Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Along with fries, onion rings are the quintessential junk food side dish at most sit-down eateries and fast food outlets.

The humble onion, sliced, separated into rings, coated, and deep fried.

Due to the popularity of our recent rankings of 24 fast food french fries, we hit the road again for a taste test of onion rings. We found them at 11 fast food eateries across the region.

Check out our rankings below, including our winner. We concluded No. 1 Arby's is more than just a place for great roast beef.

Don't Edit

No. 11 Dairy Queen

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

These thick-cut onion rings were delivered to us burnt and nearly impossible to consume.

While nothing was said when we ordered, the server who delivered our food explained that the shop's freezer has been on the fritz and regardless of how closely they watched the frying process, batches of onion rings had burned for the past several weeks.

It was very disappointing.

They should at least explain to the customer when they order the potential for burnt rings, to allow them to decide if they wish to change their order.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

No. 10 Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

These thick-cut rings of battered onion were served up hot and crunchy, but tasted a tad on the fishy side, leading us to believe they use the same fryers for all their menu items.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

No. 9 Burger King

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

A great crunch on the outside led to a slim and soggy inside.

These onion rings are made with minced onion pieces, which were a bit slimy inside that crunchy shell.

They also had a bit of garlicky taste.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

No. 8 Long John Silver's

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

These were the first onion rings we encountered that were only battered on one side.

The thick slices of onion were salty and greasy with a non-typical funnel cake-type batter.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Davis and Cain rockin' the hats

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Cleveland's Best manager Kristen Davis, left, and reporter Brenda Cain just had to try on the pirate hats at Long John Silver's.

Don't Edit

No. 7 Swensons

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

In a word -- greasy. The waxed paper bag these rings came in was soaked through.

The crunch was good for a frozen onion ring, though they were a bit on the tasteless side.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

No. 6 Sonic

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Made with onion slices, these rings were very crunchy on the outside. They were served to us lukewarm, however.

There was an odd sweet taste we couldn't identify -- were they made from sweet onions or coated in a sweet batter?

Sadly, the shell taste overpowered the onion flavor.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

No. 5 Steak 'n Shake

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

These rings were delivered to the table steaming hot. The slices of onion were covered in a thick batter, which produced a nice crunch when you bit into them,

The team was split on these rings -- with one member having enjoyed them, the other feeling they were bland and tasteless.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

No. 4 Mr. Hero

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

"Onion petals" are served at Mr. Hero. Instead of rings, customers receive a basket of onion petals reminiscent of Outback Steakhouse's "Bloomin' Onion."

Lightly coated in batter and crispy, they were not overcooked and they retained a nice firmness when you bit into them.

They delivered a mild onion flavor, which was ramped up by the horseradish dipping sauce they're served with.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

No. 3 Hardee's

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

These were one of the thinner rings we encountered on our quest, but we were served a generous portion of crunchy rings and they delivered a hearty onion flavor.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

No. 2 Culver's

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Served hot and fresh from the fryer, the rings were thick-cut and fried to a nice crispy finish. The breading was not as heavy as others we tried, allowing the full flavor of the onion to come through.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

No. 1 Arby's

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Arby's touts that they "have the meats," but they also have the onion rings!

The rings are thick and the onions stay crispy. The crust is mild-flavored, allowing the onion to shine through. These could pass for many onion rings served at sit down restaurants.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

What? Wendy's has onion rings? Not really, BUT ...

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Having a craving for onion rings, but you're standing at the counter at Wendy's?

You can still satisfy that craving by asking for an order of Tanglers from the secret menu.

Considered a condiment on some burgers, many stores will sell you a side of the thin crispy straws for just 50 cents.

While they're not technically an onion ring and not on the traditional menu, the Tanglers are worth an honorable mention.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Love onion rings? Check out these rankings from our restaurant burger contest

The tastiest onion rings we ate during our search for Cleveland's Best Burger at independent sit-down/full service restaurants.

Don't Edit

Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Hungry for more? Check out more food rankings