Fast Food salads are healthier and easy to digest. Fast food and salads may not seem like the most natural pair, but in a world dominated by burgers and fries, these leafy delights are making their mark. Join us as we explore the top picks in the realm of fast food salads, revealing the gems that defy expectations and deliver a refreshing twist to your on-the-go meals.
The Evolution of Fast Food Salads
Gone are the days when fast food salads were the underdogs of the menu, comprised of basic lettuce and a sprinkle of cheese. Major chains have witnessed a salad revolution, with some even removing salads from their offerings. However, for those moments when you crave a quick and affordable salad, we’ve sifted through the options to bring you a definitive ranking from worst to best.
Dairy Queen Disappointments
12. Dairy Queen Rotisserie-Style Salad Bowl
In the realm of sad fast-food salads, Dairy Queen takes the crown. Despite a combination of roasted chicken, bacon, and cheddar, it fails to salvage the uninspiring iceberg lettuce and watery tomatoes.
11. Dairy Queen Crispy Chicken Strips Salad
Similar to its counterpart, this salad doesn’t offer much improvement. The only saving grace is the crispy coating on the chicken strips, resembling croutons. Still, it’s a far cry from a satisfying salad experience.
Jack In The Box’s Standard Fare
10. Jack In The Box Club Salad
Jack In The Box presents a standard club salad with either grilled or crispy chicken. While it doesn’t stand out significantly, the use of grape tomatoes and sliced cucumbers adds a crisp texture, and the inclusion of croutons is a welcome touch.
Subway’s Lackluster Lineup
9. Anything From Subway
Despite being known for variety, Subway’s salad lineup lacks imagination. Placing sandwich toppings on a bed of lettuce feels lazy, and the overall quality of ingredients has been questionable, contributing to the decline in their market share.
Chick-fil-A’s Sweet Market Misstep
8. Chick-fil-A Market Salad
Chick-fil-A’s market salad, with strawberries, blueberries, apples, sweet granola, and apple cider vinaigrette, leans heavily on the sweet side. With a whopping 26 grams of sugar, it’s more dessert than a wholesome salad.
Wendy’s Mixed Bag
7. Wendy’s Taco Salad
Wendy’s taco salad boasts crispy lettuce, tortilla chips, sour cream, and their iconic chili. However, the large chip pieces and warm chili cause the lettuce to wilt, creating a halfway nacho-bowl experience that may not appeal to salad purists.
6. Jack In The Box Southwest Salad
While Jack In The Box’s club salad falls short, their Southwest salad with cheddar cheese, grape tomatoes, fire-roasted corn, and crispy tortilla chips, accompanied by a creamy Southwest dressing, is a delightful stop for salad enthusiasts.
5. Wendy’s Apple Pecan Salad
Wendy’s fruit-forward salad, featuring dried cranberries and pecans, offers a refreshing change in texture. It strikes a balance between sweetness and savory, providing a solid and satisfying salad experience.
4. Wendy’s Parmesan Caesar Salad
A classic Caesar salad is elevated by Wendy’s with a rich, anchovy-scented dressing, crispy Parmesan croutons, and an Italian blend. Cheese lovers will appreciate the layers of flavor in this well-crafted salad.
Chick-fil-A’s Flavorful Offerings
3. Chick-fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad
Chick-fil-A’s Southwestern-inspired salad boasts an abundance of toppings, from corn and black beans to crispy tortilla strips and chili lime pumpkin seeds. Despite a creamy salsa dressing that may not suit everyone, it remains a flavorful option.
2. Wendy’s Cobb Salad
Cobb salads are known for their textural variety, and Wendy’s version doesn’t disappoint. With chopped eggs, creamy ranch, and crispy fried onions, it earns a solid 9/10 for its delightful combination of flavors and textures.
1. Chick-fil-A Cobb Salad
Topping our list is Chick-fil-A’s Cobb salad, the epitome of salad perfection. Offering endless protein options, including innovative choices like cauliflower, and featuring roasted corn, charred tomato, crispy red peppers, and Monterey Jack cheese, it’s a true salad lover’s dream. Drizzled with avocado lime ranch, this salad is a stellar 10/10.