The main is the star, but the side is what makes the meal. This One Gotta Go card asks you to pick between four classic fast food sides: French fries, onion rings, a side salad and coleslaw.
Keep three, cut one, and live with it at every drive-thru from now on. Think about what you actually order versus what you only see on the menu board, then make your pick and explain it to the group.
French Fries vs Onion Rings vs Side Salad vs Coleslaw
A. French Fries
French fries are the default side for a reason, but that is also why some people cut them. They are everywhere, they go cold and limp fast, and they are rarely the best thing on the tray. If you are tired of the same side every time, fries are the bold cut.
Keep it if: A meal without hot, salty fries feels unfinished, and you always steal a few on the drive home.
B. Onion Rings
Onion rings are crunchy, sweet and feel like a treat. They are also messy, hard to find at many chains, and one bite can pull the whole onion out of the breading. If you only order them once in a while, cutting them might not change much.
Keep it if: You always upgrade to onion rings when they are on the menu and love the crunch more than fries.
C. Side Salad
The side salad is the healthy choice that a lot of people order and then barely touch. It is fine, but it rarely feels exciting next to a burger or chicken. If you are honest about what you eat, this may be the side that gets cut first.
Keep it if: You like a lighter meal and actually enjoy something fresh and green next to your sandwich.
D. Coleslaw
Coleslaw splits people right down the middle. Fans love it cold and creamy next to fried chicken or barbecue, while others will not touch it at all. It also shows up at fewer drive-thrus than the rest, which makes it an easy cut for a lot of tables.
Keep it if: Fried chicken or barbecue does not taste right without a scoop of cold, tangy slaw on the side.
Our take
We would cut the side salad. It has its place, but it is the side most likely to sit untouched in the bag, and the other three are the ones people actually crave. The most fun part of this card is fries against onion rings, because both sides have loyal fans and strong feelings about crunch. If your group is split, settle it with a taste test from the same restaurant. Bonus points to anyone who can name a chain where the coleslaw is the best thing on the menu.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Are onion rings actually better than fries, or is that just a fun take?
- Which chain has the best fries?
- Is coleslaw a side or a topping?
- What side would you add to this card that is missing?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Fast Food Sides: quick answers
What is the most popular fast food side?
French fries are the classic fast food side and come with combo meals at most burger chains. Onion rings, side salads, coleslaw, mac and cheese and fruit cups are other common options depending on the restaurant.
Which fast food places sell onion rings?
Onion rings show up at chains like Burger King, Sonic and A&W, plus many regional burger spots. Menus change by location and over time, so check the app or menu board before you plan your order around them.
