9 Best Pizza Chain Restaurant Sides Hands-Down

You don't have to look far to find pizza in the U.S. It's long been one of the nation's favorite takeout foods, with countless chains serving everything from classic pepperoni pies to inventive specialty creations. While the pizzas understandably steal the limelight on most menus, many restaurants also offer an array of equally comforting side dishes that deserve a spot on your order.

At some of America's most popular pizza chains, certain sides have garnered just as much hype as the mains. Carb-forward picks such as fluffy breads and crispy potatoes are often a big hit, but lighter options like salads and proteins can be just as satisfying, having earned devoted followings of their own.

By scouring through customer reviews, we set out to find the nation's very best pizza accompaniments. All these sides are available at major chains (restaurant brands with locations operating in different parts of the country), and each one comes highly rated by diners. So, if you're looking to upgrade your next pizza night, these standout sides won't disappoint.

Melty cheese and soft, fluffy bread are a match made in heaven, and Domino's has nailed this irresistible combo. The chain's Stuffed Cheesy Bread is a firm favorite among customers, loved for its golden, perfectly seasoned exterior and epic cheese pull. The bread comes in the form of pull-apart strips, making it ideal for sharing, and it's made with no less than three types of cheese — cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan. There's a hint of garlic too. Ideally, you want to enjoy it with a side of tangy-sweet marinara for dipping, which beautifully balances all that cheesy richness. 

Various pizza chains have cheesy bread on their menus, but Domino's frequently gets the best ratings for this offering. In fact, when our taste tester ranked five cheesy breads from popular chains, the Domino's version came out on top, thanks to its buttery, garlicky flavor, chewy-crisp texture, and generous cheese filling. And, plenty of customers agree. "It's my favorite thing on the menu," wrote one fan on Reddit, adding, "I'd buy a couple of these and not even get a pizza sometimes." Another simply stated that their cheesy bread is divine, claiming that the beloved side is far better than any pizzas the chain offers.

Chuck E. Cheese is the ultimate family dining destination, and pizza takes center stage on the menu. However, if you're yet to try the chicken wings at this iconic arcade-meets-restaurant chain, you're missing out. According to customers, the sticky, sauce-smothered wings are highly underrated, and they make an excellent accompaniment to a hearty pizza. There's a choice of boneless or traditional wings, and six tempting sauces options, including Spicy Korean BBQ and Louisiana Honey Hot. 

The wings are succulent, generously sized, and coated with a light breading that gives the exterior a subtle crispness. "Chuck E. Cheese has the BEST buffalo wings in town," shared one enthusiastic customer on Facebook, who opted for the spicy buffalo version and a side of creamy ranch. In an Instagram video, food reviewers were shocked by the impressive flavor of the wings, stating "never in my life did I think I'd be in love with a wing from Chuck E. Cheese." They even boldly claimed that the wings were superior to many of Wingstop's menu items — another reason to add these meaty bites to your next order.

If you're after a crowd-pleasing side that brings all the comforting vibes, Pizza Hut's Breadsticks are a top pick. These doughy bites have earned themselves something of a cult following among regulars, and it's clear to see why. The breadsticks offer a delightful contrast of crispiness and fluffiness, with a rich, buttery topping and a moreish garlic-Parmesan seasoning. Served with the chain's signature marinara sauce, these pillowy sticks are sure to go down a treat.

In our ranking of chain restaurant breadsticks, Pizza Hut's take on this Italian-inspired classic took a very respectable second place. Our taste tester loved the crunchy exterior and highlighted the impressive depth of flavor, noting, "I could eat a whole portion of these by myself in a single sitting." Over on Reddit, the praise continued. "I don't know what it is about pizza hut's breadsticks but omg, they hit every single time," wrote one customer, while another Redditor proclaimed that "Pizza Huts makes the BEST breadsticks!!!...PERIOD." Pizza Hut's marinara is just as well-loved, too, boasting a subtle sweetness that works to contrast the savory topping. Many diners do recommend ordering extra sauce, as the chain can be a little stingy with its portion sizes.

If you're after something a little lighter, Mellow Mushroom's Greek salad makes for a wonderfully refreshing addition to one of the chain's loaded, stone-baked pizzas. This vibrant dish combines classic Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like juicy tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives, crisp cucumber, and tangy crumbled feta cheese. Ordering this veggie-packed delight is a great way to add more color and nutrients to your meal.

There's nothing worse than a sad salad, but this Mellow Mushroom staple is anything but. Each element works in harmony with the next, creating a well-rounded side that's brimming with complementary flavors and satisfying textures. This dish is frequently recommended by regulars, who love to order the wholesome side alongside their go-to pies. On Reddit, comments include "[Mellow Mushroom's] pizza and Greek salad are to die for!" Others call it the best Greek salad they ever had, while some reviewers have been pleasantly surprised by the salad's large portion size. One diner even set out to recreate the Mellow Mushroom Greek salad at home after being wowed by the dish.

Another pizza chain that's perfected its cheese bread is Little Caesars. This side makes for a wonderfully indulgent addition to your dinner spread, bringing all the gooey cheese and crispy-edged deliciousness that you'd expect. In the box, you'll get 10 rectangular pieces of the freshly baked Italian Cheese Bread. It comes drizzled with a buttery, garlicky topping, smothered with cheese, and sprinkled with Italian herbs. This one doesn't automatically come with a dipping sauce, but you could always add a pot of the chain's marinara-style Crazy Sauce to your order.

This menu item has received many glowing reviews on Reddit. When one Little Caesars newbie asked for advice on what to order, multiple customers were quick to hype up the cheese bread, with many dubbing it their favorite. In another discussion, the side was described as "fully loaded with Parmesan and seasoning," before the user firmly stated there's nothing better than this option. One fan also praised the bread's great value, adding that it is a flavor-packed option with a great texture.

Little Caesars also offers a "zesty" version of its cheese bread, which sees the buttery garlic drizzle replaced with a spicier jalapeño cheese sauce. This option also received incredible reviews, so it's absolutely worth a try if you prefer your pizza sides with a kick of heat.

Widely considered one of the best value pizza chains in the U.S., Papa John's also offers an array of wings, bowls, and bread-based sides, including the fan-favorite Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks. These cheesy, buttery beauties are a satisfying pick, with a pillowy-crisp texture and a next-level richness. They're made with the chain's original dough, which is baked in long strips until golden brown, then topped with lashings of garlic sauce and sharp, nutty Parmesan. You can enjoy them the classic way with a side of marinara, or choose from a selection of other sauces, such as ranch, spicy garlic, blue cheese, or buffalo.

We saw the Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks recommended time and time again online, with many diners speaking highly of this indulgent side. On Reddit, a former Papa John's employee said the breadsticks were what they missed most about working at the chain, simply stating that "garlic parm sticks are bomb." Others noted that the breadsticks are made with exactly the same dough and coating as the garlic knots, but the former offers much better value for money. "You are getting double the dough for $1 more," explained one customer, who dubbed the breadsticks one of their favorite items on the menu. 

Not only is Shakey's America's oldest franchised pizza chain, it's also home to the famous Mojo Potatoes. Shakey's describes these crispy bites as "lightly battered, seasoned to perfection and deliciously golden brown", so it's no wonder that the potatoes have remained one of the chain's most beloved menu items for decades. Mojos are perfect for snacking, sharing, and dunking into creamy or spicy dips, so adding a batch to your Shakey's pizza feast is really a no brainer.

Mojo Potatoes bring back fond memories for many who grew up in the 1970s — a time when Shakey's had almost 500 locations across the States. Today, there are just 43 restaurants remaining, mostly centered in Southern California, meaning Mojo Potatoes aren't as widely available as they once were. "Shakey's Pizza's Mojo Potatoes were the bomb," wrote a nostalgic diner on Reddit, before another user swiftly chimed in with, "THEY STILL ARE... I love them." Another longtime Shakey's fan proudly remarked, "Only those who grew up with this place are qualified to judge. And I'm here to tell you it's delicious! ... No man has ever said they didn't like a Mojo potato from Shakey's."

If Marco's is your go-to pizzeria, you may well have sampled the chain's iconic Pepperoni Bread. This side serves as a meaty twist on your average garlic or cheese bread, bringing that distinctive spicy and smoky pepperoni flavor to every bite. It also features three varieties of cheese and a layer of aromatic garlic sauce, which all get piled atop a delightfully doughy, golden base with a sprinkle of the chain's signature Romesan seasoning. It'll go great with the chain's original pizza sauce, but you could absolutely pair this bread with a side of creamy jalapeño ranch or tangy blue cheese dip for an even richer finish.

Countless customers have raved about this bread, in terms of texture, taste, and value for money. "Marco's makes a great dough," was the verdict from one YouTube reviewer, who praised the bread's soft crust, subtle hint of sweetness, and overall hearty appeal. "A quality product with a quality price," they went on to say. Another customer loved the combination of the buttery garlic topping and salty pepperoni, rating the side a solid 10 out of 10.

With more than 240 locations and backing from none other than LeBron James, Blaze Pizza has certainly made a name for itself. Among the chain's diverse selection of pizzas, salads, breads, and desserts is a side that's well worth trying — the Pesto Garlic Cheesy Bread. This sees a classic thick pizza dough based topped with mozzarella, oregano, chopped garlic, and a pesto drizzle, then served with (a very generous) two tubs of tomato-based pizza sauce.

When our sister site Mashed ranked 13 most popular menu items at Blaze, the Pesto Garlic Cheesy Bread was a clear winner. "This cheesy bread is chewy, delicious, and full of rounded flavor," wrote the reviewer, noting the aromatic tang of the garlic and light, herbal taste of the pesto. They also mentioned that while the dipping sauce was a pleasant addition, dunking wasn't always necessary, since the bread was delicious enough to shine as is. On YouTube, a customer described the irresistible contrast of the bread's crisp exterior and fluffy middle, explaining that the pesto "adds a really nice buttery sensation." A second reviewer highlighted the richness of the mozzarella, which they felt paired especially well with the toasty crust.

This list of must-try pizza chain sides was compiled with careful research. We made our selections based on online reviews across multiple sources, including Reddit, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Every item that made it into this lineup has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers, earning praise for its flavor, texture, and value. As one of the most popular pizza sides, bread-based items are a prominent feature here, but we aimed to include some lighter options too, to showcase the full scope of what pizza chains have to offer beyond their signature pies.