Every Jollibee Side Dish, Ranked & Reviewed by a Food Editor

• What It Is: crispy fried, salted potatoes
• Price (small): $3

Texturally and visually, these reminded me of McDonald’s fries. But in terms of taste, they were less flavorful and less salty. There’s certainly nothing wrong with Jollibee’s crisp-tender spuds, but eaten solo, they were a bit underwhelming. The fries would be better paired with saucy or salty mains that have a more robust flavor.

• What It Is: elbow pasta in creamy cheese sauce and topped with cheddar cheese
• Price: $4

This mac was very, very cheesy. It’s sort of like the one from Popeye’s, but it had more melted cheese than sauce. The browned bits added some nice dimension, and that savory burnt cheese flavor we all love…however, the dish got a bit clunky and heavy as it cooled. Its flavor was super cheddar-y and just salty enough without being overwhelming, even when paired with the chain’s famous fried chicken.

• What It Is: creamy mashed potatoes topped with brown gravy
• Price: $3

This Jollibee side was smooth, simple, creamy and well salted without being overly seasoned. It came with a good amount of gravy, which had a cozy, chicken soup-like flavor as well as a beef-like savoriness. Dunk your fries, biscuit, chicken tender, whatever—this classic accompaniment won’t disappoint.

• What It Is: steamed white rice
• Price: $3

You might think there’s nothing to write home about here, but this white rice was perfectly cooked. Its texture was ever-so-slightly sticky but largely tender and al dente throughout. Best of all, these grains will pair seamlessly with any spicy or saucy main you order, but it won’t weigh you down the same as fries or a biscuit.

• What It Is: sweet spaghetti in tomato sauce with ground beef, sliced hot dogs and cheese
• Price: $4

I was shocked by how tasty this cult-favorite menu item was. The sauce was very sweet and tasted slightly warm-spiced to me. The hot dogs were a bit softer than I’d hoped (not snappy), but the sauce! It was sort of like sloppy joe meets BBQ—tangy, slightly acidic and ketchupy. The cheese was mostly for looks but I didn’t mind the added richness. Most importantly, the spaghetti wasn’t mushy under all that saucy goodness.

• What It Is: cabbage and carrots in creamy dressing
• Price: $3

Whether I’m eating brisket, ribs or fried chicken, I’ll always opt for a side of dressed, cold veggies for contrast. This slaw was deeply tangy, supremely crunchy and very refreshing. The produce was well coated, but it still struck the perfect ratio of dressing to greens. I also felt it looked more colorful compared to some other big brand slaws that lean dull and pale green in appearance.

• What It Is: rice cooked with adobo sauce and shredded chicken
• Price: $4

This Jollibee side is beloved for good reason. Its flavor is incredibly savory, thanks to shredded bits of chicken scattered throughout. The meat was slightly acidic and very tender. As for the rice, it was a bit sticky compared to the white rice, but the taste was truly stellar and offers a rustic, homestyle feel to your fast food meal.

• What It Is: fluffy baked biscuit
• Price: varies

You can’t go wrong with this bready essential, and as much as I adore Popeye’s biscuits, this one may take the cake. It was salty, buttery, simple and…well, flawless. It had a tender, soft, pillowy crumb (softer than Popeye’s) and a salty top, as well as a semi-crunchy, sturdy rim, meaning it can hold up against any warm main or side you pair it with. This no-frills option gets the crown in my book.