The Chick-Fil-A Secret Menu You Never Knew About
In Chick-fil-A's blog, The Chicken Wire, management swears they don't have a "secret menu." At least, not like other quick-serve restaurants like In-N-Out burger or McDonald's. For whatever reason, they just don't want to have go-to options people can order without choosing from their standard menu boards. Fair enough, but this company-wide proclamation is also kind of misleading.
In the exact same blog where they claim not to have a secret menu, they provide four suggestions for customizing your orders into very secret menu-like concoctions. Take, for instance, their Double Cookie Milkshake suggestion — order a Cookies & Cream Milkshake and a Chocolate Chip Cookie, and crumble the cookie into your milkshake before you dive in.
Likewise, they offer solutions for ordering a spicier meal: Did you know they offer pepper jack cheese, jalapeno salsa, and sriracha sauce at all of their restaurants? Chick-fil-A's blog also suggests how to makeover some items at home, like pumping up the protein on your chicken sandwich by frying an egg and adding it atop of your chicken patty. The point is, Chick-fil-A is actually all about customizing orders and adding personalization to every meal. The only catch? The restaurant has to have the requested items on-hand, and the personalization can't take an inordinate amount of time to fulfill.
So, let your imagination run wild the next time you pull through the Chick-fil-A drive-thru, starting with these off-menu ideas.
Cookie Icedream sandwich
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Chick-fil-A claims not to have a "secret menu," but no fewer than three times on The Chicken Wire blog, Chick-fil-A suggests making a Cookie Icedream Sandwich by ordering a cup of Icedream soft-serve ice cream and two of their Chocolate Chunk Cookies. First, they suggest the idea in the blog that says they don't have a secret menu (uh-huh, sure), but they also provide a tutorial on exactly how to put one together, and they have a video that shows how to turn it into a holiday-inspired treat. Plus, individual stores are even promoting such a concoction on Instagram.
So, it's true, you do have to build the sandwich on your own time (although if you ask nicely, an associate might do it for you), but it's not exactly an unheard-of request. But here's an extra tip — during the holiday months when Chick-fil-A releases its Peppermint Chocolate Chip Shake, they have peppermint shavings and chocolate chips on hand. Ask for a side of each, and mix them into your Icedream before layering it between your cookies. It's akin to the video tutorial on their website, but with the addition of chocolate chips, and you don't have to crush the peppermints yourself (although you may have to pay a little extra for the sides).
Chick-n-Minis masterpiece
Chick-fil-A's Chick-n-Minis Masterpiece is another "not" secret menu item that Chick-fil-A published on The Chicken Wire. It's pretty straightforward. Grab an order of Chick-n-Minis and an order of hashbrowns. As luck would have it, the hashbrowns are basically perfectly sized for adding to the Chick-n-Minis buns. Dip the hashbrowns in your favorite Chick-fil-A sauce (and if you can't decide, ask for a couple of different flavors), then add the hashbrowns to the minis before eating.
Then, if you want to amp up these mini sandwiches even more, ask for a side of pickles (one pickle per sandwich fits perfectly), or if you happen to live in certain parts of Texas, you can ask for a side of sliced jalapeno peppers to spice things up. One more idea to maximize the size of these minis — ask for a slice of cheese on the side. Fold the cheese into quarters, then tear apart into four equal pieces. Put one piece on each Chick-n-Mini and enjoy.
Buffalo chicken sandwich
The plain ol' Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich is a classic — just a chicken patty with pickles served on a buttered bun. It's hard to argue with its simple perfection, but if you want to branch out and try something different, take a tip from Wide Open Eats and turn it into a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. It honestly couldn't be easier — in some locations, you may be able to ask for a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and receive your sandwich pre-slathered in Chick-fil-A's Zesty Buffalo sauce. If the associate looks confused at your request, just ask for a packet of the Zesty Buffalo sauce on the side. When you receive your order, open up your bun and add the sauce on top.
And no, of course, the Chick-fil-A Zesty Buffalo Sauce isn't the only way to customize your favorite sandwich. In an article on The Southern Weekend, writer Jenna Wood suggests making a sriracha chicken sandwich by asking for a side of sriracha sauce with your sandwich. Then you can pour the sauce on top of your patty, or you can coat the patty completely by following these tips:
- Remove the buns and set them aside.
- Place the chicken patty in the sandwich bag and pour the sauce inside.
- Fold the top of the bag over to keep the sauce inside.
- Shake the bag for a few seconds, thus coating the chicken patty in sauce.
- Remove the patty and replace it in the bun.
- Enjoy!
Strawberry peach milkshake
Peach milkshakes aren't on Chick-fil-A's permanent menu due to the seasonal availability of fresh peaches, but for about three months every summer, Chick-fil-A brings back this fan favorite. The peach milkshake alone gets rave reviews — Spoon University ranked it as the number one flavor of all of Chick-fil-A's frozen treats, but what you might not realize is that you can ask the Chick-fil-A associate to customize your shake into strawberry peach perfection. The fast-food joint offers strawberry milkshakes year-round, so #HackTheMenu points out that all you have to do is ask them to add a little bit of the strawberry topping into the peach milkshake before blending. It's really that simple.
But look, don't stop there with your milkshake customizations. Why not add the strawberry topping to your chocolate milkshake for a chocolate strawberry milkshake? Or ask the associate to put the Oreo cookies that are used to make the cookies & cream milkshake into your chocolate shake order for a chocolate cookies & cream concoction? Stop letting the menu boards limit you — you have more options!
Oh, and another quick tip — you can customize your lemonade or tea this way, too. #HackTheMenu suggests trying a strawberry lemonade (the associates just add the strawberry topping they have available for milkshakes to your lemonade), but there's no reason you couldn't ask for a strawberry tea if you're so inclined.
Root beer float
Chick-fil-A's root beer float is another not-so-secret secret menu item, but it's still a classic. The fast-food restaurant always offers root beer, and its soft-serve Icedream is also always on tap, so all you have to do is ask for a root beer float — it's pretty straight forward. While this float isn't an "official" item, it's popular enough that some stores have offered free root beer floats to customers, like this Houston-area restaurant that promoted them on Facebook.
And if those two pieces of information weren't enough to make you give it a try, up-and-coming professional pop singer, Haven, has also been known to enjoy the treat after recording her music, as she pointed out on her Twitter page in 2015.
All-in-all? The hardest part about ordering a root beer float is deciding what size drink you want to enjoy. (We'd suggest the large — why not, right?)
Spicy chicken, egg, and cheese biscuit
On the official Chick-fil-A breakfast menu, you'll find a Chicken, Egg, & Cheese Bagel, and you'll also find a Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit, but there's absolutely no reason you can't switch out the bagel you get with the former option and replace it with the biscuit you find on the latter to thus enjoy the "secret menu" Chicken, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit. But oh, you'd be remiss if you stopped there. #HackTheMenu points out that you just have to ask for the Spicy Chicken, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit, and your wish is the Chick-fil-A associate's command.
Facebook user Vic Ford raved about this secret menu option on her Facebook page, and one of her friends suggested making it even better by switching out the American cheese for the spicier pepper jack cheese. And remember, if you like things really hot, you can always ask for a side of jalapeno salsa or sriracha sauce to drizzle on top of your chicken patty.
Crispier waffle fries
Standard Chick-fil-A waffle fries are good. People love them. But who doesn't love a crispier french fry, right? Well, there's a hack for that. According to a Buzzfeed article, all you have to do is ask for your fries to be "well done," and you'll be served perfectly crispy waffle fries. Facebook user, Alex Benton, didn't mince words when he posted a picture of his crispier fries to her Facebook page, saying, "Life-changing PSA: Next time you go to Chick-fil-A, order your fries well done. No more soggy fries. You're welcome."
Using the phrase "life-changing" seems a bit overboard, but looking at the image of his perfectly crispy fries is enough to make anyone's mouth water. And he's not the only one who raves about the hack. In a Spoon University article written by former Chick-fil-A employee, Kate Cook, she stated, "This is by far the greatest thing I learned during my time at Chick-fil-A. You can order your fries well done, and they'll be twice-fried." She went on to explain that the shape of the waffle fries are especially good for this double-fry because the outside crisps up nicely while leaving the insides soft. Not only does she subscribe to this tip every time she eats at Chick-fil-A, but she also noted, "It's also the best way to ensure that you're getting the freshest fries possible." And who doesn't want that?
Crispier chicken sandwich
Waffle fries aren't the only menu item you can request "well done." If you're looking for a crispier chicken sandwich, all you have to do is ask for it. According to a Reddit thread discussing Chick-fil-A secret menu items, Reddit user BlankVerse added the tip for ordering a sandwich "well done," and it quickly became clear he wasn't the only one who had tried it out.
Reddit user Kixur413 stated, "Well-done is the only way I'll eat my sandwiches from them now. Can never go back." Another Reddit user happened to agree and chimed in with, "Let 'em fry a little longer, get all them [sic] crispy bits crispier."
And as former Chick-fil-A employee, Kate Cook, noted in her Spoon University article, any sandwich customization (including asking for it "well done") ensures that your sandwich will be made fresh when you place your order. It's a great way to circumvent an associate just grabbing a waiting sandwich out from under the heat lamps.
Chicken sandwich with mac n' cheese
Many other Chick-fil-A secret menu lists, including one on Business Insider, point to a grilled cheese sandwich as a go-to off-menu item. And a Reddit thread with responses from Chick-fil-A employees confirms that, yes, you can order a grilled cheese sandwich (basically a buttered bun with cheese) without too much of a problem. In fact, one response from Reddit user scrambledgreg, relayed that you don't have to jump through any major hoops to place your order, stating, "The person behind me in line the other day ordered, no joke, a 'spicy chicken deluxe sandwich, with bacon added, and without the lettuce, tomato, and chicken' and the cashier just said, 'so you want a bacon grilled cheese' and the woman just sheepishly said 'uh... yeah.'"
Clearly, grilled cheese is an option. As is a bacon grilled cheese or a tomato grilled cheese... take your pick.
But if you're looking for a delicious, cheese-filled Chick-fil-A delight, you're selling yourself short with a basic grilled cheese. Instead, take a note out of Facebook user Memes for Jesus' posts and ask for your favorite chicken sandwich with a side of mac n' cheese. When you receive your sandwich, spoon about half of your mac 'n cheese inside, and — boom! — you have a loaded cheesy, buttery, chicken sandwich that deserves a spot at any trendy restaurant table.
Grilled chicken bagel
In a Reddit thread titled, "Let's compile the Comprehensive Secret Menu for Chick-fil-A. Share your favorite secret menu item," Reddit user Foxbox405 shared that the grilled chicken bagel is their favorite thing to order. It's simply a bagel (always available with breakfast sandwiches) topped with a grilled chicken fillet, Colby jack cheese, tomato, and cream cheese. So think about that — two cheeses, chicken, and a slice of tomato layered between a bagel "bun" — sounds good, right?
Foxbox405 also shared a bunch of other "secret menu" ideas that were shot down by several Chick-fil-A employees because they would be impossible to fulfill at a busy restaurant. These same employees did indicate, however, that this particular off-menu item would be easy to put together. This sentiment is especially true during morning hours when bagels and cream cheese are typically served, stating that it's "even easier to do now with the addition of grilled chicken added to breakfast." But really, it comes down to each restaurant and how much they're willing (or able) to customize at any given time of the day.
Extra pickles
Everyone knows that part of what makes a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich so darn addictive is the two slices of pickles added to each buttered bun. And yes, it's always exactly two pickle slices served with each sandwich. But if you're a pickle lover who just can't get enough of the salty addition, try to do as Reddit user kukucocopuff did and ask for extra pickles. If you're lucky, you'll end up with extra pickles on your sandwich and extra pickles as a side bonus. Perhaps it's not the most exciting secret menu hack, but still, it's an ideal way to enjoy a chicken sandwich, right?
Unfortunately, this Reddit thread indicates it doesn't always work out as anticipated. If you look inside your sandwich and you're disappointed by the number of pickle slices you've been given, just ask for an extra side container of the topping. Sauces at Chick-fil-A are free, so it's unlikely you'll be charged for an extra side of pickles. But even if you are, it'll probably be a minimal addition. Of course, you could always go home and add more from your own stash, too.
Double-breaded sandwiches
There are lots of "go-to" secret menu items that are hardly a secret. Things like, "add bacon!" – sure, it tastes great, but obviously you can add an order of bacon to pretty much whatever you want to eat. The only way this is a "secret" is if you didn't know that Chick-fil-A offers bacon on its menu. Likewise, doubling up on patties is another Chick-fil-A "hack," as pointed out by an article on Couple in the Kitchen, that's certainly not on their regular menu but is standard for pretty much any fast food restaurant if you want some extra meat.
One Chick-fil-A hack that most people don't know is that you can ask for your sandwich to be double breaded. Yes, you can have double the fried breading goodness — double the crispiness, double the crunch — on any crispy chicken sandwich you order. According to an article on Business Insider, detailing the experience of a Chick-fil-A cook, the employee simply has to dip the chicken in milk wash, coat it with breading, dip it in milk wash a second time, coat it in breading again, then put it in the frier.
Facebook user Peter Aaron Victor Holliday confirms on his Facebook page that this is, in fact, a legitimate request, stating, "Y'all have got to get your sandwich double breaded at Chick-fil-A! Share to get the word out!"
So yes. Try it, then share it to get the word out. Everyone has to do their part.