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Onion Rings from a Chicken place? Yep, and they’re great!

You knew I wasn’t going to stop with those awesome Cajun Fries, and it just so happens Popeye’s also serves terrific onion rings. They’re not a regular menu item, and not all stores have them. Count your blessings if your local restaurant is one that does. I prefer these crunchy rings of onions to those at Whataburger, and their every bit as good as the Sonic versions I’m very fond of. They are coated with a thick batter which flakes away and crumbles with each bite. It’s a tasty mixture, plus it has a little something extra — a trace of the mild cajun spices from their other foods.

The onions are cut thin to medium-thick, perfect in my opinion for sweet flavor without being overpowering. They’re firm and juicy inside, not slimy. Despite being frozen, I’d swear they taste as fresh and flavorful as Sonic’s made from scratch rings.

Sizes generally range from large to extra large. Popeye’s even numbers the rings in each order, 6-piece or 10-piece. I’m not accustomed to seeing onion rings counted and labeled in such a way, like chicken pieces, but that’s not a problem. These are clearly a high quality product, and cost more to produce than some other options available. Each circle of crunchy, sweet, spicy onion goodness has value and worth in this system. You have to respect that. They’re proud of their rings.

The Onion Rings from Popeye’s are fantastic. I’m happily surprised. A chicken place is not where I typically expect to find onion rings, much less such delicious ones. It’s rare to see a chain who does both Fries and Rings so well. Good work Popeye’s.

Price: $1.99 (6-piece) / Website: Popeyes.com

Fast Food Critic Score: A

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Nutrition Facts - Popeye’s Onion Rings.

The company has not published nutrition information for this item. Fast Food Critic makes a point to supply the nutrition facts with with each review, and will update this once the info is available.

Popeye’s is often overshadowed by fast food chicken giant KFC. With 11,000+ stores compared to only 1,800 for Popeye’s, it’s no wonder. But while they finish a distant second in the numbers game, their neck and neck on quality. The menus and flavors are distinctively different, but the smaller chain based in New Orleans can hold it’s own against the Colonel, and in some cases win. One example is fries.

KFC has potato wedges which are decent enough, but they are too thick and soft to be eaten like regular fries. Popeye’s wins this category hands down, but not just because their fries are more typical in size and shape. They win because their Cajun Battered variety of the classic potato side order is delicious and awesomely satisfying.

Perhaps the most flavorful non-curly fries on the fast food market. The potatoes are cut medium-thin, and the skins are left on. The batter is put on thick, and loaded with mild spices. A freshly cooked order has the perfect balance of crispy tasty coating outside with tender warm potato inside. They definitely come closer to french fry nirvana than anything I expected from a chicken place. Indeed — damn good fries!

Seasoned fries don’t always work too well with ketchup or sauces, but these do. The flavor is terrific on it’s own, and it doesn’t need anything else, but it’s not so strong that it prevents other flavors from joining in the fun. It’s spicy, but mild and subtle.

I attempted to find out what exact seasoning is used, but they won’t tell me. I’m sure there’s garlic, pepper and paprika, but that’s where my search hit the magic ingredient simply known as “spices”. They aren’t about to give away the secret recipe, and of course that’s to be expected. I must remind myself of the line which exists between good journalism and being a nosy pain in the rear. I’m just here to review food.

The Cajun Battered Fries from Popeye’s are excellent. They’re delicious alone, and they also get along nicely with ketchup and BBQ sauce. But once you eat the first one, it’s rare the others last long enough to worry about choosing a dipping partner.

Price: $1.69 / Website: Popeyes.com

Fast Food Critic Score: A

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Nutrition Facts - Popeye’s Cajun Battered Fries.

Calories - 310
Calories from Fat - N/A
Total Fat - 17 grams
Carbs - 35 grams
Saturated Fat - 7 grams
Trans Fat - 1.0 grams
Cholesterol - 7 milligrams
Sodium - 660 milligrams
Protein - 4 grams

I like Arby’s but I’m not a fan of this particular side item. These deep fried triangles of potato look tasty enough at first glance, but it turns out they are very bland and unsatisfying. They taste like baked potato topping, without the potato. That doesn’t make sense, but that’s the problem. The potato filling lacks flavor, and the cheese and bacon that are supposed to compliment it aren’t able to fulfill their end of the bargain. Even the breading was a let down, failing to live up to it’s attractive outward appearance. The bacon pieces are OK when you get one. The cheese is not very tasty or cheesy, and it seems the amount of each ingredient is just enough to ensure that nothing stands out and everything blends together to create — bland mashed potatoes stuffed inside a pretty shell. I was ready to love these, but I am completely underwhelmed and unimpressed. I can’t see myself ordering them again, or having the desire to eat more. That’s the bottom line.

The Loaded Potato Bites from Arby’s are too bland for my taste. After eating them on multiple occasions, that impression has not changed. When eating at Arby’s I will be sticking to their awesome seasoned curly fries as my potato side order of choice.

Price: $2.59 / Website: Arbys.com

Fast Food Critic Score: D

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Nutrition Facts - Arby’s Loaded Potato Bites, 5 piece.

Calories - 353
Calories from Fat - 199
Total Fat - 22 grams
Carbs - 27 grams
Saturated Fat - 7 grams
Trans Fat - 0.5 grams
Cholesterol - 13 milligrams
Sodium - 800 milligrams
Protein - 11 grams

Messy — Greasy — but Good.

I like Sonic’s Tater Tots. I’m not crazy about the chili and cheese used on their foot long coney, but something really nice happens when you bring them together. This is a case of the ‘whole’ being greater than the sum of it’s individual parts.

Little loaves of warm potato, crispy and brown on the outside, soft, white and tender on the inside, covered with greasy chili and cheese. It’s salty, beefy and cheesy. You know it’s wrong, but it feels so right. This is the kind of stuff that’s perfect for a case of late night munchies after a long evening of partying with friends.

Unlike with the chili cheese dog, I usually end up scraping the sides of the paper container to get the last bits of chili and cheese once the tots are gone. There’s also nice little chunks of potato left clinging to the walls and mixed in, making the effort worth it. The strong potato flavor of the tots works in harmony with the chili and cheese, and brings a pleasant balance that was missing with that extra long dog.

Technically, honestly, the chili and cheese are typical fast food generic variety, and the tater tots, while good, are no better than the frozen kind you find at the supermarket. That doesn’t matter because their union creates a winner that won’t be denied.

The Chili Cheese Tots from Sonic are quite good. I cannot bring myself to call them delicious, but they’re tasty, filling, and guaranteed to satisfy most any fast food craving. A regular order is the perfect side to a Sonic Burger, and the large order is a meal itself. If you haven’t eaten Tots in a while, Sonic is worth a trip whether you enjoy them plain, or choose the more adventurous route with chili and cheese.

Price: $2.09 — Website: SonicDriveIn.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B

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Nutrition Facts - Sonic Chili Cheese Tots, Regular Size.

Calories - 310
Calories from Fat - 190
Total Fat - 21 grams
Carbs - 26 grams
Saturated Fat - 7 grams
Trans Fat - 3 grams
Cholesterol - 25 milligrams
Sodium - 860 milligrams
Protein - 8 grams

McDonald’s doesn’t have onion rings. Neither does Wendy’s. Or Arby’s.

Like our friends the Tater Tots, O-Rings have never been able to match the popularity of the almighty french fry. That doesn’t keep fans from gobbling them up faster than ever before. Restaurants that serve these deep fried onion slices often find a loyal fan base dedicated to their product. Places like Sonic, Burger King and Whataburger continue to experience high demand, and each offers something a bit different.

At Whataburger, it’s size. They are bigger and thicker than most. If you want a lot of ‘onion’ in your rings, you are going to very happy. However, for some folks it might be too much. If you enjoy onion ‘flavor’ more than pure-onion, these might overpower you. And to borrow a quote from the Sonic onion rings review: I find that if onions are too thick you often wind up with an unpleasant surprise waiting in the center. There’s nothing worse than taking a bite only to find the entire naked onion has escaped from it’s breading (or battered) shell, because it was too limp and slimy to cooperate.

This is more of a problem with Whataburger, because of their thickness. I usually have a couple rings try the aforementioned escape route, leaving me with some big-bare onions in each order. I like onions, but not enough to enjoy large pieces without batter or breading, or being used ON or IN something else. The issue is not uncommon with onion rings in general, regardless of who’s brand, so it comes with the territory. Some folks enjoy all that extra onion, but not me. Once that little bugger has broken free of it’s crunchy shell, it better be thin or else it faces the possibility of being tossed away.

Flavor is not a problem. The onions are juicy and sweet. The deep fried batter is tasty, light golden brown, medium thick with a good crunch. I used to think they cut and battered fresh onions in each store like Sonic does, but these are actually frozen and shipped by a company that has been supplying Whataburger for many years. They are remarkably flavorful and fresh tasting considering they come from the freezer, and most people could probably be fooled into thinking they were made from scratch in-store. I suppose that’s why a company like Whataburger, known for fresh burgers and ingredients, is confident enough to include them on the menu. A wise decision.

The Onion Rings from Whataburger are good. True onion lovers will rejoice in their large, thick slices. They are not made from scratch like their burgers, but they have earned the right to sit alongside them. I still tend to prefer the rings from Sonic, giving them a slight edge and 1/2 star higher score, but these are quite tasty and enjoyable.

Price: $1.69 (Medium) / Website: Whataburger.com

Fast Food Critic Score:4 out of 5 stars.

Nutrition Facts - Whataburger, Onion Rings (Medium).

Calories - 420
Calories from Fat - 250
Total Fat - 28 grams
Carbs - 36 grams
Saturated Fat - 13 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 24 milligrams
Sodium - 494 milligrams

There was a time when Arby’s offered a homestyle french fry with the potato peel on. They were quite good, but sadly they’re gone now. Luckily they still have the curly fries.

These curly strips of potato are coated with a seasoned batter containing cayenne pepper, garlic and other wonderful spices. If you get them hot and freshly cooked, they are definitely one of the best fry experiences in the fast food world. Crunchy outside, golden brown in color with a hint of a reddish tone signaling the mild spiciness. Soft and tender inside with good potato taste and just the right amount of chewiness. Forget ketchup or dipping sauce, they don’t need it. They are delicious on their own.

The larger an order size, the longer the curls tend to be, because the bigger fries don’t fit in the smallest container. Not all the fries are curly. I would say on average about 1/3 are semi straight, but the majority offer plenty of twists and turns, and the super curliest (sometimes called pig-tails) are awesome. I’ve had some that stretched 9 to 10 inches long when pulled out from end to end, before snapping in two pieces.

Two quick warnings. First, they are not the type of fries that most people will eat regularly, because the same great seasoning which makes them so special, can also become a bit overpowering if consumed too often. Much like your favorite rich-chocolate cake or candy can loose it’s appeal when eaten frequently. Second, it’s important that you get them fresh from the deep fryer. I don’t know why, but they seem to lose their taste and crispness faster than regular french fries. Arby’s is usually pretty good about not pre-cooking too many at a time, so it’s seldom that you will get an order that’s been sitting around. During rush hour the odds of getting a flat batch does increase, but if you don’t mind being ‘that’ guy, they are always willing to cook you a fresh order while you wait. As I’ve said, it’s not necessary to use ketchup or dipping sauce, and it can actually be detrimental to the flavor. However I’ve had several friends tell me these are great with Arby’s horseradish sauce, so you might give that a try. I’m not a horsey fan (in general) myself so I cannot give an opinion on that.

The Curly Fries from Arby’s are fantastic, and a great break from average french fries. The large order can almost make a meal on it’s own. With a wonderfully seasoned flavor that will please your taste buds, and twisty shapes that are fun to play with, they’re one of the most satisfying potato side orders in the fast food business.

Fast Food Critic Score:4.5 out of 5 stars.

Nutrition Facts - Arby’s, Curly Fries (Large).

Calories - 631
Calories from Fat - 337
Total Fat - 37 grams
Carbs - 73 grams
Saturated Fat - 7 grams
Trans Fat - 1 gram
Cholesterol - 0 milligrams
Sodium - 1476 milligrams

On today’s fast food menu - Waffle Potato Fries from Chick-Fil-A.

What’s a waffle fry? Thick slices of whole potato, with the peel left on, cut into a criss-cross pattern, with little holes in between the rows. The end result are fries that look similar to waffles, hence the name. The unique shapes and varied sizes makes eating a real adventure. You get thin ones, thick ones, big ones, small ones and even a few oddly shaped bits and pieces left-over at the bottom of the package. It’s more exciting than plain, flat, skinny fries that all look the same.

They smell and taste fantastic. In fact, they might have the strongest aroma of natural potatoes, and most ‘pure’ potato taste of any leading fries. If you like real potatoes, you are going to like these waffle fries. The thinner ones are more crispy, while the thick slices have a softer potato center. They’re covered with brown and bumpy ridges, and the holes help provide even-cooking thru-out. The really big ones can sometimes get a little limp and chewy, but it’s not a serious enough problem to be a turn-off.

They come lightly salted, and some people might find it ‘too’ light, but hey — it’s much easier to add more salt, than to take it away. I figure too light is better than too heavy. Personally I like them seasoned just the way they are. Sometimes I even give-in to the immediate temptation, and eat them before I get a chance to open the ketchup.

It’s worth noting these waffle fries are cooked in 100% refined peanut oil. They contain zero grams of trans fat, and no cholestoral. My medium order was 350 calories, with less than half (150) coming from fat. They are also low in sodium.

The Waffle Potato Fries from Chick-Fila-A are excellent. They have a natural and pure potato flavor. They also have enough different shapes, sizes and textures to keep your mouth entertained, and they are just downright delicious. Get some!

Fast Food Critic Score:4.5 out of 5 stars.

Nutrition Facts - Waffle Potato Fries from Chick-Fil-A, Medium Size.

Calories - 350
Calories from Fat - 150
Total Fat - 17 grams
Carbs - 46 grams
Saturated Fat - 4 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 0 milligrams
Sodium - 150 milligrams

Back to Sonic Drive-In, this time for Tater Tots. In the case of this review, just plain tots with some ketchup on the side. The fast food world has never accepted the tot as a substitute for french fries, but the frozen supermarket variety has remained popular. Tots make a fast-food comeback every few years, appearing as “new” or “limited time” items for various chains, but they still lack the popularity of french fries. Sonic is one place that’s offered tots thru-out the years, and they do a pretty good job.

My Sonic tots arrived quickly and they smelled great. The package was warm, with just a little bit of grease soaking thru. My first look inside revealed one particularly golden brown tot sitting on top. I picked it up for inspection. It looked good, and tasted good. Crispy on the outside, with soft potato inside, and I could feel tiny individual pieces of potato in my mouth. The next one was not quite as brown or crispy, but still tasty.

As I worked my way thru the order, I was pleased with the crunchy potato nuggets, and the seasoning and salt was perfect. They held up to ketchup very well, and are great for dipping. I noticed they tasted and felt much like the frozen Ore-Ida (company who invented the tater tot in 1953) tater tots I’ve been eating for years. That’s not a bad thing, but it makes me question why I would order ‘out’ something I could so easily cook at home. I don’t want the mess or hassle of making my entire meal at home, but I can open a plastic bag and toss some frozen clumps on a cookie sheet.

The Tater Tots from Sonic are good, and a worthy alternative to french fries. They have a crispy crunch, a warm potato center, and just the right amount of seasoning. They might even bring back some fond memories for people who haven’t had tots in a long while. However, there’s nothing unique or special about them, and I can make (basically) the same thing at home with no hassle. I prefer Sonic’s Onion Rings.

Price: $1.19 — Website: SonicDriveIn.com

Fast Food Critic Score: 84

Nutrition Facts - Sonic Drive In, Tater Tots (regular size).

Calories - 220
Calories from Fat - 120
Total Fat - 14 grams
Carbs - 23 grams
Saturated Fat - 2.5 grams
Trans Fat - 3 grams
Cholesterol - 0 milligrams
Sodium - 600 milligrams

I wanted to give Sonic Drive-In another chance, after a fairly disappointing experience with their extra long chili cheese coney. This time it’s their onion rings, and I’m pleased to report the results are much better. These rings were good enough to make me forget about that chili-dog. In fact, they are some of the best fast food rings around. They are not frozen and thawed. Sonic employees actually slice and bread onions every day, at each store, making some of the freshest onion rings in the industry.

The balance between onion and breading is just right, with each bite containing a fair amount of both. This ‘balance’ is important and one of the keys to a good fast-food onion ring, because too much of one element can overpower the other. The onions themselves are cut thin to medium-thick, just the way I like them. I find that if onions are too thick you often wind up with an unpleasant surprise waiting in the center. There’s nothing worse than taking a bite only to find the entire naked onion has escaped from it’s breading shell, because it was too limp and slimy to cooperate. This is not a problem with Sonic’s onion rings. Their size and proportions allow for even cooking all the way thru. And the breading itself is crisp, crunchy, dark brown, and has plenty of nice bumps and ridges for added texture.

The Onion Rings from Sonic are excellent. They have a near-perfect balance of onion flavor and crispy breading crunch. From the first ring that fell out of the package, to the last squashed tiny piece in the bottom, every bite was tasty and satisfying.

Fast Food Critic Score:4.5 out of 5 stars.

Nutrition Facts - Sonic Drive-In, Onion Rings (regular size).

Calories - 500
Calories from Fat - 250
Total Fat - 28 grams
Carbs - 55 grams
Saturated Fat - 5 grams
Trans Fat - 6 grams
Cholesterol - 0 milligrams
Sodium - 210 milligrams