Popeyes Side Dishes: A Shameless Ranking
Side Chickens
Popeyes deals in comfort food, from the top of its menu to the bottom. The New Orleans-style chicken chain is known for its fried chicken, but we all know the truth: There’s no such thing as a great fried chicken dinner unless you’ve got side dishes that perfectly complement the star of the show. Popeyes knows this, too.
But if you've only got two slots to fill in a combo plate, what are you choosing? I tried them all, and I've got the answers you seek. Here are six Popeyes sides, ranked.
Prices and availability are subject to change. All calorie information is taken direction from Popeyes' provided nutrition information.
Best Popeyes Side: Red Beans and Rice
Price: $3.49
Calories: 250
There are not many fast-food sides that can compare to Popeyes’ red beans and rice. The stuff is true, next-level umami. You’ve got smoky red beans, Cajun rice, and soulful, rich flavors to bring them all together. I’ve been to more than a few restaurants in the city of New Orleans that didn’t even have red beans and rice this good. If you leave Popeyes without it, you’re out of your mind.
2. Homestyle Mac and Cheese
Price: $3.99
Calories: 280
This is the exact type of mac I dream about when the craving hits. It’s thick, it’s cheesy, and none of it tastes like fake cheese sauce. This tastes exactly how soulful, Southern mac and cheese should taste.
3. Buttermilk Biscuits
Price: $1.29
Calories: 210
Fast-food restaurants have done a good job figuring out biscuits, but Popeyes’ biscuits are some of the best. They hold together very nicely, and they’re even a little bit perforated for easy halving. Chicken sliders, here I come.
Related: Free Fries, Half-Price Burgers, and 23 More Fast-Food Deals To Grab Right Now
4. Mashed Potatoes and Cajun Gravy
Price: $3.49
Calories: 110
Oh-so-buttery. Oh-so-peppery. The Cajun gravy brings a layer of extra flavor that those creamy mashed potatoes need, and really, no other fried chicken chain should bother competing.
Related: The Most Popular Chicken-Centric Fast Food Chains, Ranked
5. Cajun Fries
Price: $3.49
Calories: 270
Don’t take this fifth place ranking to mean Popeyes' Cajun fries are bad. They’re actually great, but I’ve never been a person who thinks fried chicken needs french fries on the side. You’re a lot better off grabbing any of the sides listed above, instead.
Related: "Barbaric": Popeyes Customers Assault Workers, Vandalize Store Over Missing Jalapeños
6. Coleslaw
Price: $3.49
Calories: 140
There’s a whole lot of dill going on in this slaw, and while I like it quite a bit, the dill becomes distracting. I’d stick it right under KFC’s slaw. Still doesn’t bother me too much.
The Verdict
When it comes to Popeyes, there are no bad side dishes. The coleslaw wasn't our favorite, especially compared to coleslaw at other fried chicken chains.
That being said, for our money, the red beans and rice and mac and cheese are the clear standouts.
How We Ranked Popeyes Sides
We ordered Popeyes sides via a delivery app and taste-tested this at home. We feel that the delivery time did not negatively affect the quality of the sides compared to eating it at a Popeyes location.
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This article was originally published on Cheapism
