisconsin cheddar, giving the item a clearly defined identity.
The biggest reason to consider them is variety. Cheese curds feel more like a separate snack than another potato accompaniment, making them an interesting alternative when you want something different alongside your main order.
On its Wisconsin Cheese Curds product page, Culver’s also identifies La Grander Hillside Dairy in Stanley, Wisconsin, as its exclusive cheese-curd supplier. For diners who want a break from the usual fries, this option brings a different ingredient and format to the table.
KFC Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Fried sides are not the only way to complete a fast-food meal. KFC’s Mashed Potatoes & Gravy provide a softer, spoonable alternative, with the chain describing the dish as creamy mashed potatoes topped with its signature brown gravy. That combination gives the side a different role from the fries and breaded cheese curds elsewhere on this list.
The appeal comes from its simple format. Instead of adding another fried item to your order, you can choose something served in a bowl that brings potatoes and gravy together. As Tasting Table explains in its look at how KFC’s mashed potatoes are made, the chain uses an instant mix rather than hand-mashing fresh potatoes.
That makes this a convenience-food take on a traditional comfort-food accompaniment, not a homemade-style preparation. Its place on this list is about offering a different texture and eating experience rather than beating the other sides in a taste test.
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Arby’s Curly Fries
Arby’s Curly Fries earn their place through one immediately recognizable feature: their shape. While many fast-food fries follow a familiar straight-cut format, these potatoes are sliced into curls before being fried. Arby’s highlights that curly preparation in its official product description, making the shape the clearest reason to choose this particular side.
That distinction matters when you want something familiar but not quite ordinary. The curls give the fries their own identity without requiring additional toppings or a complicated explanation. They also provide another option for anyone who wants fries but would rather skip the standard shape. If appearance and format influence your ordering decisions, Arby’s Curly Fries are an easy choice to consider.
Choosing the Right Side for Your Meal
The best side for your next fast-food order depends on what you want it to add. Chick-fil-A and Arby’s offer recognizable shapes, Popeyes puts seasoning at the center of its fries, and Raising Cane’s keeps things straightforward. Culver’s provides an alternative to potatoes with its Wisconsin Cheese Curds, while KFC offers a softer option with mashed potatoes and gravy.
Rather than treating every side as an automatic addition, consider which one brings something different to your meal. That small choice can make your next fast-food order feel a little more considered.
