Jill Schildhouse for Taste of Home
7. McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce
Instead of arriving in a tidy dipping cup or packet, like every other restaurant reviewed, McDonald’s plopped a sad scoop of Big Mac Sauce into an empty chicken nugget box. Visually, this presentation brought down the ranking. The chunks in the sauce didn’t do much for me either. While nostalgic and familiar, the sauce was one-note and underwhelming—like someone stirred mayonnaise, Thousand Island and pickles together and called it a day. It lacked the complexity you’d expect from something so iconic.
Bottom Line: More famous than it is flavorful, this one didn’t live up to the hype, especially stacked against bolder competitors. I’ll stick with these other stand-out McDonald’s sauces.
Jill Schildhouse for Taste of Home
6. Arby’s Sauce and Horsey Sauce
Arby’s may “have the meats,” but its sauces aren’t pulling their weight. The Arby’s Sauce was aggressively vinegary. It had a hint of sweetness, but not enough to balance the acidity, leaving the flavor flat and borderline harsh (my mouth kept salivating in a bad way). Meanwhile, the Horsey Sauce was…fine. It’s a basic horseradish mayo—creamy with a mild kick—but not particularly memorable. You can find something nearly identical at most deli counters.
Bottom Line: Two sauces, zero standouts. Sure, they add some flavor, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to dip my fries in either of these.
Jill Schildhouse for Taste of Home
5. In-N-Out Spread
In-N-Out is legendary for many things, but the “Spread” doesn’t quite live up to the hype as a fry dip. Sure, the packet was generously sized—easily the biggest of the bunch—but once you get past the portion, there’s not much to get excited about. It’s a standard chunky Thousand Island-style sauce with a tomato-y base and a hint of sweetness.
Bottom Line: I’d say the spread is best suited for burgers, not fries.
Jill Schildhouse for Taste of Home
4. Shake Shack ShackSauce
Shake Shack nails a lot of things—crinkle fries, smashburgers, milkshakes—but ShackSauce didn’t quite deliver. The texture was noticeably gluey and gloppy, almost like it had been sitting in the fridge too long. Flavor-wise, it leans heavy on the dill, which may work for some, but felt a bit imbalanced to me.
Bottom Line: If you love dill, this might be your new go-to secret sauce. Otherwise, ketchup might be a better option.
Jill Schildhouse for Taste of Home
3. Jack in the Box Good Good Sauce
With a name like Good Good Sauce, you’d hope it delivers, and it does! This one packed the most heat of the lineup, with a peppery kick that actually livened up the fries. It’s creamy and easy to dip, tangy and a little smoky, making it versatile enough to slather on just about anything. Nuggets, burgers, sandwiches, you name it. It’s bold without being overwhelming, and it actually tastes like someone developed it on purpose.
Bottom Line: Spicy, flavorful and surprisingly craveable—this sauce earns its double name.
Jill Schildhouse for Taste of Home
2. Raising Cane’s Cane’s Sauce
If you’ve ever wondered what keeps people lining up for chicken fingers, Cane’s Sauce is a big part of the answer. It’s thick and luscious, creamy, savory and packed with spices. The peppery, garlicky notes are totally addictive. The texture is spot-on. It clings perfectly to fries and lingers just long enough on your palate to make you reach for more.
Bottom Line: Cane’s Sauce is easy to love. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t need to be. This is comfort sauce, executed at a near-perfect level.
Jill Schildhouse for Taste of Home
1. Chick-fil-A Sauce
Chick-fil-A Sauce isn’t just good—it’s obsession-level good. This golden blend of honey mustard, barbecue sauce and something almost smoky hits all the right notes. You’ll sense a bit of sweetness and tanginess. The flavor is layered and complex, which makes it shockingly hard to stop dipping. Fries? Better with it. Nuggets? Built for it. Your fingers when you’re out of fries? Don’t judge.
Bottom Line: This is the GOAT of fast-food sauces. Once you start, you will not stop—and honestly, why would you?