Fast Food Corn Dogs Ranked Worst To Best

Burgers may get the lion's share of the fast-food spotlight, but it's the classic corn dog that sets hearts aflutter when found waiting on a drive-thru menu board.

Fast food corn dogs may not be the most glamorous item on the menu, but they certainly hold a special place in the hearts of many Americans. From the classic drive-up diners to the hot dog havens and mall kiosks, several fast food joints are still proudly serving this carnival-inspired treat. But with so many options out there, which ones truly reign supreme? To uncover the best fast food corn dogs in the land, I embarked on a virtual culinary journey, digging deep into the dining scene to discover the restaurants that still offer this fan favorite and what their guests really think of each eatery's corn dog creation.

After careful consideration and analysis of the available data, including customer reviews, online chatter, and menu offerings, I've compiled a ranking of the top 9 fast food corn dogs, from worst to best. Here's the rundown:

9. Sonic: Sonic may be known for its slushes, burgers, and tots, but it also offers a corn dog to complete its nostalgic menu. However, customers seem to be less than impressed, describing the corn dogs as overpriced, dry, mushy, and seemingly reheated. Yikes!

8. Ted's Hot Dogs: With locations in New York and Arizona, Ted's Hot Dogs could have easily tipped the scales in the corn dog competition. But alas, corn dogs here are relegated to the Other Fried Items section on the menu and are overshadowed by the regular hot dogs.

7. Wienerschnitzel: The hot-doggiest hot dog haus on the scene, Wienerschnitzel, offers both full-size corn dogs and two-bite mini corn dogs. While fans appreciate the affordability, they find the corn dogs to be nothing more than average. A Fast Food Critic review even likens the batter to cookie dough.

6. A&W: A&W includes corn dog nuggets in its lineup to go with its sudsy sips and crispy crunchers. The chain's nostalgia may help sell a fickle public on the corn dogs, but it needs something more than the golden glow of memory to truly elevate them.

5. James Coney Island: If you're looking for corn dogs in America, Coney Island is one of the most likely locations. Or if you can't get there, maybe your next best option could be James Coney Island, a seven-site chain that brings boardwalk bites to the heart of Texas. Alas, considering the limited reach of this Texas chain, James Coney Island corn dogs don't exactly have a chance of being enjoyed by the masses.

4. The Original Hot Dog Factory: A scattering of states is lucky enough to have access to The Original Hot Dog Factory, a modest chain that gathers all the best hot dog options in America into a single menu celebrating all things bunned. The corn dogs here are showing up among the more favored fare at this diner, and the image on the menu shows classic corn batter fried to a crisp on the in-stick version.

3. Culver's: The Midwest offers its own version of corn dog deliciousness at Culver's restaurants, home of the Butter Burger and fried cheese curds. But when you build your brand around a burger, there may be questions about what sort of corn dog you can deliver. Culver's corn dogs are tossed in with Chicken & Sandwiches on the menu, which makes them feel like something of an afterthought. But TikTok reviewer Lauren Hager gets downright giggly over the quality of the corn dog in her clip, toasting dogs with a fellow diner before enjoying the next bite. It's a joyful, ringing endorsement of this hidden fast food gem.

2. Hot Dog on a Stick: Goofy hats and loud, striped vests aside, Hot Dog on a Stick is a slick spot in malls across America for enjoying corn dogs with a side of homestyle lemonade. The old-fashioned food stand features corn dogs and fries as its core offering, making it easy to choose when it's your turn at the counter. One Yelp reviewer praises the batter as possibly one of the best around, while a Trip Advisor visitor calls out the freshness of their made-to-order corn dogs.

1. Two Hands: Korean corn dogs have entered the fast food arena to challenge traditional American corn dogs, thanks to outlets like Two Hands showing up on the market. What makes the Korean layout of a corn dog so different from the American version is the batter. It foregoes the usual cornmeal in favor of rice or wheat dough for a crispier shell and the anything-goes spirit that lets add-ons to the dog's exterior like fries and cheese-filled interiors become a part of the experience. The result is a hyper-realized corn dog that resembles the original format with bionic enhancements that take this simplistic dish into new dimensions of fast-food excitement.

But it can't only be the intention of Two Hands that nabs it the highest spot among the fast-food corn dogs on the market. It's also the