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The Best Food on the PDQ Menu

Image: Courtesy of PDQ

Get your taste buds ready, foodies! Today we are delving into the delicious world of PDQ and all the mouthwatering menu items they offer.

As one of the best fried-chicken chains, PDQ has gained popularity for its fresh, made-to-order meals that satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

If you are wondering what PDQ means, it stands for “People Dedicated to Quality.” This beloved chain has lived up to its name since the first location opened in Tampa, Florida, in 2011.

Their chicken is always fresh, never frozen, and hand-breaded for maximum flavor.

PDQ’s menu has something for everyone, from their signature chicken tenders to crispy sandwiches to savory sides and salads.

To help you decide what to order on your next visit, I’ve rounded up the 20 best PDQ menu items you should try!

20. Chocolate Chunk Cookie

We’re not talking about those measly chocolate chips you find in some other fast-food cookies.

The Chocolate Chunk Cookie is baked fresh daily and is filled with chocolate chunks that melt in your mouth with every bite.

These warm, gooey have a sweet yet slightly salty flavor, making them the perfect way to end your meal at PDQ.

19. Spicy PDQ Salad

I’m not usually a fast-food salad fan, but I make an exception with PDQ’s salads, especially their Spicy PDQ Salad.

This bad boy is packed with flavor, spice, and everything nice.

It’s a mixture of spicy crispy chicken, mixed greens, red cabbage, carrots, cheddar & jack cheeses, tomatoes, and cucumbers topped with their honey mustard dressing.

The balance between the spicy chicken chunks and the smooth, creamy dressing is delightful.

Just when you get bored with one ingredient, the next one is there to surprise you.

If you’re looking for a playful twist on your classic salad, the Spicy PDQ Salad will satisfy your cravings.

18. Spicy Chicken Deluxe Sandwich

The Spicy Chicken Deluxe Sandwich has a tender and well-seasoned chicken breast with a little spiciness that won’t be too overwhelming.

The crispy chicken filet is complemented by bibb lettuce, tomato, and dill pickles that add a refreshing crunch and tanginess.

The combination of flavors makes the sandwich delightful.

As someone who likes spicy food, I enjoy the mild heat in this sandwich.

17. Oreo Cookie Shake

PDQ’s milkshakes are crafted with only the freshest ingredients.

The Oreo Cookie Shake is made by blending vanilla ice cream and crushed Oreo cookies, giving your taste buds a rich and creamy experience.

The shake is finished with whipped cream, crushed Oreo cookies, and cherry on top, making it delectable.

The smooth and velvety texture of the shake is an exquisite delight to the palate.

16. Crispy Chicken Deluxe Sandwich

If you’re looking for a sandwich that will make you do a happy dance, try PDQ’s Crispy Chicken Deluxe Sandwich.

This masterpiece is made with a crispy chicken patty cooked to perfection and topped with fresh lettuce, juicy tomato, crunchy dill pickles, and PDQ’s signature sauce.

And the best part? It’s made to order, filling every bite with the freshest ingredients.

One bite of this sandwich and your taste buds will be transported to flavor heaven.

The crispy chicken, tangy sauce, and fresh veggies create a flavor explosion in your mouth that will leave you savoring every bite.

Trust me; this is one of the best fast-food chicken sandwiches out there.

15. Mac and Cheese

One of PDQ’s side items, the Mac and Cheese, is the wonderful marriage of creamy macaroni and gooey cheese.

Each bite is made with creamy cheddar cheese that’s melted to perfection.

The real magic happens when you dunk your chicken tenders or chicken nuggets into the Mac and Cheese and get that extreme comfort food experience.

It’s the perfect indulgent side dish at PDQ that will hit the spot.

14. Reese’s Cup Shake

Imagine a rich and creamy milkshake spun with chunks of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, topped with whipped cream, a further sprinkling of Reese’s pieces, and a cherry on top.

The result is a smooth chocolate and peanut-infused shake with bits of Reese’s chocolate cups in the mix.

It sounds like a dream come true.

If you’re not into the chocolate bits and want a velvety shake, go for the peanut butter shake instead.

13. Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Picture this: A juicy chicken breast is nicely marinated and grilled until it glistens with a golden hue.

It is then topped with lettuce, tomato, and pickles and slathered with the PDQ sauce.

And here’s the kicker. The chicken breast retains its savory taste without being too greasy.

The nutty flavor of herbs and spices gives it a unique depth that will have your taste buds dancing.

So whether you’re a grilled chicken fan or just looking for something healthier on the menu, give this sandwich a try.

12. Parmesan Broccoli

I know broccoli may be the last thing you want to order from a fast-food chicken chain, but you’d be surprised by how amazing PDQ’s Parmesan Broccoli is!

These crunchy, flavorful broccoli florets are cooked to the right tenderness and seasoned with butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese.

The ingredients are simple, yet the flavors are nothing short of delicious.

The result? A guilt-free side dish that’s loaded with flavor and nutrition.

11. Cranapple Oatmeal Cookie

Oatmeal cookies can be dry and dull, but PDQ’s Cranapple Oatmeal Cookie is anything but.

This cookie is made with oats blended with apples and cranberries for a unique flavor.

The combo of sweet and tart elements creates the perfect balance in this chewy treat.

It’s a cookie that you won’t be able to resist! So, don’t miss out.

10. Strawberry Shake

The Strawberry Shake is made with rich, thick vanilla ice cream and real strawberries.

With its creamy texture and luscious strawberry flavor, you’ll feel transported to a sunny summer day.

If you find the shake too “vanilla,” you can always request other ingredients, such as banana, extra strawberries, fudge, and an assortment of chocolatey goodness.

And at some locations, they also have gummy bears as add-ons.

9. PDQ Salad

Oh, my tastebuds are dancing just thinking about the PDQ Salad!

This salad is the perfect blend of crispy and fresh, with options between deep-fried or grilled chicken, mixed greens, red cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

And let’s not forget about the cheddar and jack cheeses because who doesn’t love a good cheese blend?

But what takes this salad to the next level is the honey mustard dressing.

It’s not too overpowering but adds just the right amount of zing.

If honey mustard dressing is not your thing, you can always request their other homemade dressings, including blueberry vinaigrette, bleu cheese, lemon chili vinaigrette, or ranch.

8. Honey Butter Sandwich

If the thought of fried chicken and waffles makes you weak in the knees, PDQ’s Honey Butter Sandwich will be right up your alley.

The honey butter sauce is the secret ingredient that sets this sandwich apart – made with real honey and butter for an extra sweet and savory punch.

Combined with a crispy fried chicken patty and butter pickles in a classic bun, every bite is heaven on earth.

For those brave souls who want to kick it up a notch, the spicy chicken breast and sweet sriracha sauce elevate this sandwich to game-changing levels.

7. Waffle Fries

PDQ’s Waffle Fries are made with potatoes sliced into a waffle shape, lightly seasoned with their sea salt blend, and deep-fried to golden crispy goodness.

The waffle shape gives them the perfect surface area to get crispy on the outside while remaining soft and fluffy on the inside.

Dip them in one (or more) of your favorite PDQ sauces, and you’ll wish you had a bottomless bucket of these fries.

6. M&M’s Shake

There’s always something special about the crunchy candy coating that envelops the velvety chocolate.

And when you blend that with creamy vanilla ice cream, the result is nothing short of amazing.

That’s what you can expect from PDQ’s M&M’s Shake.

It features crushed M&M’s blended into a thick shake and topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

When I need something to cheer me up, this PDQ milkshake always fits the bill.

5. Buffy Bleu Sandwich

If you love juicy chicken tenders more than chicken breast in your sandwich, the Buffy Bleu is your answer.

Packed with two crispy chicken tenders smothered with buffalo bleu sauce and nestled on lettuce, the Buffy Bleu Sandwich may look basic, but it will quickly change your mind.

The scrumptious blend of spicy buffalo and tangy blue cheese in the sauce transforms the chicken tenders into one of the best fried chicken I’ve ever had.

And if you’re feeling a little less adventurous, the Grilled Chicken Sandwich is always a solid choice.

But why settle when you can double the flavor with the Buffy Bleu?

4. Mediterranean Salad

PDQ’s Mediterranean Salad is a glorious combination of grilled or crispy chicken, mixed greens, red cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

It also has kalamata olives, pepperoncini, crumbly feta cheese, and a creamy dollop of hummus.

And let’s not forget the piΓ¨ce de resistance, the lemon-chili vinaigrette!

All flavors in this salad come together beautifully.

The tanginess of the olives and pepperoncini balances the creaminess of the hummus and feta, while the lemon-chili vinaigrette ties everything together with a subtle kick.

If you can’t take the spicy vinaigrette, try the blueberry vinaigrette for a refreshingly sweet and tangy combination.

Either way, you will surely enjoy this flavorful salad on PDQ’s menu.

3. Chicken Nuggets

PDQ’s Chicken Nuggets come in three varieties – crispy, grilled, and spicy.

We already know PDQ uses only the best quality chicken breast meat, so unsurprisingly, these little guys are juicy and flavorful.

Whether you choose crispy or grilled, each bite of chicken nuggets bursts with savory goodness.

And, of course, the spicy option brings a little heat to the plate.

2. Jacked Spicy Sandwich

This is the real deal – a juicy, crispy chicken breast sandwich made with PDQ sauce, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and dill pickles.

Every bite is a flavor explosion in your mouth, and I can’t tell you how much I love the spicy breading that enhances the texture of the chicken breast.

And did I mention the pepper jack cheese?

The creamy, spicy cheese complements the chicken to give you that lovely peppery aftertaste.

It’s the ultimate comfort food and the best sandwich on PDQ’s menu.

1. Chicken Tenders

The Chicken Tenders are the flagship item on the PDQ menu, and for good reason!

They’re made with the juiciest chicken tenderloins, then breaded and seasoned to perfection.

And the best part? You get your choice of crispy, grilled, or spicy – each one better than the last.

Now, why am I raving about chicken tenders, of all things?

I can tell you these are not your average chicken tenders.

The breading is crispy and flavorful, and the chicken inside is juicy and tender making you wonder how they achieve this perfection.

And if you go for the spicy option, be prepared for a delightful kick!

Conclusion

There you have it – the best food to order at PDQ!

The Chicken Tenders and Jacked Spicy Sandwich are my favorites but don’t sleep on their salads and milkshakes.

From crispy tenders and nuggets to chicken sandwiches – no matter what you order on the PDQ menu, you really can’t go wrong.

The quality of ingredients is always top-notch, and each dish is made from scratch to ensure freshness.

So next time you’re looking for a delicious meal, try some of the items on this list!

For more information about PDQ, check out the articles below.

About the Author

Lianne Fachetti is a content writer who adores food from all cultures. When she’s not working, she’s busy creating new recipes, trying out new restaurants, playing with her German Shepherd Max, and tending to her vegetable garden.

 

May 10, 2023