Chick-fil-A has been playing games with their customers for years.
The chain swears up and down they don’t have a secret menu like other restaurants.
But Chick-fil-A just exposed their secret menu with these 12 items that will change everything.
Chick-fil-A claims they don’t have a secret menu – but their own actions tell a different story
For years, Chick-fil-A management has insisted they don’t operate a secret menu like In-N-Out or McDonald’s.
They’ve made this claim on their company website and in various statements.
But here’s where it gets interesting – while they officially deny having secret menu items, multiple sources confirm they actually encourage creative customization and off-menu ordering.
Talk about speaking out of both sides of your mouth.
The reality is that Chick-fil-A absolutely allows menu customization when possible.
Their only requirements are that the restaurant has the requested ingredients on hand and that the customization doesn’t take too much time to prepare.
So much for their "no secret menu" policy.
The Cookie Icedream Sandwich that customers love but isn’t officially acknowledged
One of the most popular "not secret" secret menu items is the Cookie Icedream Sandwich.
Multiple food websites confirm this treat is well-known among customers and some individual store locations even promote it on their Instagram accounts.
Here’s how to order it: ask for a cup of Icedream soft-serve ice cream and two Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
You’ll need to assemble the sandwich yourself, though some friendly employees might help if you ask nicely.
During holiday months when Chick-fil-A offers their Peppermint Chocolate Chip Shake, you can supercharge this dessert by asking for a side of peppermint shavings and chocolate chips to mix into your Icedream.
The breakfast hack that turns Chick-n-Minis into a masterpiece
Another "official unofficial" menu item is the Chick-n-Minis Masterpiece.
Order Chick-n-Minis and hashbrowns – the hashbrowns fit perfectly inside the mini buns.
Dip the hashbrowns in your favorite Chick-fil-A sauce before adding them to the sandwiches.
You can amp up these mini sandwiches even further by asking for a side of pickles or sliced jalapeño peppers if you’re in certain parts of Texas.
Want to maximize the size? Ask for a slice of cheese on the side, tear it into quarters, and add one piece to each mini sandwich.
The Buffalo Chicken Sandwich that some locations will make for you
Chick-fil-A’s classic chicken sandwich is hard to beat, but you can easily transform it into a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.
In some locations, you can simply ask for a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and receive it pre-slathered in Chick-fil-A’s Zesty Buffalo sauce.
If the employee looks confused, just request a packet of Zesty Buffalo sauce on the side and add it yourself.
The same technique works with sriracha sauce for those who want some serious heat.
One food blogger suggests an advanced technique: remove the buns, place the chicken patty in the sandwich bag, pour in the sauce, fold the bag over, shake it to coat the patty completely, then reassemble.
Summer’s secret Strawberry Peach Milkshake combination
During the summer months when peach milkshakes return to the menu, you can create the ultimate flavor combination.
Ask the employee to add strawberry topping to your peach milkshake before blending.
Since strawberry milkshakes are available year-round, this customization is always possible during peach season.
Don’t stop there with milkshake customizations – try adding strawberry topping to chocolate for a chocolate strawberry shake, or request Oreo cookies in your chocolate shake for a cookies and cream variation.
You can even customize lemonades and teas this way by asking for strawberry topping to be added.
The root beer float that some locations promote
Chick-fil-A serves root beer and always has Icedream soft-serve on tap, making root beer floats a natural off-menu option.
This "secret" item is popular enough that some Houston-area locations have promoted free root beer floats on their Facebook pages.
Even professional pop singer Haven has posted about enjoying this treat on social media.
The only decision you need to make is what size to order – go with the large because why not?
Breakfast customization that creates the perfect Spicy Chicken, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
While Chick-fil-A offers a Chicken, Egg & Cheese Bagel on their breakfast menu, you can easily swap the bagel for a biscuit.
Take it one step further and ask for the Spicy Chicken, Egg & Cheese Biscuit for extra kick.
Food hackers suggest upgrading the American cheese to pepper jack for additional heat.
If you really want to bring the fire, ask for sides of jalapeño salsa or sriracha sauce to drizzle on top.
The "well done" hack that creates perfectly crispy fries and sandwiches
Here’s a game-changer that former employees reveal: you can ask for your waffle fries "well done."
According to former Chick-fil-A employee Kate Cook, who wrote for Spoon University, "This is by far the greatest thing I learned during my time at Chick-fil-A. You can order your fries well done, and they’ll be twice-fried."¹
This means they get an extra trip through the fryer, creating a perfectly crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft.
Cook explained that "the waffle shape of the fries is perfect for this because the outside gets extra crispy and the inside stays soft and super potato-y."²
The same "well done" request works for chicken sandwiches too.
Reddit users who’ve tried this hack say they "can never go back" to regular preparation.
As a bonus, requesting items "well done" ensures you’re getting freshly prepared food instead of something sitting under heat lamps.
However, it’s important to note that not all locations still offer this option, as some have discontinued it due to operational efficiency concerns.
The loaded Chicken Sandwich with Mac ‘N’ Cheese that’s going viral
While you can order a basic grilled cheese sandwich at Chick-fil-A, smart customers are thinking bigger.
Order your favorite chicken sandwich with a side of mac and cheese, then spoon about half the mac and cheese inside the sandwich.
Social media users are calling this creation worthy of any trendy restaurant.
The combination of chicken, bread, cheese, and butter creates an indulgent sandwich that food bloggers are raving about online.
Advanced customizations for serious Chick-fil-A fans
For the ultimate customization, ask for your sandwich to be double-breaded.
This means the chicken gets dipped in milk wash, coated with breading, dipped again, coated again, then fried.
The result is double the crispiness and double the crunch.
You can also request extra pickles – most locations will gladly add more to your sandwich and might even give you extra on the side.
Some locations offer grilled chicken bagels during breakfast hours: a bagel with grilled chicken fillet, Colby jack cheese, tomato, and cream cheese.
The truth about Chick-fil-A’s "secret menu" policy
Look, here’s what’s really happening.
Chick-fil-A doesn’t want to officially acknowledge a secret menu because it would complicate operations and create expectations they can’t always meet.
But they absolutely encourage customization and off-menu creativity when possible.
The key is understanding that availability depends on what ingredients each location has in stock and how busy they are.
Most of these "secret" items use existing ingredients in creative combinations.
Smart customers have figured out that Chick-fil-A employees are typically happy to accommodate reasonable customization requests.
The restaurant chain gets the best of both worlds – they can deny having a secret menu while their own blog posts and social media accounts promote exactly these types of off-menu creations.
For folks who love Chick-fil-A’s food, this opens up a world of possibilities beyond the standard menu board.
The next time you visit, don’t be afraid to ask for these customizations.
Chances are good that the employee taking your order has heard these requests before and knows exactly what you want.
¹ Kate Cook, "6 Things You Never Knew About Chick-fil-A, According to a Former Employee," Spoon University, August 6, 2023.
² Ibid.