10 New York Chains Frying Up Onion Rings Too Good To Skip
Nothing complements a juicy burger quite like a perfectly crispy, golden onion ring. Across New York, several restaurant chains have mastered the art of this beloved side dish, creating rings that deserve their own spotlight.
Thick-cut classics to beer-battered delights, these spots are serving up circular sensations that might just outshine the main course.
1. Shake Shack’s Crispy Crinkle Creations
Crunch into pure bliss with Shake Shack’s perfectly golden rings. Hand-breaded daily with a secret blend of spices that gives them a distinctive flavor profile unlike any other chain.
Locals rave about the ideal thickness, not too bulky, not too thin, allowing the sweet onion flavor to shine through the crispy exterior. Pair them with their house sauce for an unforgettable taste experience.
2. Five Guys’ Hand-Crafted Onion Delights
Made fresh to order, Five Guys’ rings showcase the chain’s commitment to quality. Using Spanish onions sliced daily in-house, each ring receives a double-dip in their special batter before hitting the fryer.
What makes them stand out is the delicate balance between a substantial crunch and a tender interior that melts in your mouth. Many customers actually make special trips just for these golden hoops!
3. Bareburger’s Organic Ring Masterpieces
Sustainability meets flavor in Bareburger’s organic approach to this classic side. Locally sourced sweet onions get the royal treatment with a non-GMO panko coating that creates an extraordinarily light yet satisfying crunch.
The batter contains zero animal products while maintaining that classic taste everyone craves. Served with their signature special sauce, these rings elevate the humble onion to gourmet status.
4. Red Robin’s Towering Ring Stacks
Famous for their presentation as much as their taste, Red Robin serves these beauties stacked high on a pole. Yellow onions get a beer-batter treatment resulting in rings with impressive diameter and consistent golden perfection.
Pulling a ring from the tower becomes a fun social experience for the whole table. Dip options abound, but regulars know the campfire sauce brings out the subtle sweetness hiding within each crunchy bite.
5. Sonic Drive-In’s Classic Roadside Rings
Pull up to the speaker and order nostalgia by the bagful! Sonic’s rings capture that perfect roadside diner quality with their distinctively craggy exterior and sweet Vidalia onion interior.
Car hop service adds to the charm as these golden treasures arrive hot and fresh at your window. A medium-thick batter creates the ideal vehicle for their ranch dressing, making these rings a road trip essential for New Yorkers heading out of town.
6. BurgerFi’s Craft Beer Battered Beauties
Craft beer makes all the difference in BurgerFi’s exceptional rings. Using local brews in their batter creates complex flavor notes that elevate these rings beyond typical fast food fare.
Sliced to medium thickness, the onions retain just enough firmness for the perfect bite. Urban food critics frequently mention these rings when discussing New York’s best sides, praising their consistent quality and the subtle hoppy notes in each ring.
7. Smashburger’s Haystack Onion Sensation
Breaking from tradition, Smashburger offers thin-sliced, string-style rings they call Haystack Onions. Impossibly crisp and delicately seasoned, these lighter alternatives provide all the flavor without the heavy feeling afterward.
Perfect for topping burgers or enjoying on their own, the portion size generously overflows the container, creating an impressive mountain of golden strands.
8. Dairy Queen’s Sweet Onion Surprises
Who knew a place famous for ice cream could nail the art of the onion ring? DQ’s rings feature sweet onions in a distinctively light, almost tempura-like batter that creates an addictive contrast of textures.
Remarkably consistent across locations, these rings maintain their crunch longer than most competitors. Smart customers know to order them alongside a chocolate shake – the sweet-savory combination creates a flavor experience that keeps New Yorkers coming back despite the chain’s limited city locations.
9. TGI Friday’s Bold Whiskey-Glazed Rings
Kick things up with Friday’s signature whiskey-glazed rings. Starting with thick-cut Spanish onions, each ring gets double-battered before being fried to golden perfection and tossed in their famous whiskey glaze.
Sweet, savory, with just a hint of boozy warmth makes these rings uniquely craveable. Manhattan locations often see bar patrons ordering multiple rounds, of rings, that is! Perfectly paired with their extensive beer selection.
10. Applebee’s Neighborhood Ring Favorites
Generous portion size defines the Applebee’s ring experience. Using whole yellow onions sliced extra-thick, each order delivers substantial rings with a satisfying crunch-to-softness ratio that keeps neighborhood regulars faithful.
Family-friendly pricing makes these a popular choice for group outings. A hint of garlic in the batter distinguishes them from competitors, while the chain’s multiple dipping sauce options allow for customized flavor adventures with every visit.
