Chick-fil-A Is Removing This Fan-Favorite Item From the Menu

Courtney Kassel
·2 min read
4

Don't worry, it's not the waffle fries.

<p>Adobe Stock/Allrecipes</p>

Adobe Stock/Allrecipes

Fast food menu items come and go, but some we are particularly sad to see leave. That is certainly the case with the announcement that Chick-fil-A will no longer sell its side salad as of April 3. A side salad from a fast food joint? I know what you're thinking. But fans are up in arms over the decision.

The announcement first spread via a flyer disseminated by several Chick-fil-A locations in person and on social media. It was later confirmed in statement put out to several media outlets, "In order for our Restaurant Team Members to continue to deliver quality food and signature hospitality, at times we have to make difficult decisions to help simplify our menu." The spokesperson added, "Starting April 3, the Chick-fil-A Side Salad will no longer be offered in our U.S. restaurants."

The Chick-fil-A menu "simplification" is just the latest in a string of fast food chains cutting beloved items from their menu. This is likely due to cost concerns, considering recent inflation and the fact that the announcement came on the back of the unfortunate changes to the restaurant's rewards program.

So far, the side salad is the only item on the 'kill' list for Chick-fil-A. And although you wouldn't expect it to be a popular item for a chicken chain, the outcry on social media would suggest otherwise. A Reddit post entitled "RIP Side Salad" garnered loads of comments, including one that reads, "Of the past items that have been discontinued, this one hits me the most."

The salad is admittedly quite simple—just mixed greens, shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and grape tomatoes—but was a welcome non-fried alternative to Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries. Plus, it came with a choice of seven options for dressings, which are a fan favorite of the chain.

Chick-fil-A will continue to offer other sides including its signature coleslaw, a fruit cup, and soup. It will also continue to offer other main salad options, as well.

I suspect much of the love for the salad was actually for the salad dressings. The good news is, as of this spring, bottled Chick-fil-A salad dressings will be coming to grocery stores nationwide. So, you can still have your salad and eat it, too.