Popular Wingstop Menu Items, Ranked Worst To Best

There are so many fast food and fast casual chains to choose from, but unfortunately, many offer the exact same thing as all the others. You can bet on seeing plenty of burgers, chicken sandwiches, and maybe even a hot dog or two. However, not every fast casual spot offers amazing chicken wings. And that's exactly why we love Wingstop so much. It's pretty much the perfect place to go if you're looking for amazing wings in a variety of flavors.

However, if you think that Wingstop only has wings on its menu, you couldn't be more wrong. In addition to a ton of really amazing flavors, there are lots of sides on the menu as well. In fact, once you take a look at the whole menu, you'll realize that there's a lot to choose from. How do you know what to get to ensure you have the best meal possible?

No worries, because we've done all the work for you by compiling a list of some of the most popular items on the Wingstop menu and rating them. We've started with the worst of the worst and made our way down to the most delicious items on the menu so you'll have a good idea of what to expect when you order any given item. Ready to see how your favorites rank? Let's take a closer look.

21. Hawaiian wings

We all know about the controversy surrounding Hawaiian pizza. Some love it with its mix of sweet and savory flavors. Others absolutely hate it and are actively grossed out by the idea of pineapple on pizza. But now, that controversy can move into the space of wings instead. Enter Wingstop's Hawaiian wings. Now, this is just our opinion, and you can feel free to disagree, but this wing sauce is just not good. That's because it's way, way too sweet. Sure, a little sweetness can be a good thing, but this much, and your wings are just going to taste too strong.

On the company's website, it says that this wing flavor features "rich Asian flavors." We're not really sure what that means considering "Asian food" is a massive culinary category that contains countless food cultures and flavors. But to be honest, we didn't really taste much else other than the overwhelming sweetness of the sauce. The chicken is good, sure, but the meat isn't what's on display here. It can't be, not in the face of that sauce.

Of course, some people want a milder wing sauce, and that's totally okay. But there are much better options to choose from if you just want to avoid the heat.

20. Veggie sticks

Now, look. We don't have anything against vegetables. They're delicious, and considering their nutritional content, pretty much all of us should be eating more of them. When you go out to a restaurant that has a lot of food that's less than healthy (sorry, Wingstop, but we have to admit that includes you), it's an even better idea to get something fresh to pair with a dish like wings. However, the veggie sticks at Wingstop are way, way too basic to justify spending extra money on them.

There's nothing special about these veggie sticks at all. They're just exactly what you would find in an elementary school cafeteria: carrot and celery, and that's it. There are no other veggies, and there's no specialty dipping sauce apart from what the restaurant offers generally. And it's not that you can't enjoy a good serving of veggie sticks, but there's just no reason to buy them from a restaurant when you could get the same exact thing at your local grocery store — and probably for a lot cheaper.

If you really want to get the most bang for your buck when you go to Wingstop, just forget the veggie sticks and eat them at home instead. Your wallet will thank you.

19. Fresh baked rolls

Sometimes, you just need a carby side to go with your mostly meaty meal. That makes perfect sense, especially when you're eating something as rich as wings. Therefore, you might consider ordering some fresh baked rolls when you're at Wingstop. We're here to tell you, though, that you might be sorely disappointed if you decide to go this route. Why? Because the bread is simply not that good. These rolls are incredibly bland and taste like the cheapest dinner rolls money could buy at your local grocery store bakery. While they're not offensively bad, they also leave a lot to be desired, and we think it's better that you pass up on them entirely.

While bread is nice on the side of any meal, rolls aren't really necessary to enjoy your chicken wings. They're not foods that usually end up together on the same dinner plate, anyway, so why bother? And with so many other amazing sides to choose from, you shouldn't waste your time or money on something that isn't going to make your mouth water.

18. Seasoned fries

We don't think the seasoned fries that you'll find at Wingstop are bad, per se. But when you compare them to the other fries and different sides on the menu, we think that these are one menu item that you can definitely leave in the dust. While they are supposedly covered in a special mix of spices, that surprisingly doesn't mean you're going to get much flavor out of them. We also thought they weren't salty enough, which is basically the entire point of eating fries in the first place. And as far as the other spices go? They seem to be barely there at all. It's not exactly the kind of thing you want to pair with super flavorful chicken wings.

They may be a viable solution for you if you're trying to feed kids or dealing with a picky eater. But there are other, more exciting fry options on the menu for anyone else who's looking for something that's actually exciting and different than what you'll find at every other restaurant out there.

17. Wingstop tenders

The wings at Wingstop are, of course, top-notch. No matter which flavor you go with, you know you're going to get tender, juicy wings that you won't be able to stop yourself from polishing off in one sitting. However, just because the wings are excellent doesn't mean you should assume that all the chicken at Wingstop is going to be of the same quality. For instance, take the Wingstop tenders. If you ask us, they're surprisingly disappointing compared to the other menu items. They're kind of dry, for one, and the breading leaves a lot to be desired. In fact, we think you should just stick to the standard wings altogether.

One great thing about the tenders at Wingstop, though, is the fact that you can get them in any Wingstop flavor you want. And we guess if you're not really a bone-in chicken person, this may seem like a viable option. You'll also have the opportunity to buy different-sized packs of tenders, so you can either just feed yourself or an entire family as necessary. But, if you'd like to take our advice, be sure that you don't get your hopes up too much when you order these things.

16. Mild wings

We know that not everyone loves spicy foods. If you have a relatively weak stomach or just possess some super-sensitive taste buds, then a wildly spicy sauce is probably just not going to be in your wheelhouse, and that's totally okay. But when you want to opt for a sauce that's on the milder side, we encourage you to go for something a little bit more interesting than the disappointing mild wings you'll find at Wingstop.

Wondering why there isn't a more clever name for this flavor? That's probably because it's so incredibly boring that even the recipe developers didn't want to bother putting in any more effort than they had to. The Wingstop website says that the mild sauce is the same thing as the signature hot sauce, but it's just been toned down a little. The thing is, it doesn't taste like that at all. Rather, when you get the mild wings, they're just going to taste like they were glazed in a largely tasteless sauce. With several milder options on the menu that can actually appeal to your taste buds without bringing too much heat, you don't have to stoop to the monotony of plain old, boring mild wings.

15. Hickory smoked BBQ wings

Another one of the milder flavors on the menu is the hickory smoked BBQ wings. When you first hear about it, it probably sounds pretty good, perhaps even amazing. The best barbecue sauces make just about any meat taste better, but they do something special to chicken specifically, elevating a mild flavor into something bigger and bolder. That may have you ordering these wings without even considering the other options available to you. But if we're honest, we don't think this is a great flavor amongst the Wingstop lineup.

We were hoping that we would pick up on the smoky notes of this sauce, but it seems like they're barely there at all. What you get instead is a weirdly sweet sauce that really doesn't do anything for the wings at all. It definitely doesn't taste like these things just got off the grill at your local neighborhood BBQ, that's for sure.

While we agree with Wingstop in their assertion that this flavor is "bold," it's not necessarily bold in a good way. The flavor is strong, sure, but it's picking up all the wrong notes for us. If you really love BBQ-flavored meat, then you may want to consider this flavor, at least in a small dose. Otherwise, save your money for some of the better options below.

14. Cheese fries

Remember how we mentioned that we didn't love the seasoned fries you can find when you eat at Wingstop? We stand by that take in part because the cheese fries offered by the restaurant are just so much better. Of course, they start with the same rather flavorless base, which is why these cheese fries aren't ranked better on this list. With such a bland background flavor to begin with, you can't rightfully expect these to be the best fries you've ever had just because there's some cheese on top. Therefore, we'd still have to categorize these fries as lackluster, unfortunately.

But there is something really special about these fries, and it all comes down to the cheese sauce. This isn't your average cheese sauce. Instead, it has a hint of jalapeño thrown into the mix. That adds a whole new dimension of flavor and an edge of spicy heat to the dish. The cheese won't cover all of the fries, to our dismay, but the ones that do get doused in the sauce are actually pretty incredible.

13. Louisiana rub wings

There are some people who don't really love super spicy food, but who don't want to settle for a sauce that's bland and unimaginative, either. That's where the Louisiana rub flavor comes into the mix. While this is definitely not the best flavor of the Wingstop bunch, it's something we can at least work with. This dry rub has a distinctly Cajun flavor to it, which is unusual in the world of chicken wings — and we're here for it. Since it's a bit of an unusual find, we think it's pretty exciting. Plus, because the wings are covered in a rub and not a sauce, a change that allows the skin of the wings to get extra crispy.

That being said, the Louisiana rub wings do not even come close to taking the cake in this ranking. While we love a dry rub, we think that the chicken can get a bit too dry when you choose this option. Plus, it's not as spicy as you might expect a Cajun dry rub to be. We'll leave it up to you to decide if this one is worth trying out.

12. Lemon pepper wings

When it comes to mild wings, you can't go wrong with a lemon pepper flavor, no matter where you are. Lemon pepper is one of those classic flavors that just about everyone likes, regardless of whether or not they generally order spicy wings or not. And luckily, the lemon pepper dry rub you'll find at Wingstop definitely isn't bad. It's got plenty of that citrusy taste, and the pepper lends the slightest amount of heat. But don't worry! These wings are definitely not going to be hot — just about anyone should be able to eat them regardless of their spice tolerance.

However, one of the best parts of going to a place like Wingstop is the fact that you have so many different wing flavors to choose from. While at a normal bar, you may only have two or three options, at Wingstop, you have a ton of choices. Therefore, we don't necessarily think you should go with something as basic and as ubiquitous as lemon pepper dry rub unless that's what you're really craving.

Moral of the story? You're probably not going to be blown away by this lemon pepper dry rub, but there's still an excellent chance you'll enjoy your wings to the very last bite.

11. Cheese sauce

Sure, the wings at Wingstop are generally already well-sauced and spiced, so you may not think you need anything else. You don't want to get greedy when it comes to condiments, after all. But you're missing out on all that Wingstop has to offer if you don't try to order the cheese sauce at least once. This jalapeño cheese sauce is the same stuff that goes on the cheese fries, and we have to admit, it tastes delicious.

While the flavor mostly relies on the salty, umami-rich flavor of the cheese, the jalapeño is the factor that adds that much-needed kick to the whole affair. Without it, the cheese sauce may be a bit boring, but with it, it's actually really delicious. Our main tip is to get creative about what you want to pair this sauce with. Sure, you can dip your fries into it, but you can always use it for a wing dipping sauce as well.

And since it's offered in different-sized containers, you can always get some extra and use it for something completely different at home. It's definitely worth a try if you're a diehard cheese lover at heart.

10. Cajun wings

You already know that we love the Cajun kick that accompanies the Louisiana rub flavor at Wingstop. However, the rest of that dry rub left a lot to be desired in the texture department. And that's why we're so happy that the Cajun sauce exists too because it's way better. Admittedly, this one does have a bit more heat to it because it's mixed with the original Wingstop hot sauce, so if that sort of heat is not your thing, then this may not go over as a hit with you. But if you love a bit of extra spice on your wings, then this may just be the flavor for you.

The hot sauce provides the much-needed heat that the Cajun spice was missing, but the Cajun spice gives it an interesting dimension to an otherwise pretty standard sauce. It's still not the best sauce on the menu, but we'd definitely consider it if we were ordering several different flavors at a time. This is a flavor you're not going to find at every spot that sells chicken wings, so it's definitely worth giving it a try at once to see if you're a fan.

9. Triple chocolate chunk brownie

If you're like us, you love finishing off your meal with something sweet. There's just nothing like finishing a big plate of wings and then diving into a perfectly delicious dessert to cap it all off. Unfortunately, there aren't that many dessert options available to you when you dine at Wingstop — it is a wings place, after all. However, there is one dessert that's actually pretty good, should you choose to order it: the triple chocolate chunk brownie. This is something that has wide appeal. Is it groundbreaking, interesting, or different than any other brownie you've ever had? Well, no. But most brownies are good regardless of those sorts of details, and so is this one.

The actual brownie tastes like rich chocolate, while the chocolate chunks inside add a bit of texture to what would otherwise be an admittedly mushy dessert. It will definitely fulfill your sweet craving after a big meal. We would guess that unless you don't like chocolate, this dessert is a pretty safe bet.

8. Garlic Parmesan wings

We love some spicy wings here at Mashed. But that doesn't mean we can't see the value in a good old mild wing as well. That's why we really like the garlic Parmesan wings at Wingstop. Even though this flavor doesn't have any spice to it, it still packs a major punch when it comes to flavor. As far as the garlic, well ... how can you go wrong when you have tons of garlic involved? We will warn you that these things are really, really garlicky, so if you're not into that, then this definitely should not be your order.

But the garlic isn't doing all the heavy lifting on its own. The Parmesan cheese plays an equally essential role in this dry rub. It's got that savory saltiness that makes these wings downright addictive. While the flavors are really simple, they're classics that pair perfectly together. While they may not be as exciting as some of the spicier options, the intensity of this option definitely marks the garlic Parmesan dry rub as one of the best of the bunch. Give it a try if you're looking for something on the milder side.

7. Buffalo ranch fries

Alright, we know that this one isn't going to go down well with everyone. After all, ranch dressing can sometimes be a controversial condiment. Some people love to dip everything from veggies to hot wings into it, while others think it's an abomination to cover a salad or anything else in what's basically savory milk. And while we don't generally love ranch in its own right, that doesn't mean it can't be featured well in a dish. One dish that utilizes ranch as a prominent flavor? The Buffalo ranch fries. Yes, as you may have guessed, these fries are doused in ranch. But the real miracle is the addition of hot sauce to the mix.

The ranch and hot sauce combination is perfect because the ranch offers a creamy flavor and texture, while the hot sauce lends a spicy and acidic edge to things. When the two come together, it really is the best of both worlds. While we've already mentioned that the base fries at Wingstop aren't very exicting, when they're covered in so much sauce, it doesn't really matter that the seasoning isn't exactly on point. If you are looking for an indulgent side dish that will go well with just about any hot wing flavor on the menu, you've got it in the Buffalo ranch fries.

6. Atomic wings

Not everyone is a huge fan of spice, and if you fit into that category, then you can just skip over this section completely. That's because you're definitely not going to want to order the incredibly spicy atomic wings offered by Wingstop. As in, you need to be ready with lots and lots of water on hand if you decide to take these on. But unlike a lot of other hot sauces that only focus on the heat, this hot sauce actually has quite a nice flavor too beneath all that spice. It's savory but not too salty, which means that you can focus on the spiciness more than anything.

While this is the hottest hot wing sauce available at Wingstop, it's probably not the hottest you've ever had in your life. There are definitely sauces out there that are way, way spicier. But oftentimes, those aren't even particularly enjoyable. If you love spicy food, then you'll be able to eat several of these in one sitting without breaking out in a sweat. On the other hand, if you're sensitive to spice, you can definitely pass these up.

5. Cajun fried corn

Wondering what kind of side dish you can order that's not just another order of fries? Well, you're in luck because the Cajun fried corn is one of the best items on the entire menu, let alone just the selection of sides. Of course, corn on the cob is always good, but when you fry it? That's when it becomes the star of the show. An order of these isn't going to fill you up, but it will provide just enough of a side to complement an order of wings.

Not only are the corn cobs fried, but they're also sprinkled with both the fry seasoning and the Cajun seasoning. Is the fry seasoning amazing? Not really. But when it's paired with the Cajun seasoning as well, it seems to work really nicely. This may not be the healthiest veggie dish you can order, but when you're going to Wingstop, you're probably there to treat yourself anyway. And since you can't find fried corn at just any random old restaurant, you should definitely try it if you haven't gotten the chance to yet.

4. Spicy Korean Q wings

We can't rightfully say how authentically Korean this flavor really is, but if you're looking for a wing sauce that offers an amazing mix of spicy and sweet, then you can't go wrong with the spicy Korean Q wings at Wingstop. There are a lot of different flavors that go into making this sauce, which is probably why we like it so much. The flavor of the garlic and the ginger is really strong, which offers a complexity that you won't find in many other Wingstop flavors. In addition to that amazing base, you also have the added Sriracha and crushed red pepper, which add the perfect amount of heat. When all of it comes together, it creates a flavor unlike most other wing sauces you've ever tried.

There's also a hint of sweetness, and we can't really figure out where that's coming from. At any rate, it tastes amazing, and we'd order it on our wings any day. If you're looking for one of the most unique and creative flavors of the bunch, then we think that this one may just be your best option.

3. Original hot wings

Sometimes, you can't beat simplicity done well, and that's certainly the case when it comes to chicken wings. When you want wings that are nice and spicy but you don't want anything too out of the ordinary, what should you order from Wingstop? We'd recommend the original hot flavor. As the name suggests, this was actually Wingstop's very first sauce created by the chain, so it has a relatively long history. If it's stuck around for this long, there must be something special about it, right?

While this sauce is hot, it's not overwhelmingly spicy. Even if you're not the kind of person who can take a lot of spice, you may be able to enjoy a few of these without feeling like your tongue is going to burn off. And like all great hot sauce flavors, these wings aren't just going to bring the heat. The flavor also offers a lovely tang that almost breaks up the spiciness a bit. If it's your first time going to Wingstop, this is going to be one of the first sauces you'll want to try — just trust us on this one.

2. Louisiana Voodoo fries

You've already figured out exactly what kind of wings you want from Wingstop, but you haven't decided what kind of side you prefer? With so many different choices, it can be difficult to make a decision. While there are several good options at your disposal, if you really want the best of the best when it comes to the sides menu, you're simply going to have to opt for the Louisiana Voodoo fries. Is the use of the term "voodoo" potentially problematic? Yes. But if you're just looking at the dish itself, it's definitely a success.

These fries really have the best of all worlds. On top of the seasoned fries, you'll find plenty of ranch dressing, just like you'll get in the Buffalo ranch fries. But it doesn't stop there, because the fries are also topped with that delicious cheesy jalapeño sauce as well. Add in the Cajun seasoning, and you can see why this side dish is such a hit. Is the flavor strong? Absolutely. But that's probably what you want when you're finding something that will complement your plate of wings.

1. Mango habanero wings

We don't always like it when sweetness and spiciness are combined. It's hard to get that balance right as, sometimes, there's just too much of one element and not enough of the other and the whole affair is thrown off. But when it comes to the mango habanero wings, we really think that Wingstop knocked it out of the park. With this sauce, you definitely taste a distinct mango flavor. It's nice and sweet, but it has a tanginess to it that brightens and complicates the taste. Also, the sweetness is not cloying, unlike lots of other sweet sauces out there.

The habanero is where the real magic happens, though. As you probably already know habaneros are pretty spicy peppers. But while this sauce is definitely pretty spicy, it's not so spicy that it's overwhelming. Instead, the heat is just strong enough to balance the sweetness of the mango flavoring. When it all comes together, the sauce coats your wings in the most deliciously sweet and spicy fashion. If you're going to try any wing flavor at Wingstop, we think it should be this one.