Chick-Fil-A Is Getting Rid Of Its Side Salad Forever

ATTENTION: Since the publishing of this article Chick-fil-A has reversed this decision. Coverage of the reversed decision can be found here. 

Potentially an issue for health-conscious diners, Chick-fil-A has made the seemingly sudden decision to remove its side salad from its menu. Though unconfirmed, this could be explained by the salad's lack of popularity, as reported by Chick-fil-A in 2021. The healthy alternative didn't make the top 11 list in any of the chain's six regions; Unsurprisingly, the most ordered side dish — and dish in general — was the waffle fries.

When it comes to sheer calories, the side salad isn't exactly healthier than the fries, but it is a better choice for low-carb dieters. The brand's nutritional facts reveal the salad only contains 16 carbs, while the fries are loaded with 45 carbs. The macros are nearly perfect for keto dieters, as the side salad contains a moderate amount of protein (7 grams) and a reasonable amount of fat (42 grams). Although some salads reign supreme in the health category, dietitians Lisa Muras and Nadine Jakim Young revealed the traditional side salad is a more conscious choice than the superfood side salad. "With the trendy nomenclature, this side dish might seem like a better option than the original Side Salad, but it contains added sugar from the dried cherries, syrupy dressing, and roasted nut blend," they said, via the Washingtonian. With these facts on the table, social media remains quite upset upon hearing the news.

Revealed early on March 20, the side salad will be no more after April 3, 2023. A Tifton, Georgia location posted Chick-fil-A's official announcement to its Facebook page, creating quite the stir among fans. "We want to continue providing you the quality food and service you've come to expect, so we've had to make some hard choices about what we continue to offer on our menu," the statement read in part. The company also announced that the new spring collection will replace side salads. One Facebook user, who claims they order the side often, said they will be limiting their visits thanks to the change.

A Facebook post from a Yukon, Georgia location also confirmed side salads are heading to the list of discontinued Chik-fil-A items. "Chick-fil-A is saying goodbye to the side salad," it read. Commenters were similarly upset, with one person writing, "Awesome, another fast food going full on carbs for sides," and another saying, "that is the dumbest thing I've heard of."

Upon ordering the salad from Chick-fil-A, one TikTok user was handed out a card with the announcement. "Like, why would you do that?" the account owner said, crinkling up the paper in dissatisfaction. Hopefully for low-carb dieters, or simply salad fans, Chick-fil-A's new menu item offers a reasonable replacement.