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Fast food has a funny way of turning us all into creatures of habit. You roll up to the speaker, your brain
goes on autopilot, and suddenly you’re ordering the exact same combo you’ve been ordering since you still
thought “extra ketchup” was a personality trait.
Meanwhile, the menu is hiding a handful of genuinely great itemsthe sleepers, the side characters, the
“wait… why is this so good?” ordersthat rarely get the spotlight. These are the underrated fast food
menu items that don’t trend every week, but quietly deliver every time.
Below are five underappreciated picks (from big chains to regional legends), plus smart ways to order them so
they shine even brighter. No “secret menu” theatrics. Just real, reliable, delicious fast food that deserves
more love.
What Makes a Fast Food Item “Underrated”?
“Underrated” doesn’t mean “nobody’s heard of it.” It means the item is better than its reputation.
It might be overshadowed by a chain’s famous flagship (looking at you, iconic burgers), it might live in the
“sides” section where attention goes to die, or it might be polarizing enough that people dismiss it without
giving it a fair bite.
My criteria for this list:
- It’s a real menu item (not a rumor, not a TikTok mashup that requires a decoder ring).
- It’s consistently available or widely offered (with the usual “location may vary” reality).
- It punches above its popularity in flavor, value, versatility, or all three.
- It has a “why aren’t more people ordering this?” factor.
The Five Underrated Fast Food Menu Items Worth Ordering
1) McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish
The Filet-O-Fish is the kind of menu item that exists in plain sightand still gets treated like it’s hiding
behind the napkin dispenser. Some people write it off as “that fish sandwich,” but that’s like calling a
well-made grilled cheese “just bread and cheese.” Technically true. Emotionally incorrect.
Here’s why it works: a crispy fish patty, creamy tartar sauce, melty American cheese, and a soft, steamed bun.
The whole thing is salty, savory, and comfortinglike the fast-food version of a cozy sweater that somehow
looks good on everyone (yes, even you).
It’s also underrated because it doesn’t scream for attention. It’s not stacked with five sauces and a
fireworks show. It’s balanced. And when a fast food item is balanced, we’re often suspiciousbecause we’ve been
trained to expect chaos.
How to order it like a pro:
- Ask for it fresh. Politely request a fresh sandwich if your location is able to accommodate.
- Extra tartar sauce if you like it richer and tangier.
- Double it when available (some locations offer a double version, and it turns the “light” sandwich into a real meal).
Why it’s underrated: It’s been around forever, it’s easy to joke about, and it’s not part of the usual
burger-and-nuggets routine. But the flavor is legit, and it’s one of the most “different” options on a menu
that’s otherwise heavy on beef and chicken.
2) Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
Taco Bell is famous for taking the same handful of ingredients and remixing them into new shapes like a
delicious edible transformer. In that carnival of burritos, tacos, and crunchy triangles, the
Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes can get dismissed as “just a side.”
That is a mistake. These are seasoned potato bites topped with warm nacho cheese sauce and reduced-fat sour
creamsimple, yes, but dangerously snackable. The texture is the whole story: crispy edges, soft centers, then
creamy cheese and cool tang from sour cream. It’s comfort food with a little chaotic Taco Bell energy.
What makes this item truly underrated is its versatility. Potatoes can turn nearly anything on
the menu into a heartier, more satisfying orderespecially if you’re looking for a vegetarian-friendly option
or just want a break from the usual protein choices.
Upgrade moves that actually make sense:
- Add jalapeños for heat and crunch.
- Use potatoes as a swap/add-in in other items (a smart way to bulk up tacos or burritos).
- Go sauce-smart: a little chipotle-style sauce or hot sauce can turn “cozy” into “can’t stop eating.”
Why it’s underrated: It sits in the “sides” zone, but it eats like a main character. It’s affordable,
filling, and one of the easiest ways to make your Taco Bell order feel custom without turning it into a 14-step
science experiment.
3) Arby’s Jamocha Shake
Arby’s is often treated like the chain you “forget about” until you remember it exists and then think, “Wait,
why don’t I come here more?” The Jamocha Shake is the perfect example of that phenomenon.
It’s a coffee-and-chocolate milkshake that tastes like dessert and caffeine decided to co-parent peacefully.
The flavor hits a sweet spot: not as bitter as straight coffee, not as sugary as a candy-bar shake. It’s a
frosty, creamy treat with enough mocha vibes to feel a little more grown-up than your average drive-thru dessert.
The underrated part is that a lot of people don’t even realize it’s a signature item. Fast food shakes tend to
blur togethervanilla, chocolate, strawberry, end scene. But this one has an identity. If “late-night treat” is
a mood, the Jamocha Shake is the soundtrack.
How to enjoy it at maximum happiness:
- Pair it with something salty (fries, curly fries, or a sandwich) for that sweet-salty balance.
- Order it when you want dessert but don’t want a full cake commitment.
- Keep it simple: it’s already doing the mostin a good way.
Why it’s underrated: People talk about Arby’s sandwiches and ignore the dessert lineup, but this shake
is a standoutespecially if you like coffee flavors without wanting your dessert to taste like a burnt espresso
lecture.
4) Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Side
Let’s be honest: ordering kale at a fast food drive-thru can feel like showing up to a roller rink in a tuxedo.
Not wrong. Just… unexpectedly responsible.
But the Kale Crunch Side is underrated precisely because it’s not trying to cosplay as a health
halo. It’s actually tasty: a blend of curly kale and green cabbage tossed with an apple cider and Dijon mustard
vinaigrette, topped with crunchy roasted almonds. Translation: it’s bright, tangy, crunchy, and surprisingly
refreshing next to fried chicken.
This is the side you order when you want your meal to feel balanced without sacrificing flavor. It’s also great
for people who are tired of fries but still want something with texture and a satisfying bite.
Best ways to make it work for you:
- Pair it with nuggets or strips to add crunch and acidity to the meal.
- Use it as a “reset” bite between richer foods (it wakes up your taste buds).
- Ask for dressing on the side if you prefer controlling the tang level (and keeping things crisp).
Why it’s underrated: Many people ignore anything green on a fast food menu on principle. Meanwhile, this
side quietly delivers flavor, crunch, and a genuinely nice contrast to the chain’s classic items.
5) Culver’s Pretzel Bites with Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Culver’s has a loyal fan base for a reason: ButterBurgers, frozen custard, and those iconic cheese curds get most
of the attention. But the Pretzel Bites deserve a louder standing ovation.
They’re served hot, with a chewy interior and a lightly crisp exteriorexactly the texture you want from a
pretzel bite. And then there’s the dip: Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Sauce that turns “snack” into “I should’ve
ordered the bigger size.”
The underrated magic is how snackable they are. Cheese curds are amazing, but they’re also heavy and fried in a
way that commits you to the full experience. Pretzel bites feel like a different lane: warm, salty, and perfect
for sharingor for eating alone in your car while telling yourself you’re “saving the rest for later.”
Order tips for peak pretzel joy:
- Go family-size if you’re sharing (or if you’re not sharing but you want options).
- Get extra cheese sauce if your location offers itbecause running out is emotionally devastating.
- Pair with a burger for a salty, savory “two-texture” meal (soft bun + chewy pretzel = good times).
Why it’s underrated: It competes with cheese curds for attention, and that’s like competing with a
celebrity. But as a side, snack, or car-food MVP, pretzel bites are elite.
How to Find Underrated Fast Food Menu Items Anywhere
Once you start looking, hidden-gem fast food orders are everywhere. Here’s a simple checklist to spot them:
- Scan the sides and “extras” sectionsthat’s where the quiet legends live.
- Look for items with contrast (tangy + fried, crunchy + creamy, sweet + salty).
- Notice the “specialty” flavors (like coffee-chocolate) that aren’t default options everywhere.
- Pick one upgrade (extra sauce, add a topping) instead of five. One smart tweak beats a complicated mess.
- Accept the reality: availability varies by location, and that’s part of the fast food adventure.
Drive-Thru Experiences That Prove These Items Deserve More Love (Extra 500+ Words)
If you’ve ever had a fast food “why have I never ordered this before?” moment, you already understand the joy of
underrated menu items. They don’t just taste goodthey feel like you discovered a shortcut to happiness that was
sitting there the whole time.
Picture a road trip stop where everyone’s craving something different. One person wants a burger,
another wants chicken, someone else wants “anything that tastes like comfort.” That’s where the Filet-O-Fish
shines. It’s not competing with the biggest burger on the menuit’s offering a totally different lane: soft bun,
crispy fish, creamy tartar, and that nostalgic fast-food flavor that feels oddly calming when you’ve been
staring at highway signs for hours.
Then there’s the Taco Bell ordering dilemma: you want something filling, but you also want to
try the “new” thing, and somehow your order turns into a chaotic mix of choices. Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes fix that
chaos. They’re the dependable add-on that makes the whole bag feel better. Even when the main item is a little
underwhelming (it happens), the potatoes are the steady friend who shows up on time and brings snacks.
The Jamocha Shake is for the moment when dessert is non-negotiable, but you don’t want to feel
like you just drank melted frosting. It’s especially clutch when you’re sharing food with a group and everyone
claims they “don’t want dessert,” yet somehow every straw in the car starts migrating toward the shake. A
coffee-chocolate flavor also makes it feel like a treat with a pointlike you’re rewarding yourself and
staying awake for whatever you’re doing next (studying, driving, pretending you’re totally fine at 9 p.m. on a
Tuesday).
Chick-fil-A’s Kale Crunch Side is the quiet power move of fast food experiences. It’s what you
order when you’ve had “fried and salty” a little too often lately but still want the comfort of your go-to
chicken order. The tangy dressing and crunchy almonds give your meal a fresh, bright contrast. It’s also a
surprisingly good pick when you’re eating in the car and want something that doesn’t feel like a grease nap is
coming. (Fast food fans know what I mean: that post-meal slump that hits like a weighted blanket.)
And Culver’s Pretzel Bites with Wisconsin cheddar cheese sauce? That’s the experience itemthe
one that turns “we’re grabbing food” into “okay, this is actually a treat.” It’s the side you order when you’re
meeting a friend, picking up dinner for the family, or just having one of those days where you want something
warm, salty, and deeply snackable. Pretzel bites also have the best sharing energy: easy to grab, easy to dip,
and the kind of food that makes everyone talk a little more because the eating rhythm is slower and more fun.
The best part about all five of these underrated fast food menu items is that they don’t require a personality
change to enjoy. You don’t have to become a “fish sandwich person” forever, or a kale evangelist, or someone who
orders dessert “ironically.” You just have to give the underappreciated options one chance. And once you do,
your usual order starts to look a little… predictable.
Conclusion: Give the Underestimated Items Their Moment
Fast food is supposed to be easy, satisfying, and a little fun. These five underrated menu items hit that sweet
spot because they’re not chasing hypethey’re simply good at what they do. Whether you want a classic that’s
been unfairly mocked, a side that eats like a meal, a coffee-chocolate shake that deserves a fan club, a crunchy
“reset” salad, or pretzel bites that turn a drive-thru run into an event, you’ve got options.
Next time you’re in line, consider stepping off autopilot. Your taste buds will thank you. Your wallet might,
too. And your group chat will definitely appreciate the “I found the sleeper pick” energy.
