Introduction
Fast food is often seen as unhealthy and unappetizing, but there are some hidden gems that are worth trying. From classic burgers to unique tacos, there are plenty of underrated fast-food dishes that are delicious and surprisingly healthy. In this article, we’ll be exploring 16 of the most underrated fast-food dishes that you should definitely try. From classic favorites to unique creations, these dishes are sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more. So, if you’re looking for something new and exciting to try, look no further than these 16 underrated fast-food dishes.
16 Underrated Fast-Food Dishes You Should Try
Fast-food restaurants are often seen as unhealthy and unappetizing, but there are plenty of delicious and nutritious dishes that you may be missing out on. From salads to sandwiches, here are 16 underrated fast-food dishes that you should try.
1. Wendy’s Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad
This salad is packed with flavor and nutrition. It features grilled chicken, fresh avocado, roasted corn, black beans, tomatoes, and a creamy Southwest ranch dressing. It’s a great way to get your greens and protein in one meal.
2. McDonald’s Egg White Delight McMuffin
This breakfast sandwich is a healthier alternative to the classic Egg McMuffin. It features a freshly-grilled egg white patty, white cheddar cheese, and Canadian bacon on an English muffin. It’s a great way to start your day with protein and fiber.
3. Burger King’s Veggie Burger
This veggie burger is made with a savory blend of vegetables, grains, and spices. It’s served on a toasted sesame seed bun with lettuce, tomato, and onion. It’s a great option for vegetarians and vegans.
4. Taco Bell’s Power Menu Bowl
This bowl is packed with protein and fiber. It features seasoned beef, black beans, guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes, reduced-fat sour cream, and a creamy avocado ranch sauce. It’s a great way to get your daily dose of veggies and protein.
5. KFC’s Grilled Chicken Sandwich
This sandwich is a healthier alternative to the classic fried chicken sandwich. It features a grilled chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, and a creamy honey mustard sauce. It’s a great way to get your protein without all the added fat and calories.
6. Subway’s Veggie Delite Salad
This salad is a great way to get your daily dose of veggies. It features lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, red onions, olives, and a variety of other vegetables. It’s a great option for vegetarians and vegans.
7. Arby’s Roast Turkey Ranch & Bacon Sandwich
This sandwich is a great way to get your protein and fiber. It features freshly-sliced roast turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a creamy ranch sauce. It’s a great option for those looking for a healthier alternative to the classic fast-food sandwich.
8. Chick-fil-A’s Grilled Chicken Sandwich
This sandwich is a healthier alternative to the classic fried chicken sandwich. It features a grilled chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, and a creamy honey mustard sauce. It’s a great way to get your protein without all the added fat and calories.
9. Jack in the Box’s Grilled Chicken Salad
This salad is a great way to get your daily dose of veggies. It features lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, red onions, and a grilled chicken breast. It’s a great option for those looking for a healthier alternative to the classic fast-food salad.
10. Sonic’s Grilled Chicken Wrap
This wrap is a great way to get your protein and fiber. It features a grilled chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, and a creamy ranch sauce. It’s a great option for those looking for a healthier alternative to the classic fast-food wrap.
11. Wendy’s Apple Pecan Chicken Salad
This salad is packed with flavor and nutrition. It features grilled chicken, fresh apples, roasted pecans, dried cranberries, and a creamy honey mustard dressing. It’s a great way to get your greens and protein in one meal.
12. McDonald’s Fruit & Maple Oatmeal
This oatmeal is a great way to start your day. It features a blend of oats, apples, cranberries, and raisins. It’s a great option for those looking for a healthier alternative to the classic fast-food breakfast.
13. Burger King’s Garden Fresh Salad
This salad is a great way to get your daily dose of veggies. It features lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, red onions, and a variety of other vegetables. It’s a great option for vegetarians and vegans.
14. Taco Bell’s Fresco Soft Taco
This taco is a great way to get your protein and fiber. It features seasoned beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and a creamy avocado ranch sauce. It’s a great option for those looking for a healthier alternative to the classic fast-food taco.
15. KFC’s Grilled Chicken Breast
This chicken breast is a healthier alternative to the classic fried chicken. It’s grilled to perfection and served with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. It’s a great way to get your protein without all the added fat and calories.
16. Subway’s Veggie Patty Sandwich
This sandwich is a great way to get your protein and fiber. It features a veggie patty, lettuce, tomato, and a creamy ranch sauce. It’s a great option for vegetarians and vegans looking for a healthier alternative to the classic fast-food sandwich.
When you sit down at your favorite restaurant, you probably know exactly what you are going to order. It’s the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder Deluxe or the Double Double at In-N-Out. But what about the underrated dishes at chain restaurants across the country?
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 dishes out there. How many have you tried?
And for more under-the-radar finds, don’t miss The Most Underrated Menu Item at 13 Popular Restaurant Chains.
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!
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Skip the blizzards and go straight for the secret menu’s Frozen Hot Chocolate the next time you’re at Dairy Queen. The fast-food chain takes its slush mix and combines chocolate fudge and soft serve for an excellent creamy treat.
RELATED: The Best and Worst Foods at Dairy Queen
The McMuffin and McGriddle get top billing on McDonald’s breakfast menu, but the simple sausage burrito is the right choice. It’s a flour tortilla, American cheese, and scrambled eggs with sausage and peppers. Grab two, and you can’t find a better fast-food breakfast.
And for more about the Golden Arches, don’t miss these 30 McDonald’s Facts All ’80s Kids Remember.
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. You may want to order two.
RELATED: The Best & Worst Menu Items at Checkers
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.
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.
RELATED: Chrissy Teigen Just Turned This Classic Holiday Dish Into a Weeknight Dinner
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.
RELATED: Subway Is Opening a Pop-Up Restaurant Dedicated to This Beloved Menu Item
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.
RELATED: I Tried The Costco Chicken Nuggets That ‘Taste Like Chick-fil-A’ and I Have Some Thoughts.
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.
RELATED: The Best & Worst Menu Items at Hardee’s
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.
RELATED: This Is the Healthiest Order at Domino’s
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.
RELATED: 30 Secrets You Never Know About Dunkin’
Cajun fast food at its finest, the Red Beans & Rice is an oft-overlooked side at Popeyes. Skip the seasoned fries or mashed potatoes for this protein-packed starch instead… or get it in addition to the potato-based sides. We won’t judge.
America’s Drive-In is known for its limeades, shakes, and burgers, but you can’t go wrong with its blended floats when you want a creamy treat. Think of it as a shake made with your favorite soda (we recommend Dr Pepper); it might sound weird, but it doesn’t taste it.
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.
RELATED: 11 Secrets Arby’s Doesn’t Want You to Know
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.
RELATED: 11 Secrets KFC Doesn’t Want You to Know
Sometimes a smoothie just doesn’t cut it for breakfast—that’s when this breakfast wrap comes in. Jamba Juice makes this wrap (but it’s just a burrito) all day. It gets a crunch crispy exterior that elevates the whole dish.
Sure, you could keep getting your favorite burger-and-fries order. But if you want to spice things up, try one of these underrated fast-food dishes instead.
Read more about your favorite fast-food spots:
We Tried Every Burger at McDonald’s & This Is the Best
We Tried Every Burger at Wendy’s & This Is the Best
We Tried Every Burger at Burger King & This Is the Best