15 Most Underrated Foods from Your Favorite Fast-Food Restaurants
When you sit down at your favorite fast-food spot, you probably know exactly what you are going to order. Maybe it's the McDonald's Quarter Pounder Deluxe meal with a Sprite or the Double Double at In-N-Out with a side of fresh-cut fries. In fact, we have an entire article devoted to the #1 order at every chain restaurant. But what about the underrated dishes at chain restaurants across the country? What are people asking for when they want something other than the Roast Beef Sandwich at Arby's or a donut at Dunkin'?
Sure, it's fun to go for the food that these restaurants are known for, but in choosing the well-known options, you could be missing out on some really killer dishes that often go under the radar.
Here, we've compiled the most underrated fast-food items out there. How many have you tried?
Wendy's Chili
Sure, you could get the Junior Bacon Cheeseburger with fries and a Frosty. But why be basic? Opt for the chili, which rivals anything you could make at home. Plus, you can still get the fries and a Frosty! Fun fact: Wendy's chili is made the old-school way, with leftover hamburger meat, which is actually a good thing and the way Dave would have wanted it.
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Dairy Queen Burgers
Skip the blizzards and one of the burgers the next time you're at Dairy Queen. Most people go fo the ice cream creations but the chain also makes the classics great too! "They're even better than Wendy's," said one Reddit user.
McDonald's Bagel Sandwiches
The McMuffin and McGriddle get top billing on McDonald's breakfast menu, but the bagel sandwiches, especially the Steak, Egg & Cheese Bagel were one of the most requested items to return to the menu. This year select locations on the East Coast got them back. Get 'em while you can!
And for more about the Golden Arches, don't miss these 30 McDonald's Facts All '80s Kids Remember.
Checker's Loaded Fries
Checkers (or Rally's, depending on your area) has incredible fries. They're incredibly crispy and perfectly seasoned, but add cheese and bacon or chili on top for an out-of-this-world treat. Just make this a once-in-awhile treat because this is a heavy dish.
Burger King Hershey's Sundae Pie
The Whopper. Chicken fries. Onion rings. You know the classics at Burger King, but take a gander at the desserts. The Hershey's Sundae Pie starts with a chocolate cookie crust topped with chocolate and vanilla cream. It always comes slightly chilled to the point where it seems like ice cream.
And if you're wondering how Burger King's pies stack up to the competition, We Taste-Tested Fast-Food Pies, Cookies, & Ice Cream—These Were Our Favorites.
Carl's Jr. CrissCut Fries
Skip the overly complex burger and just double up on an order of CrissCut Fries for your next visit to Carl's Jr. The waffle-style fries are a favorite of Chrissy Teigen's, so you know they're good.
Subway Cookies
When you walk through the doors of Subway, you probably recognize the fresh bread smell. But there's something even better baking in those ovens: cookies. The fresh-baked cookies are soft and are worth the trip to the chain even if you don't want a sandwich. Fun fact: the chain also sells more freshly-baked cookies than any other restaurant company in the U.S.
RELATED: Subway Is Opening a Pop-Up Restaurant Dedicated to This Beloved Menu Item
Chick-fil-A Peach Milkshake
What is Chick-fil-A known for? Well, it's right there in the name. Yes, the chicken is their claim to fame, and their waffle fries have their fans as well. But the overlooked item on its menu is the Peach Milkshake. Be sure to mark your calendar: It's only available in the summer. If you can't get that, fans swear by the Grilled Chicken Sandwich. Bonus: It's actually good for you!
Hardee's Biscuit 'N' Gravy
For being a fast-food restaurant, Hardee's has surprisingly great biscuits. They're buttery and flaky. Top one with Hardee's hot sausage gravy, and it's a breakfast that rivals any of the chain's morning sandwiches.
Domino's Stuffed Cheesy Bread
Domino's recently dropped "Pizza" from its name, and with this Stuffed Cheesy Bread as good as it is, we can see why. The bread comes in three flavors and holds up to even Domino's critics.
Dunkin' Hash Browns
They come as a side to breakfast sandwiches, most people probably skip them—but you shouldn't. Each order of hash browns at Dunkin' is seasoned with a proprietary blend of spices and cooked to order. They serve as a great snack at any time of day, too.
Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp
Sure most people go to this chain for the chicken sandwiches, which consistently win our taste tests, but the Popcorn Shrimp is the real sleeper.
Arby's Roast Chicken, Bacon & Swiss Sandwich
Sure, you could go the normal route and get a roast beef sandwich, but why be like everyone else? With roast chicken, bacon, tangy Swiss cheese, and Dijon honey mustard, these ingredients stack together for a great sammie.
KFC Famous Bowl
Chicken put KFC on the map, but the Famous Bowl is the way to go. Creamy mashed potatoes are topped with gravy, corn, shredded cheese, and popcorn chicken. We know it sounds crazy, but you'll thank us later.
A&W Cheese Curds
If you like fried mozzarella, you're going to flip for A&W cheese curds. Honestly, this entire chain is underrated, say some.
A previous version of this article was originally published in August 2019. It has been updated with new information.
