Fast food isn't just about burgers and pizzas – the sides often steal the show! From crispy potato creations to unique local specialities, these accompaniments have become icons in their own right. Join me on a mouth-watering journey across continents as we explore the most beloved fast food sides that have people queuing up worldwide.
1. French Fries
Golden, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside – French fries have conquered the globe as the ultimate fast food companion. McDonald's alone serves over 9 million kilograms of fries worldwide every day!
The secret to their universal appeal lies in their versatility. Whether dunked in ketchup, mayonnaise, or eaten plain, they complement virtually any main dish perfectly.
Despite their name, French fries likely originated in Belgium, where locals have been frying potatoes since the 1600s. Today, they're the undisputed champion of fast food sides, appearing on menus from Tokyo to Toronto.
2. Onion Rings
Crunchy, sweet and utterly moreish, onion rings have earned their place in the fast food hall of fame. The contrast between the crisp batter coating and the tender onion inside creates a taste sensation that's hard to resist.
Burger King's version remains particularly popular, with their distinctive slightly spiced batter giving them an edge over competitors. The beauty of onion rings is in their simplicity – just onions, batter and hot oil.
A proper onion ring should hold its shape when picked up, with the onion staying put rather than sliding out embarrassingly on the first bite. Pure fast food engineering at its finest!
3. Poutine (Canada)
Canada's gift to the fast food world combines three simple elements to create something magical. Fresh chips smothered in rich gravy and topped with squeaky cheese curds – it's comfort food perfection that's now found its way onto menus worldwide.
Originally from Quebec in the 1950s, poutine was once considered rather lowbrow. Today, it's Canada's unofficial national dish, with even upscale restaurants offering gourmet versions with additions like pulled pork or lobster.
The authentic experience demands proper cheese curds that squeak against your teeth when bitten – a telltale sign of freshness that poutine purists insist upon. No substitutes allowed!
4. Mozzarella Sticks
The perfect balance of crispy coating and gooey, stretchy cheese makes mozzarella sticks irresistible to fast food lovers everywhere. That first bite, with cheese pulling away in long, photogenic strings, has become iconic in food advertising.
While they seem like a modern invention, fried cheese dates back centuries across Europe. The American fast food version we know today gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming a staple at chains like Arby's and Sonic.
Marinara sauce is the classic pairing, but ranch dressing has emerged as a popular alternative. The contrast between the cool, tangy sauce and hot, melty cheese creates a taste sensation that keeps customers coming back.
5. Curry Sauce (UK)
British chip shops have created something uniquely their own with curry sauce – a mild, sweet curry-flavoured gravy that bears little resemblance to authentic Indian curries. This orange-brown concoction has achieved cult status across the UK, particularly when ladled over chips.
McDonald's UK capitalized on this national obsession by introducing curry sauce dip pots in the 1990s, causing near riots when they briefly discontinued them in 2015. The sauce perfectly balances sweetness with gentle spice notes, making it approachable even for those who shy away from hotter curries.
Regional variations exist throughout Britain, with some areas preferring a thicker, more gravy-like consistency while others enjoy a thinner, more sauce-like version.
6. Cheese Curds (USA)
Fresh, squeaky and utterly addictive, fried cheese curds have transcended their Midwestern roots to become a fast food phenomenon. These little nuggets of joy are particularly beloved in Wisconsin, where they're practically the unofficial state food.
Unlike their role in poutine, American cheese curds are typically battered and deep-fried on their own, creating bite-sized morsels with a crispy exterior and melty interior. Culver's, the Wisconsin-based chain, has helped popularize them beyond the Midwest, introducing countless new fans to their charms.
The freshness test is simple – they must squeak when you bite them! This distinctive sound comes from the protein strands rubbing against your teeth, and it's the mark of quality curds everywhere.
7. Sweet Potato Fries
The vibrant orange alternative to traditional fries has surged in popularity as a 'healthier' option that doesn't sacrifice flavour. Sweet potato fries offer a perfect balance of savoury and sweet, often enhanced with creative seasonings like cinnamon sugar or spicy cayenne.
Fast food chains were initially slow to adopt them, but consumer demand eventually won out. Burger King, Wendy's and many others now feature them as premium side options, typically at a slight upcharge from regular fries.
While their health benefits over regular fries are often overstated (they're still fried, after all), they do offer more vitamin A and fibre than their potato counterparts. Their distinctive flavour pairs brilliantly with aioli or honey mustard dips.
8. Potato Wedges
Chunkier and more substantial than their skinny French fry cousins, potato wedges deliver a perfect ratio of crispy exterior to fluffy interior. Their robust nature means they can handle heavier seasonings and spices without being overwhelmed.
KFC's wedges developed a passionate following before being controversially discontinued in some markets. The thick-cut spuds are typically coated in a seasoned batter before frying, creating a textured surface that holds onto sauces beautifully.
Australian fast food chains have particularly embraced the wedge, often serving them with the holy trinity of toppings: sweet chilli sauce, sour cream, and guacamole. This combination has become so popular that it's known simply as 'loaded wedges' throughout the country.
9. Coleslaw
The humble mix of shredded cabbage and carrots in creamy dressing provides the perfect cool, crunchy counterpoint to hot, greasy fast food. KFC's version has achieved legendary status, with its finely chopped texture and sweetened mayonnaise dressing becoming the standard by which many judge all other coleslaws.
The beauty of fast food coleslaw lies in its dual nature – it adds freshness to an otherwise indulgent meal while still feeling like a treat itself. Regional variations abound, from the vinegar-based versions popular in the American South to the more mayonnaise-heavy European styles.
Coleslaw also serves as the perfect topping for pulled pork sandwiches and fish tacos, adding crunch and creaminess in one go.
10. Garlic Bread (Australia)
Down Under, no pizza order is complete without a side of garlic bread. Australian fast food chains have elevated this simple side to an art form, with Domino's Australia selling enough garlic bread annually to stretch from Sydney to Perth if laid end to end!
The Aussie version typically features a soft baguette slathered with garlic butter and sometimes topped with melted cheese. Unlike Italian-American garlic bread which often has a crunchier texture, the Australian style maintains a soft, pillowy interior that soaks up the garlic butter perfectly.
Pizza chains like Domino's and Pizza Hut Australia have expanded their garlic bread offerings to include loaded versions with toppings like bacon, cheese, and even cheeseburger flavours.
11. Corn Dogs (USA)
The marriage of hot dog and sweet cornmeal batter on a stick creates a portable delight that's particularly beloved at American fast food joints and fairs. Corn dogs combine savoury and sweet in one convenient, handheld package.
While not strictly a 'side' in the traditional sense, corn dogs frequently appear on fast food menus as accompaniments to larger meals. Sonic Drive-In and Dairy Queen have helped popularize them as fast food staples rather than just carnival treats.
The ideal corn dog features a crisp exterior that gives way to fluffy cornbread surrounding a juicy hot dog. Regional variations include the Korean 'gamja hot dog' which adds a layer of crispy potato around the outside for extra texture.
12. Hush Puppies (Southern USA)
These little balls of cornmeal batter, deep-fried to golden perfection, are a Southern US speciality that have found their way onto fast food menus nationwide. Legend has it they got their name because fishermen would toss them to barking dogs to 'hush the puppies' while cooking outdoors.
Long John Silver's helped introduce hush puppies to the wider American fast food landscape, serving them as the perfect accompaniment to fried fish. The slight sweetness of the cornmeal pairs beautifully with savoury seafood dishes.
The best hush puppies have a crisp exterior giving way to a soft, steamy interior, often enhanced with diced onions or jalapeños for extra flavour. They're typically served piping hot with butter or a side of remoulade sauce.
13. Takoyaki (Japan)
These savoury octopus-filled balls have become a fast food sensation across Asia. Cooked in special dimpled pans, takoyaki are crispy outside, creamy inside, and topped with dancing bonito flakes, mayo, and sweet-savoury takoyaki sauce.
Originally from Osaka, these bite-sized treats are now commonly found in Japanese fast food courts and speciality takoyaki shops. Each ball contains a piece of octopus surrounded by a wheat flour batter, creating a delightful textural contrast.
Part of the appeal comes from watching them being made – skilled chefs rotate each ball with metal picks as they cook, creating the perfect sphere. The finished takoyaki should be crisp outside while maintaining a slightly gooey centre, a balance that takes considerable skill to achieve.
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