Popeyes has brought back its Cajun Onion Rings, a former menu side that has left some customers delighted and others less than impressed. The rings returned to U.S. restaurants on Nov. 2 and cost $3.99.
The crispy rings are coated with Cajun seasoning and served with buttermilk ranch. They’re available for a limited time.
Popeyes said the side adds a bold Louisiana-style flavor to its menu and is intended for sharing. The chain has also been promoting value offers, including six pieces of Signature Bone-In Chicken for $10, available for a limited time.
The onion rings were sold in the 1990s, then gradually disappeared from restaurants in the early 2010s. The last locations reportedly stopped serving them in 2020.
The comeback has stirred nostalgia among longtime fans. Some customers said they had waited years for the rings to return, while others recalled ordering them decades ago. A review praised the crisp coating and noted that the Cajun heat becomes more noticeable as you eat.
Not everyone was convinced. Some customers questioned whether the recipe was unchanged, and one person who said they had tried the rings described them as hard, burnt and too salty. Others felt the $3.99 price was too high.
Earlier this year, Popeyes made its $3.99 chicken wraps a permanent menu item. They come in Classic, Spicy and Blackened Ranch varieties. Reactions were mixed, with some customers welcoming the wraps and others criticizing their size. McDonald’s snack wraps, at $2.99, were also mentioned as a less expensive option.
Chefs have previously named Popeyes their top fast-food choice for fried chicken and biscuits, praising the chicken’s crisp coating and seasoning, along with the biscuits’ buttery flavor. Bojangles and KFC also received honorable mentions. Some social media users, however, said Popeyes biscuits can be dry when cold.
