17 Best Things To Order At A Popeye’s

Over the years, Popeyes has developed into far more than a simple fast-food joint serving fried chicken. The Popeye’s menu offers a wide selection of delicious food, with the top 17 being included in this article.

Famous for their chicken, they have incorporated the authenticity of the Southern food culture into their menu, bringing authentic dishes from the South and Louisiana to their international customer base.

17 Best Things To Order At A Popeye’s

Along with its massively successful chicken sandwich, Popeyes is known for its iconic side dishes, many of which you can find out about below.

So, keep on reading as we explore the best food Popeye’s has to offer, and pick the ones you will try next time you find yourself near a Popeye’s store.

1. Mashed Potatoes

If there’s one style of cooked potatoes most people would eat forever, that would be mashed potatoes. That is because they can be enjoyed warm, cold, with or without condiments or sides.

Not only that, but mashed potatoes are also much better calorie- and diet-wise for the average person, especially when compared to the regular fries that are packed with fat and calories.

The Popeyes Mashed Potatoes are the best authentic side dish, so to speak. A spicy Cajun gravy gives the steaming hot, buttery, and flavorful mashed potatoes a Southern kick.

Although it is possible to request mashed potatoes without the gravy to lower the calories, do not skip on it. It is the perfect addition to this menu item.

The perfect level of spice is added to the gravy by a combination of bell peppers, making it an irresistible option.

However, vegetarians are better off without gravy as it contains both chicken and turkey stock. With 140 calories for the regular size and 310 for the large one, this mashed potatoes and gravy menu option deserves to be on this list.

2. Biscuits

During the 70s, which was the time when the eatery was identified as Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken & Biscuits, biscuits were the star attraction. Many years later and we can safely say that they are still the signature item of the restaurant’s menu.

These soft and hot buttermilk biscuits are yet another iconic dishes from Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen that perfectly encapsulates the flavors of Southern cuisine.

A moist, soft center is revealed when the crunchy, buttery crust cracks open. For extra oomph, dip your biscuits in some Popeyes’ Cajun gravy.

If having biscuits with gravy does not sound like much of a complete meal to you, order some fried chicken then, as it comes with a side of biscuits. That way you can make your own chicken biscuit sandwiches!

3. Tenders Meal

Popeyes Chicken Tenders Meal is available in different sizes to feed the whole family or just split between you and your partner and is marinated in a mixture of Louisiana spices.

Popeyes’ popular buttermilk breading is used to bread the hand-formed, succulent chicken breast strips, which are then deep-fried until golden-brown.

Same as the Chicken Sandwich the restaurant offers, these chicken tenders are juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and delicious throughout.

The Chicken Tenders Meal is offered in 3, 5, 8, 12, 16, and 20-piece combinations and includes a classic side dish as well as buttermilk biscuits.

The restaurant also offers a wide variety of dipping sauces. From Blackened Ranch to Bayou Buffalo and Buttermilk Ranch, there is way more to that than some plain ketchup and mayo.

4. Chicken Sandwich

Every so often, a menu item will generate so much buzz that it will result in long lines and sell-outs. This is exactly what has been happening all these years with Popeyes’ iconic Chicken Sandwich.

With all the hoopla, you cannot but try it to see for yourself if it’s worth it. But let us tell you that it absolutely is worth all the hype. Why is that so?

What you get when you order this chicken sandwich is a fresh and toasted brioche bun with sour pickles and your choice of traditional or hot mayo, along with a warm and flavorful chicken breast that has been cooked in a mix of Louisiana spices.

When offered in a takeaway food bag, it gets to stay warm and tasty so that you can still enjoy it in its best state when you get to the office or back home.

We do not exaggerate when we say that this is probably the chicken sandwich that all the chain’s making chicken sandwiches aspire to make.

The Popeyes Chicken Sandwich, which is offered as a combo or à la carte (650 Cals), is still a hot item for franchise stores across the globe.

5. Red Beans And Rice

One of the top Popeyes classic sides that came directly from Louisiana’s kitchen is red beans and rice.

Red kidney beans, a mainstay of Creole cuisine, are gently softened with onion, garlic, bell peppers, and a mixture of seasonings, including thyme, cayenne, and paprika.

They are then added as topping to seasoned rice. Historically, this item’s natural charred flavor came from the addition of meaty products like pork and sausage.

Why must fast food always follow the same-old, monotonous recipes? That is probably the question Popeyes’ wanted to answer by creating something unique.

Popeyes’ success can be chalked up to adhering to its Louisiana heritage. Their Louisiana Kitchen presents sides that aren’t obtainable anywhere else.

Indeed, no other fast-food establishment seems to be recreating traditional recipes and giving them their own twist, which is what makes the Red Beans and Rice one of its best items.

6. Boneless Wings

Popeyes Boneless Wings are delicate small chicken breast bites that can be enjoyed in one bite and dipped in your favorite sauces. They are something between chicken nuggets and chicken wings, and they taste just as good!

These are the best snacks for a movie night or a soccer game evening, and when ordered with some fries or mashed potatoes on the side they can be enjoyed in a complete meal.

These boneless chicken wings at Popeyes are so tasty that they came back by popular demand.

Indeed, while they were originally destined to be a temporary menu item -introduced that year when chicken wings were scarce, the Boneless Wing was intended to be a stopgap – they have now become one of the most popular orders from the restaurant’s menu and have come to stay for good.

With tons of sauces to dip them in, don’t think twice before ordering them on your next visit to Popeyes!

7. Chicken Waffle Tenders

The southern food tradition of the U.S. includes foods like fried chicken and waffles. As we have already mentioned, Popeyes is all about taking the traditional and giving it new life with their own signature.

The Chicken Waffle Tenders are another successful example of how the restaurant does that. Buttery waffle mix is used to cover what becomes a flavorful, crispy chicken in a meal that is simply mouthwatering.

People who are fans of the sweet and savory meal combos know that it can’t get better than this. Rather than using the traditional buttermilk mixture, hand-crafted chicken tenders are dipped in a thin waffle mixture before being deep-fried.

Popeyes successfully recreates a traditional Southern flavor as a delectable fast-food product by serving it with some sweet Honey-Maple sauce on the side.

8. Cajun Fries

Apologies McDonald’s, but the Popeyes Cajun Fries are by far the best takeaway side dish.

Popeyes Cajun fries stand out from those of the rest of the fast-food establishments’ thanks to a combination of Louisiana seasoning (salt and onion powder are only a couple of the ingredients in it).

The fries are deep fried and have a crisp like no other. They are served hot and, while you can always enjoy them with a variety of condiments, they are so tasty that you can eat them on their own to best taste their rich flavor.

Get the Cajun Sparkle, which is a mixture of Cajun spices, or choose from one of Popeyes’ many iconic dipping sauces.

When having them as a side dish, pair them with some fried chicken or the chicken tenders’ meal or get the chicken sandwich. If seafood is what you are craving, then have them with the popcorn shrimp meal.

Coming at 260 calories, they can easily accompany any meal of the above. And if you are on a low-calorie diet, simply order your meal and fries and split it with your partner or friend.

That way you can enjoy the best of Popeyes and still be in your calorie zone!

9. Large Combo Boxes

Large Combo Boxes from Popeyes are available for you to enjoy with your family and friends. These boxes can come with 8, 12, 16, or 20 pieces of fried chicken or chicken tenders.

They range in size, and you can get from 6 to 8 fresh buttermilk biscuits and two or three Popeyes sides. By combining the chicken tenders with the company’s iconic spicy chicken in one serving, you can create the perfect box!

In certain places, this combo box also includes the renowned Popeyes chicken sandwich as an option.

The 5 Sandwich Family Meal includes twelve pieces of the restaurant’s signature chicken, five chicken sandwiches, 6 biscuits, 2 large side dishes, and 5 cinnamon apple pies.

If this sounds like too much for your family, you can go for a 3 or 4 family meal.

10. Cinnamon Apple Pie

If the smell of a Cinnamon roll whenever you pass by a Cinnabon store feels comforting, then the smell of a fresh and hot cinnamon apple pie will definitely feel like home to you.

The cinnamon apple pie at Popeyes serves up that freshly baked delight and can be a warm hug on a cold winter day. Have it with a cup of coffee on your other hand to create the perfect breakfast before you get to work.

In this pie, a warm, cinnamon-flavored apple filling is revealed through a crisp pie shell sprinkled with cinnamon. However, don’t choose this pie as a snack.

With 720 calories per portion, it is not something light you can snack on in a couple of minutes.

11. Popcorn Shrimp Meal

The Popcorn Shrimp Meal is a delectable substitute for people interested in a different experience from that of Popeye’s popular fried chicken.

If you are looking to pair this meal with a side, then try the Cajun fries along with one or more buttery biscuits.

The shrimp are coated in their famously crispy, Louisiana-style breading, while a beverage is also included with this Popcorn Shrimp Meal.

The tart cocktail sauce that you will get when ordering the Popcorn Shrimp meal is also really impressive. It is a combination of horseradish, lemon juice, Louisiana spices, and tomato sauce.

If you love the sound of this meal, then stay updated for any seasonal seafood offerings like Popeyes Wicked Shrimp!

12. Spicy Chicken

Depending on how you are feeling and if you are a fan of spicy food or simply can’t stand it, you can choose to go for or avoid Popeyes Spicy Chicken.

While we understand that you might simply not be able to handle the spiciness, this is one of the best Popeyes menu items, so we had to add it to this list.

The scrumptious, hand-battered chicken breasts on a brioche bun that you would get with chicken sandwiches are still present in the Spicy Chicken Sandwich.

What makes this chicken spicy, though, is the spicy mayo that is added here, which replaces the regular one used for the classic chicken sandwich.

It gives the chicken that Cajun kick, which is quite comparable to a chipotle sauce, taking this sandwich to a whole other level.

Order it with some mashed potatoes to wash your mouth with (water is too boring!) and you are down for some palatable explosions of the pleasant and fiery kind.

13. Ghost Pepper Wings

The ghost pepper is among the spiciest chili peppers on the planet. The flavor of a pepper that is allegedly 170 times hotter than Tabasco sauce is infused into Popeyes Ghost Pepper Wings during a 12-hour marinade.

While they are way hotter than other chicken wings, people who love spicy food might consider them the perfect kick; not too hot, but definitely powerful.

However, if you are not identifying with those people, have some buttermilk ranch dip on the side to make their taste milder and avoid getting sweaty from that very first bite.

There are numerous players in the market that specialize in nothing else but wings, so Popeyes doesn’t really provide a broad selection of chicken wing alternatives. Still, these are amazing!

14. Voodoo Tenders

Voodoo has always had a connection to Louisiana. Therefore, it was fitting for Popeyes to use Halloween to debut a hot Louisiana Kitchen offer.

Sadly, Voodoo Tenders are a seasonal item on the Popeyes food menu.

What you get when you order them is the iconic Popeyes chicken tenders with a hand-battered breading with all the crispiness it can have, coated in fried onion, garlic, and spicy pepper. All that with a Voodoo sauce on top!

The Voodoo sauce combines red chili peppers, pineapple, and sugar, which makes it unique and special on its own. Nevertheless, it is meant to pair with the mild heat that the ghost pepper flavor imparts, and it does so perfectly.

15. Chicken Po’Boy

Chicken tenders, freshly cut lettuce, pickles, and mayonnaise are all included in Popeyes’ Chicken Po’ Boy, which is served on a French baguette.

Even though it has 2 chicken tenders inside, the po’boy sandwich from Popeyes is one of great size. However, you can always order it with some more chicken tenders on the side if you feel very hungry.

When ordering in-store, what you will get is a piping hot chicken in a fresh and soft baguette. The chicken tenders’ crispiness and juicy meat will blend perfectly in your mouth with the taste of the mayo.

The lettuce also adds some freshness, making another great chicken sandwich alternative.

Simple and very satisfying, this Chicken Po’Boy sandwich easily tops most of the other chicken sandwiches from popular restaurants. With 600 calories and 31 grams of protein, it is a complete meal you can enjoy any day of the week.

16. Strawberry Cheesecake Pie

This Popeye’s strawberry cheesecake pie tastes better than many other bakery pies!

Its fluffy pie crust has the perfect thickness to not make you miss the filling’s taste, but also not feel as if you are eating a crustless treat.

As for what’s hidden inside, you should expect nothing less than the perfect strawberry jam-to-cheesecake filling ratio.

Although the jam and cheesecake filling is layered on top of one another instead of being mixed together, the pie still tastes delicious.

Suffice it to say that this Popeyes’ Strawberry Cheesecake Pie is comparable to a warm, fluffy, sugar-laden, gorgeous drug that will steal your heart and mind!

17. Blackberry Cheesecake Pie

The pastry has a classic fluffy pie crust under the fine, crackly, crunchy surface from deep frying.

What you will discover when you have that first bite is a layer of smooth, silky, melted, mildly sweet cream cheese, followed by a layer of sugary, juicy blackberry puree.

Even though blackberries might be the least favorite of your forest fruits and having them in sweet pastry is not the best option for you, we do still urge you to try this pie.

The cheesecake filling adds some extra sweetness and blends perfectly with the blackberry flavor. All this inside a warm crust that keeps them together.

With cream cheese and blackberry jam on the inside, it is an alternative option to the strawberry cheesecake pie that is equally delicious.

The Bottom Line

Popeyes has gone through many changes since it opened as Chicken on the Run in 1972. The chain has benefited from staying true to its Southern roots and has stayed unique in presenting many classic Southern recipes the fast-food style.

Their food goes beyond simple snacks and burgers by providing unique side dishes, many of which we have listed above as they are simply some of the best things you can order from the restaurant’s menu,

The 17 menu items we have listed above are exceptional and can easily top their equivalent contenders from other big fast-food chains. So, if you are planning to stop by a Popeye’s soon, save this list to order the best items on the menu!

Frequently Asked Question

Are Popeyes Cajun Fries Good?

All the meals from the massive fast-food restaurant chain must be accompanied by Popeyes’ Cajun Fries. These fries are made with their Cajun seasoning and are both full of flavor and hot.

It simply gives your food more flair whilst also serving as a perfectly decent meal option a standalone item.

17 Best Things To Order At A Popeye’s

17 Best Things To Order At A Popeye’s

Recipe by Jenna
Course: Dinner
0 from 0 votes

Ingredients

  • Mashed Potatoes

  • Biscuits

  • Tenders Meal

  • Chicken Sandwich

  • Red Beans And Rice

  • Boneless Wings

  • Chicken Waffle Tenders

  • Cajun Fries

  • Large Combo Boxes

  • Cinnamon Apple Pie

  • Popcorn Shrimp Meal

  • Spicy Chicken

  • Ghost Pepper Wings

  • Voodoo Tenders

  • Chicken Po’Boy

  • Strawberry Cheesecake Pie

  • Blackberry Cheesecake Pie

Directions

  • Pick a recipe from above
  • Click the recipe name and visit the website
  • Collect the ingredients and the food
  • Enjoy- don’t forget to leave a review

Recipe Video

Jenna
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