A&W Secret Menu Items You Can Actually Order
A&W is best known for frosty mugs of root beer and classic drive‑in burgers, but the chain’s mix‑and‑match toppings, soft‑serve dispensers, and customizable sides make it a sleeper hit for off‑menu creativity. Whether you’re visiting a U.S. combo store or a standalone Canadian outlet, the ingredients below are nearly universal—meaning you can level‑up your order without baffling staff or waiting 10 minutes in the carhop lane. Here are seven secret‑menu creations every root‑beer lover should try, plus ordering scripts, taste notes, and etiquette tips to keep your carhop (or cashier) smiling.
1. The Root Beer Float Freeze
What it tastes like
A thicker, shake‑like spin on the classic float—think Dairy Queen Blizzard meets frosty mug.
How to order
Ask for a medium or large root‑beer freeze but request “extra thick blend” and “vanilla soft‑serve base instead of ice.” Many A&W blenders can pulse soft‑serve and root beer together on “Freeze” mode.
Pro tip
Add a shot of caramel syrup (yes, most stores have it for sundaes) for a butterscotch‑y undertone.
2. Papa Poutine Burger (Canada & Select U.S. Stores)
What it tastes like
Cheesy, gravy‑soaked indulgence with smoky bacon crunch.
How to order
Order a Papa Burger—or Teen Burger if you want bacon—“plain, no veggies.” Separately buy a side of poutine. Ask for an extra paper boat, then scoop fries, cheese curds, and gravy directly onto the burger patties. Top bun, press lightly, enjoy.
Etiquette note
Kitchen staff often can’t combine sides and mains for food‑safety reasons; be ready to assemble at your table.
3. The A&W “Orange Julius” Float
What it tastes like
Orange creamsicle in soda form, fizzing with nostalgia.
How to order
Ask for half orange soda (or Sunkist fountain) and half vanilla shake in one frosted mug. Stir gently to create a foamy creamsicle float.
Pro tip
If the store only offers vanilla soft‑serve, order an Orange Soda and a kid‑size vanilla cup; pour soft‑serve into soda yourself.
4. Cheddar Chili Cheese Curds
What it tastes like
The forbidden love child of Wisconsin cheese curds and Tex‑Mex chili.
How to order
Purchase a side of cheese curds (available in most U.S. stores, all Canadian units). Add a small side of chili (yes, A&W sells chili as a topping or side). Combine in the curd box. Optional jalapeño slices for heat.
Pro tip
Ask for a packet of chipotle mayo (used on some limited‑time burgers) and drizzle over the top—instant smoky depth.
5. Bacon Maple Onion Rings (Canada)
What it tastes like
Sweet‑salty glaze hugging crunchy rings, reminiscent of carnival fritters.
How to order
Order regular onion rings. Separately request two strips of bacon chopped and a side of maple dip (sold with sweet potato fries). Toss rings in maple dip, sprinkle bacon bits, devour.
Pro tip
Timing matters—request rings “fresh drop” for max crispness so they don’t wilt under maple syrup.
6. Diet Root Beer & Cream “Skinny” Float
What it tastes like
Classic float flavor but lighter, great for calorie watchers.
How to order
Order a diet root beer in a frosty mug, then ask for a kids’ soft‑serve cone on the side. Dunk the swirl into the drink yourself. You control portion size, shaving about 150 calories versus a full float.
7. The “007” Burger (Secret Sauce Double‑O‑Seven)
What it tastes like
Bond‑level richness: double patties, double cheese, double sauce.
How to order
Request a Double Buddy Burger (or Mama Burger) with two slices of cheese instead of one, then say “extra papa sauce.” The result is seven flavor layers: bun, sauce, lettuce, cheese, patty, cheese, patty—hence “007.”
Flavor hack
Substitute papa sauce with spicy chipotle mayo for a fiery Bond villain twist.
Secret‑Menu Etiquette at A&W
Know ingredient names. A&W staff may not recognize “Orange Julius Float,” but they understand “half orange soda, half vanilla shake.”
Off‑peak orders win. Attempt mash‑ups during slower hours—mid‑afternoon or late evening.
Expect up‑charges. Extra cheese, bacon, or custom blends cost more; respect menu economics.
DIY assembly. Health codes limit cross‑contamination; be prepared to build your creation at a table or in your car.
Tip (where allowed). Carhop bringing condiments for your crazy request? Throw them a buck.
Ingredient Availability Cheat Sheet
Vanilla Soft‑Serve – all units
Caramel & Chocolate Syrups – sundae stations
Chili – topping or side
Poutine components – fries, cheese curds, gravy (Canada; some U.S. test stores)
Cheese Curds – U.S. Midwest & Canada
Maple Dip – primarily Canada
Papa Sauce – global, ask for extra cup
Chipotle Mayo – seasonal but common
If a location lacks an ingredient, improvise—e.g., use cheese sauce if curds are unavailable.
Health Reality
Most hacks skew indulgent; a large Root Beer Float Freeze tops 600 calories. To mitigate damage:
Order kid sizes or splits.
Choose diet root beer and skip added syrups.
Balance the day—pair heavy lunch hacks with lighter breakfast/dinner.
Remember, a secret menu is best enjoyed occasionally, not daily.
Why These Hacks Work
A&W’s strength lies in its minimalist menu: burgers, fries, rings, dogs, root beer, and desserts. Every store stocks vanilla soft‑serve, root beer, and core condiment sauces—like LEGO bricks that snap into creative shapes. By combining dipping sauces, beverage syrups, and baked sides, you unlock flavors corporate marketing never thought to pitch.
Final Swig
Secret‑menu culture turns a nostalgic drive‑in brand into an experimental lab. Whether you’re sipping an Orange Cream Float under neon lights or stuffing a Papa Burger with gooey poutine, A&W has all the tools to satisfy your inner culinary hacker. Just order with clarity, tip with gratitude, and share the hack with fellow root‑beer aficionados—because joy, like fizzy foam in a frosted mug, is better when it overflows.
