Few side dishes beat a hot, crunchy onion ring pulled straight from the fryer. The trouble is that plenty of places serve sad, greasy rings that fall apart on the first bite.
Some chains get it right, with golden batter, sweet onions, and a satisfying snap. Here are seven spots across the country where the rings deserve a seat at the main table.
1. Culver’s, Brookfield, WI
Wisconsin knows its comfort food, and this Brookfield Culver’s on North 124th Street proves it with every basket. Most folks come for the famous ButterBurgers and frozen custard.
Smart eaters add a side of onion rings and never look back.
The rings come out golden and crisp, and they happen to be vegan, so nearly everyone at the table can share. Pair them with a Smoked Cheddar Curderburger value basket or a cup of Boston clam chowder for a full Midwest feast.
Burgers here are made with Midwest beef and dairy, and that local pride shows.
Ordering is counter service, and the dining room stays clean and bright. Families get high chairs, a kids’ menu, and changing tables.
Outdoor seating welcomes dogs, too.
Hours run 10 AM to 10 PM every day, with a typical bill landing between $10 and $20 per person. Friday and Saturday evenings get packed, partly thanks to the fish fry crowd.
Want a calmer visit? Swing by on a weekday or try the drive-through or curbside pickup.
Parking is free and easy, and free Wi-Fi makes it a handy lunch stop for students and solo diners alike.
2. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews, Brighton, CO
Picture a stack of onion rings so tall it needs its own skewer. That is the Towering Onion Rings plate at Red Robin in Brighton, and it shows up at the table like a crunchy skyscraper.
The rings are vegan, thick, and built for sharing with the whole crew. Sweet potato fries and bottomless fries round out the side options, so nobody leaves hungry.
Wash it all down with a root beer float, a house favorite for kids and grown-ups.
Unlike most spots on this list, Red Robin offers full table service. Servers move fast, and the casual, slightly trendy room works for birthday parties, game nights, or a quick solo lunch.
Adults can pick from beer, cocktails, and wine at the bar.
You’ll find it at 2021 Prairie Center Parkway, open 11 AM to 10 PM daily. Expect to spend about $10 to $20 each.
Friday and Saturday evenings fill up quickly, so plan ahead or order curbside pickup or delivery.
Bonus points for thoughtful touches like a braille menu, a full vegetarian menu, and high chairs. Parking is plentiful, which is always welcome after a long day of errands.
3. Habit Burger & Grill, Irvine, CA
Can’t choose between fries and rings? Habit Burger & Grill in Irvine solved that problem for you.
Its Onion Rings & Fries combo puts both in one order, so the debate ends before it starts.
The rings are vegan and fried to a light crunch. They play nicely alongside the main event, which is a charbroiled burger with a smoky edge.
Feeling adventurous? The tempura green beans make a fun side swap, and the sweet potato fries have their own fan club.
Not in a burger mood? The menu also covers grilled chicken sandwiches, salads, and a veggie Charburger.
Kids can grab crispy chicken bites from their own menu.
Find it at 14474 Culver Drive. Doors open at 10 AM daily and close at 10 PM, or 10:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Most meals land in the $10 to $20 range.
Here’s an insider tip: weekday afternoons into the evening, especially Monday through Wednesday, get busy. Late evenings are quieter.
Grab a seat on the patio when the Southern California sun cooperates, which is most of the time. Parking is free and easy to find.
4. Fatburger, West Hollywood, CA
It’s 1 AM on Santa Monica Boulevard, and you’re craving something crunchy. Good news: Fatburger in West Hollywood stays open late, and its homemade onion rings are calling your name.
This long-running, LA-born chain has been flipping burgers in several sizes for decades. The rings are made in-house and happen to be vegan.
Order them next to an Impossible Burger and one of Craig’s vegan shakes, in strawberry or Maui-banana, for a fully plant-based feast.
Prefer something messier? Chili cheese fries are on the menu, and so are the famously thick fat fries.
Hours are a night owl’s dream. The doors stay open until 1 AM Sunday through Wednesday and until 2 AM Thursday through Saturday, opening at 11 AM daily.
Expect to pay around $10 to $20 per person.
The vibe is casual and surprisingly calm, with quick counter service and a clean dining room. Evenings bring the biggest crowds, while mornings stay quiet.
Delivery, including no-contact drop-offs, is available if the couch wins. Dogs are welcome outside, and parking is easier than you’d expect for this part of town.
5. A&W Restaurant, Lexington, KY
Some pairings are just meant to be, and onion rings with an ice-cold root beer float is one of them. A&W on War Admiral Way in Lexington serves both, inside a fun 1950s-style burger joint.
Root beer is the star here, since the brand is named for it. Still, the crispy vegan onion rings hold their own.
Want to get creative? Try the Caramel Root Beer Cream Freeze or a Caramel Dirty Root Beer for a sweet twist.
Other crowd-pleasers include cheese curds, chili cheese fries, burgers, and chicken. The service is counter-style, and the dining room is kept neat and tidy.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM Sunday through Thursday, and until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. A meal usually costs about $10 to $20 per person.
Timing matters. Sunday afternoons and weekend evenings bring the heaviest crowds, while Wednesday mornings and evenings are much calmer.
In a rush? Use the drive-through, curbside pickup, or delivery.
Fun fact: A&W has been pouring root beer for over a century, so this float has some serious history behind it. Parking is free and plentiful.
6. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Wichita, KS
Wichita is where Freddy’s got its start, so eating here feels a bit like visiting the home team. The West 21st Street location keeps that vintage diner charm alive with smashed steakburgers, hot dogs, and frozen custard.
Now, about those onion rings. They’re crispy, golden, and vegan, with a crunch you can hear across the booth.
They make a perfect break from the extra crispy shoestring fries, which are made to order.
Big appetite? The Triple Steakburger is a towering challenge.
The chili cheese dog is another tasty pick. Save room for a custard cone, because dessert is a big deal here.
Hours run from 10:30 AM to 10 PM most days, stretching to 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Most meals cost $10 to $20 per person.
Wednesday and Friday evenings are the busiest times. Afternoons and late nights are usually smoother.
You can order through the drive-through, curbside pickup, or delivery if you’d rather eat at home.
Families will find high chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu. Free Wi-Fi, outdoor seating, and dog-friendly patio space make it an easy everyday stop.
7. Runza Restaurant, Lincoln, NE
Ask any Nebraskan about Runza and you’ll probably get a smile. This homegrown chain is famous for its namesake German-style sandwich, a warm bread pocket stuffed with savory filling.
Ask about the onion rings, though, and the smile gets even bigger.
The rings at the Lincoln location near 87th and Andermatt Drive have earned a loyal following. They’re crispy, well-seasoned, and often called perfect.
Many regulars pair them with an iced tea and a classic Runza for the ultimate local meal.
The menu also offers burgers, crinkle-cut fries, chicken wraps, and budget-friendly ice cream.
Inside, the dining room is spotless and calm, with comfortable seating and a cozy fireplace that feels great on cold Nebraska nights. Outdoor seating is available when the weather is nice.
Hours are 10 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday, and 10 AM to 5 PM on Sundays. Sunday afternoons get the busiest, so arrive early or use the drive-through.
Most meals cost about $10 to $20 per person.
Free Wi-Fi, high chairs, and a kids’ menu make it easy for families, and parking is never a headache.
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