Best Onion Rings

RE: Best Onion Rings (ces1948)

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:30:39 GMT

Honestly haven't had a good one in a while. Last time I had good ones that appeared to be homemade was at Kay Bros BBQ in Gainesville, FL. Noticed that Sonny's BBQ has apparently quit serving them. After reading this thread and getting a real "hankering" for some I was disappointed to see Sonny's stopped serving them when I had lunch there the other day. Also noticed my favorite wing place doesn't appear to serve them either.

RE: Best Onion Rings (Large Man)

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:31:12 GMT

The Varsity in and the Beacon in Spartanburg are close if not the best. The long gone Red Barn Bar Be Que on the west side of Jacksonville Fl used to rank high, they cut a large onion above and below its equator broke the slices apart and dipped it into buttermilk and flour and fried em and served em steaming hot. Long gone now.

Re:Best Onion Rings (JRPfeff)

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:38:51 GMT

Paul,

We used to make a big batch of onion rings each spring when Vidalia's were released. Now it seems that Vidalia's (usually a South American clone) are available all year long, so it is not such a big deal.

We never used a batter mix. I've got a beer batter recipe that is good, but more recently have been doing a double dip with buttermilk as part of the recipe.

Jim

Re:Best Onion Rings (Sundancer7)

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:14:03 GMT

Does anybody ever make their own? I have tried it a few times lately using McCormick all purpose batter where you mix it in to two parts. One wet and one dry. I mix some spices in the batter such as chili powder. garlic powder and even onion powder

I fry them at 375F, slice the onions sideways very thick dip them in the dry and then the wet and coat them and let it rip. I use a dipping sauce of thousand island which I make and cholula.

I use the same mix for small slices of chicken breast, chicken thighs and other things.

Pretty good.

Paul E. smjith
Knoxville, TN

Re:Best Onion Rings (falco)

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:49:45 GMT

May I suggest the onion rings at the Grant Bar in Millvale, Pa?
Really, just outside Pittsburgh City Limits-they are outstanding,
and I believe they use the same coating with their signature Butterfly shrimp.
Falco

Re:Best Onion Rings (Michael Hoffman)

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:41:20 GMT

I used to love the onion loaf at the first Damon's. But when Damon's became a chain something bad happened to those loaves.

Re:Best Onion Rings (mayor al)

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:07:22 GMT

Metro Jim,
Some years back I had my first ever Onion 'Loaf' at a Tony Roma's in SoCal. It took a while for me to gain a yearning for those little pieces of onion.
We found the larger rings to be more to our liking. Farmer Boy's, the SoCal mini-chain, offers an order of 6 or 7 rings...but they are Massive Inch-and-a-half thick slices of very large sweet onions. Battered and fried. I have seen some folks actually use a knife and fork to eat them. O R's are one side dish that I approve the use of Ketchup as a dip.

Re:Best Onion Rings (Phildelmar)

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:08:00 GMT

Chamberlains Roast Beef in Booth's Corner's Farm Market in Boothwyn, PA.

Re:Best Onion Rings (MetroplexJim)

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:56:56 GMT

Onion Rings that stand out as being memorable since I first "discovered" this tasty side back in the 1960's:

Huot's Seafood Restaurant, Saco, ME
The Villanova Inn, New Castle, PA
The Plainview Diner, Plainview, NY (L.I.)
Hard Times Cafe, Alexandria, VA
(the original) Sonny Bryan's, Dallas, TX
Sonny P's Burgers, McKinney, TX

If I had to pick the all-time best it would be the stacked beer-battered rings at Huot's. Of course, everything tastes better with lobstah!

(I used to love Tony Roma's onion loaf but my last two meals at their Scottsdale, AZ and Georgetown, Grand Cayman locations were so dreadful I stopped patronizing that chain. Too bad; I enjoyed many good meals there in Orlando and San Juan, PR).

Re:Best Onion Rings (californyguy)

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:35:35 GMT

around Sactown it would have to be a place called Avaitors tucked in Executive Airport (which was THe airport in Sac until the mid sixties)...The rings are sweet, fresh , somewhat tempura like and are really something to behold..have them with the great patty melt and you will be a happy pilot.This place also has great breakfasts and check out the truly Roadfood worthy decor on this link http://www.erench.com/RESTAUR/CALIF/SCRM/BRKCLUB/AVIA/index.htm

Re:Best Onion Rings (fattybomatty)

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:00:54 GMT

As of right now, my favorite onion rings are at a bar in Jersey City called O'haras. The flavor reminds me of hushpuppies I used to get as a kid. Runner up is Shortys in NYC and their Yuengling battered onion rings.

Re:Best Onion Rings (Filetofish)

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 05:35:04 GMT

I've eaten very good OR's all over the US. I do not care for the rings that are formed, that is without an actual onion ring in them.

I recently had great rings at the Village Restaurant, and Woodmans in Essex, MA.

Re:Best Onion Rings (Heartbreaksoup)

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 11:12:37 GMT

The Varsity indeed has some excellent rings, but I think the best you can currently find are the rings at Pizza Palace in Knoxville. Then again, I have not yet been to the Beacon.

Does anyone else remember the Atlanta-based Mighty Casey's chain of hot dog/hamburger restaurants? My parents confirm my memory that their rings were even better than the Varsity's.

Re:Best Onion Rings (chicagostyledog)

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 21:53:56 GMT

As previously mentioned by Phatphil, Hackney's original French fried onions has been named one of the top three rated in the USA by Restaurant Management Magazine.

We refer them as an "Onion Loaf." They're available in a full or a half loaf and can be eaten as a meal without ordering a burger.

CSD PhD Professor of Hot Dogs

RE: Best Onion Rings (southpaw)

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 11:23:48 GMT

I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this...

We like to take the actual ROADFOOD book in with us the first time we visit a Roadfood joint. I like to get an autograph, store stamp or something from a visit . At Litton's in Knoxville we were seated and I asked to see the manager, he arrived at our table a few minutes later and not only signed our book but told us the history of Litton's. To top that off , a basket of onion rings arrived a few minutes later compliments of the manager, Neil.
They were delicious!

also...
The Beacon has some good rings.
Melvins on Folly Rd on the way to Folly Beach just outside of Charleston SC is worth a stop for their onion rings.

RE: Best Onion Rings (MilwFoodlovers)

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 10:20:16 GMT

I realize this is a revisited older thread but I'm amazed at the many suggestions for frozen onion rings. I know all tasted are subjective, but I've never tasted a bagged ring that compares with a scratch one. And good onion rings are much easier to make than good french fries. Shredded much more so than fat sliced. If you like shredded onions, sprinkle a little cayenne in a paper bag of flour, toss in your thinly sliced onions, shake off the excess and fry in some hot oil until the color changes, pull them out and salt lightly. No milk, buttermilk, batter, beer, salt, or egg needed. Fat sliced rings needs a recipe and some good techniques and like good chile rellenos, I let someone else do all the work.

RE: Best Onion Rings (brookquarry)

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 08:06:43 GMT

The best consistently good onion rings I've had are the onion straws served at Wert's Cafe in Allentown. When we go we generally order them as an appetizer for the table. They disapear real; quickly. The Roadfood review of Wert's has an excellant picture.

RE: Best Onion Rings (Michael Hoffman)

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 00:10:05 GMT

The very best onion rings I have ever had were at Hoggy's, a barbeque place in the Columbus area -- before it became a local chain. I've not had any since they expanded from the original spot in a dive in Linworth, a part of Worthington, Ohio. As a matter of fact, I;ve been to their first expansion place, because it was in the town where I live. I've not been back.

RE: Best Onion Rings (OxDawg)

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 23:18:21 GMT

Stalvey's in Covington Ga. has some good ones. The Varsity in Atlanta, Wallace BBQ in Austell Ga and Sprayberry's BBQ in Newnan Ga. all have good onion rings.

RE: Best Onion Rings (rainyday6)

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:40:04 GMT

I love Marie Callendar's onion rings.

RE: Best Onion Rings (Beverly K)

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:16:26 GMT

I love the onion rings at our Fuddrucker's, and I don't even like onions!

RE: Best Onion Rings (badbyron722)

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 09:16:32 GMT

Im hooked on the onion rings from The Beacon right here in Spartanburg.Greasy and fried.Something about the taste of these rings makes me a happy camper.

RE: Best Onion Rings (MilwFoodlovers)

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:46:06 GMT

The Oh Dennis Saloon and Charcoal House on Douglas Rd. in Racine are probably my local favorite, with The Hideaway in Franklin in a distant second place. Easily my favorite ribs north of the Mason-Dixon Line too. The ones I've enjoyed the most would be The Blue and White's in Tunica Mississippi. I've gone through the stages; onion rings, shredded onion rings, onion loaf, breaded, and now battered. No bloomin' onions, which I find greasy, or minced and formed for me (yech).

RE: Best Onion Rings (SassyGritsAL)

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:49:21 GMT

I like the ones at Cheeburger, Cheeburger because they are thin and crispy. I also like Popeye's (had an order just last week and they were very tasty).

RE: Best Onion Rings (therbs)

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:56:55 GMT

[font="tahoma; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(139, 0, 0)"]burger king makes the best onion rings
i love the fresh out of the freezer-burn taste they have to them.
actually i would rather eat deep fried toenails.
ok thats not true either

RE: Best Onion Rings (mjsneddon)

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:44:05 GMT

My recommendation for onion rings is at Clementine's in South Haven, Michigan or Clementine's Too in St. Joseph, Michigan.

You can order six inches or a foot.

While you are there, order the Red Rooster - Strawberry glazed charbroiled chicken breast matched with walnut and feta cheese.

Mike Sneddon
Mattoon, IL

RE: Best Onion Rings (mjsneddon)

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:41:10 GMT

My recommendation for onion rings is at Clementine's in South Haven, Michigan or Clementine's Too in St. Joseph, Michigan.

You can order six inches or a foot.

Mike Sneddon
Mattoon, IL

Re:Best Onion Rings (allyk)

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:09:33 GMT

Popeye's are really great. I also like Sonic's: a lot like the old Shoney's Big Boy rings. My favorites? The Pickle Barrel in Milledgeville, GA, and Doc's in Orange Beach, AL.

RE: Best Onion Rings (Bill Reynolds)

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:41:58 GMT

Busch Gardens in Tampa used to make some serious rings. I was amazed at how big they were. An order was only two of three rings and for me it was plenty. Very, very good.

Re:Best Onion Rings (iGOTtheMunchies)

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:53:52 GMT

i like the rings at the hearth in clifton, nj