This $7 Meal Is the Best Thing on Wendy’s Menu

I’d like to consider myself as something of a fast food expert. Not to flash my credentials, but I’ve been to nearly every fast food chain’s headquarters over the past few years, getting to see how the products are made and trying new (and, sometimes, unreleased) menu items. 

But, I don’t just eat fast food for my job. I’ve always been one to swing through a drive-thru or grab a quick bite at my favorite fast food restaurant. And, trust me, I do have my favorites—and go-to menu items at those favorites.

Wendy’s has long been my go-to for quick lunches, thanks to a $7 staple that is a delicious, complete meal, but is oftentimes overlooked for the burgers, nuggets, and fries. 

The most underrated item on Wendy’s menu is its Taco Salad.

Why I Love Wendy’s Taco Salad

Fast food salads have a bad reputation for limp lettuce and hardly any nutritional value. I’m not going to say that Wendy’s Taco Salad is the best salad on the planet, but I also crave it frequently. So, tell that to your boring house salad.

The Taco Salad is made with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, fire-roasted corn, Cheddar cheese, Creamy Salsa Dressing, and Chili Lime Seasoned Tortilla Strips, but the star of the salad is the side of Wendy’s chili that comes with it. I like to dump all the ingredients into my salad and shake it around, so it’s more like a taco bowl.

Wendy’s Taco Salad was a staple in the ‘90s, but then took a brief six-year hiatus starting in 2010. Since 2016, it’s been a permanent menu fixture; however, in 2024, Wendy’s made a huge change to the salad. 

Previously, Wendy’s Taco Salad was simply made with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Then, each customer would get a packet of salsa, sour cream, and tortilla chips—plus the chili—to dress the salad as they liked. It’s not clear why Wendy’s axed the sour cream, salsa, and tortilla chips in favor of a Creamy Salsa Dressing and Chili Lime Seasoned Tortilla Strips, but the change was very welcomed in my opinion—mainly because I love that the new dressing is similar to Chick-fil-A’s fan-loved Creamy Salsa Dressing.

The resulting Taco Salad is a hearty mix of vegetables, meat- and bean-filled chili, and a creamy salsa-flavored dressing that has become my go-to when I don’t want a burger (or, my usual 444 Jr, meal).

The salad, with the chili included, is a little more than $6.50, but I do like to make it a combo for a few more bucks—or at least order a side of fries to make it a Pittsburgh salad topped with fries. So, for less than $10, I’ve got a hearty meal that keeps me satisfied with delicious flavors that I’m constantly craving.