I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (2025)

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Review by Meredith Schneider

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (1)

  • I ordered basic salads at Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's to see which chain was best.
  • Wendy's used to rule the salad game, but I was underwhelmed by my Cobb there.
  • If you want quality on a budget, Chick-fil-A's customizable salads are the way to go.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (2)

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I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (3)

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I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (4)

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Fast-food restaurants aren't necessarily known for their healthy options. Heck, McDonald's has vehemently exited the salad game at US locations, in part due to a lack of interest.

Local restaurants and salad-specific chains like Sweetgreen and Just Salad are on the rise, but if you know where to look, there are still some great options at the drive-thru.

I tried basic salads at Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's to see which offered the tastiest dish for the best value.

Here's how the fast-food chains stacked up.

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First, I ordered a Cobb salad at Wendy’s.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (5)

I started my taste test at Wendy's, my old go-to spot when I needed a salad fast.

The chain's salad menu does have some nice variety, though, with Caeser, Cobb, apple-pecan, and taco options.

For this comparison, I went with the basic Cobb.

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The Cobb salad comes with crispy onions.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (6)

A traditional Cobb usually has greens, tomatoes, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, blue cheese, grilled chicken, and a vinaigrette dressing. Wendy's version wasn't too far off, but it swapped in cheddar cheese and ranch dressing.

I got two packets of dressing with the salad and a bag of crispy onions to sprinkle on top.

The ranch wasn't particularly flavorful, but the addition of the onions added a dash of flavor and crunch.

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Wendy’s is no longer the salad savant.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (7)

The Cobb salad cost me $9.13 at Wendy's, and despite being on the smaller side for this taste test, it was pretty filling.

My biggest complaints were that the grilled chicken and ranch were a bit on the bland side, and the bowls felt flimsy and shallow, making it difficult to blend the ingredients.

I remember Wendy's salads being bigger and a little more impressive, but maybe it's just been a while since I've had one.

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Zaxby’s was my second Cobb salad of the evening.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (8)

Next, I drove over to the closest Zaxby's location. The chain is primarily known for its seasoned and breaded fried chicken.

A salad isn't the first thing that comes to mind when I think about Zaxby's — I'm personally a fan of its funnel cakes and other fried foods. So I wasn't surprised that the chain only sold two Zalad options: Cobb and house.

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This Cobb had near-perfect portions.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (9)

With mixed greens, hard-boiled egg, cheese, carrots, red cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, fried onions, and fried chicken, Zaxby's salad was certainly fully loaded. But despite all the accouterments, I thought the ratios were spot-on.

Similarly to Wendy's, Zaxby's uses cheddar jack instead of blue cheese, perhaps because the stinky variety isn't everyone's favorite.

For the dressing, I had a choice of ranch, honey mustard, or vinaigrette, and the salad came with a hearty piece of Texas toast on the side.

I also really appreciated that I was in and out with my salad in less than four minutes. I like fast food that's actually fast.

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Zaxby's had the biggest and most expensive salad.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (10)

Zaxby's salad came in a more substantial container than the others, which also meant the portion size was a bit bigger. But it was the priciest salad at $12.60.

I was already a fan of the chain's top-notch fried chicken, and enjoying it on top of a colorful salad ended up being a delightful experience.

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Chick-fil-A packs a punch — but in a smaller container.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (11)

Chick-fil-A is a popular place to be. Many locations have even added a second line to their drive-thrus.

But I've found that the chain operates efficiently (albeit slower) than other fast-food spots.

Nevertheless, if you breeze past the many chicken options, Chick-fil-A has three salads: Cobb, spicy Southwest, and market.

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I liked that the salad was a bit customizable.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (12)

Chick-fil-A's Cobb salad is made with mixed greens, roasted corn kernels, bacon, hard-boiled egg, tomatoes, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, and chicken nuggets. It's served with an avocado-lime ranch dressing

Unlike the other chains, this salad allowed for a little more customization. I could've substituted the nuggets for chicken strips or fillets that were grilled, fried, cold, or warm.

Instead of fried onions, the salad also came with a topping of crispy bell peppers.

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Chick-fil-A really impressed me.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (13)

The real hero of this meal was the creamy dressing. It pulled the flavors together and was unique compared to the other offerings I tried.

Even though the packaging was on the smaller side, the salad was densely packed. It was also incredibly delicious and kept me full for hours.

I'd pay $10.40 for this Cobb again.

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Culver’s seasonal summer salad was a close comparison.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (14)

Culver's has a fantastic ButterBurger, but the Midwest-based chain actually makes a pretty great salad as well. Oddly enough, they're sectioned off with the seafood options on the menu.

Although there wasn't a Cobb on the menu, the seasonal strawberry-fields salad caught my eye — I'm a sucker for a limited-time offer. With mixed greens, chicken, blue cheese, and vinaigrette, I thought it was close enough to a traditional Cobb to compare to the others.

There were also chicken-cashew, cranberry-bacon-blue, and garden-fresco salads.

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The seasonal salad came with two vinaigrettes.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (15)

The strawberry-fields salad came with raspberry vinaigrette, blue cheese, strawberries, tomatoes, grilled chicken, and pecans on a bed of mixed greens.

But when I picked up my order, I was handed one fat-free Ken's vinaigrette and one Culver's brand option. It was a bit odd, but I like having options, so I didn't mind.

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Culver’s satisfied my sweet tooth.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (16)

Culver's packs its strawberry-fields salad with enough fruit to make it feel like a dessert. That alone probably makes it a little harder to compare to the Cobbs, but at the end of the day, a fast-food salad is a fast-food salad.

This one is for people who don't want to feel like they're eating salad. There were enough toppings to saturate each bite, and at $9.77, it was a cheaper option.

My only complaint was that the grilled chicken was a bit bland and didn't really add anything for me.

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Price became my deciding factor for this salad review.

I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (17)

Although none of the salads were bad, when it came down to crowning a winning chain, Zaxby's and Chick-fil-A were neck and neck for me.

They both offered quality ingredients, decent portion sizes, and top-notch taste.

If you're looking for faster service, Zaxby's might be the one for you. But Chick-fil-A's Cobb salad is a more budget-friendly option.

Considering Chick-fil-A's salad was cheaper and so dense that I actually had leftovers, I think it has to be my winner.

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I ordered salads from Wendy's, Culver's, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby's. My old go-to chain didn't make it close to the top of the list. (2025)

FAQs

Do Chick-Fil-A salads last in the fridge? ›

Plus, some salads would stay in the refrigerator for a few days. At Chick-fil-A they only prep a few salads at a time ensuring their salads stay really fresh and never a day old.

Did Chickfila get rid of salads? ›

Based on feedback, we have decided not to proceed with removing our Side Salad from the menu,” Chick-fil-A, Inc. tells TODAY.com in an emailed statement. “We will continue serving the item at participating restaurant locations and hope customers continue to enjoy this menu offering.”

When did Chick-Fil-A stop serving chicken salad? ›

While best known for its wildly popular waffle fries and hearty chicken sandwiches, Chick-fil-A also offers many other beloved menu items. Take its chicken salad sandwich, for instance, which remained a favorite of many customers until it was discontinued in 2017.

Where do Chick-Fil-A salads come from? ›

We source a variety of produce – from tomatoes, lettuce, and kale to blueberries, chopped apples and more. These fruits and vegetables are freshly delivered to our restaurants up to six days a week for the best quality and flavor and are used to craft many of our menu items in our restaurant kitchens.

How long is Wendy's good for in the fridge? ›

If it is refrigerated promptly (within two hours at room temperature; or one hour if surrounding temperature is above 90 °F), it can be safely kept for about three or four days stored in the refrigerator (40 F or less). If frozen, it should keep its quality for about four months.

How fresh is Chick-fil-A salad? ›

Our salads are made with vegetables and fruit that are delivered fresh to the restaurant up to six times a week.

What salad did Wendy's get rid of? ›

As for items leaving Wendy's menu, the document stated that the Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad, Sunburst Melon Natural Lemonade, and Grilled Chicken Sandwiches would no longer be available once the new items are introduced.

What is the healthiest Chick-fil-A salad? ›

Market Salad

A bed of fresh lettuce, cabbage, carrots, apples, strawberries and blueberries is topped with grilled chicken, crumbled blue cheese, roasted nuts and granola for an explosion of flavor and freshness. If you're a salad lover, this is by far one of the tastiest and healthiest Chick-fil-A menu items to try.

What side dish is Chick-fil-A discontinuing? ›

tells TODAY.com. “In order for our Restaurant Team Members to continue to deliver quality food and signature hospitality, at times we have to make difficult decisions to help simplify our menu. Starting April 3, the Chick-fil-A Side Salad will no longer be offered in our U.S. restaurants.”

What is Chick-fil-A removing from their menu? ›

Those who love a fresh bed of mixed greens topped with a blend of shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses and grape tomatoes from Chick-fil-A have just days to enjoy the menu item before it is gone for good. The fast food giant will no longer offer side salad from its list of menu options starting April 3.

Can I eat day old Chick-fil-A? ›

For best quality and to keep food safe: Transport and store chicken at 40°F or lower. Always use utensils or gloves when handling or serving cooked products. Reheat Chick-fiI-A Nuggets or Chick-fiI-A Chick-n-Strips within 24 hours of purchase.

What is the oldest Chick-fil-A restaurant? ›

Truett Cathy founded and opened the first Chick-fil-A® restaurant in 1967 in Atlanta's Greenbriar Mall, one of the first indoor malls in the southeast. At the time, the original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich was sold for 59 cents and Team Members wore ascots, candy-striped aprons and “soda jerk” hats and ties.

Is Chick-fil-A not selling salads anymore? ›

Chick-fil-A Will No Longer Discontinue The Side Salad After Fierce Internet Backlash. Social media saved the day!

Is Chick-fil-A chicken real or processed? ›

Chick-fil-A sources real, whole, boneless breast of chicken with no added fillers, steroids or hormones, so its natural flavor shines. We're committed to serving chicken with No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine (NAIHM).

How long does chicken salad chick chicken salad last in the refrigerator? ›

To maximize the shelf life of chicken salad for safety and quality, refrigerate the chicken salad in airtight containers. Properly stored, chicken salad will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

How long does prepared chicken salad last in the fridge? ›

Chicken salad typically keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-5 days when stored in an airtight container. Be sure to check for any signs of spoilage, such as an off smell or change in texture, before consuming. For more food safety tips, you can explore my Quora Profile.

Will a salad last 7 days in fridge? ›

Stored correctly, an average salad will last up to five days in the fridge. Any longer than this, and you'll start to see soggy, wilting leaves. Stored incorrectly, and you could be looking at no more than a couple of hours!

How long does cobb salad last in the fridge? ›

A Cobb Salad, when stored properly in the fridge, can last 3 to 5 days.

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