No matter whether you want a mug of frost-covered root beer made from the draft beer, or just looking for comfort food, the A&W menu features classic tastes of America and Canada’s cuisine heritage. With such popular dishes as the “Burger Family,” Wisconsin cheese curds, and floats, the menu might provide all necessary information to order the best meal for you.
This complete, optimized for search engines guide covers all menu items of A&W, along with their nutritional value, costs, vegetarian alternatives, and budgeting advice.
1. Iconic A&W Burgers & The Famous “Burger Family”
A&W revolutionized fast food by introducing theme-based burgers in the mid-20th century. Depending on whether you visit an A&W location in the U.S. or Canada, you will encounter the famed Burger Family.
| Burger Item | Key Ingredients | Calories | Approx. Price (USD/CAD) |
| Papa Burger® | Double beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, Papa Sauce | ~610 kcal | $6.69 – $8.89 |
| Mama Burger® | Single beef patty, pickles, onion, ketchup, mustard, mayo | ~400 kcal | $5.49 – $9.02 |
| Teen Burger® | Beef patty, bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, Teen sauce | ~500 kcal | $8.49 |
| Mozza Burger® | Beef patty, mozzarella cheese, bacon, special Mozza sauce | ~620 kcal | $8.49 |
| Original Bacon Cheeseburger | Single beef patty, hickory-smoked bacon, melted cheese | ~520 kcal | $6.29 |
Pro Tip: If you prefer a lighter beef portion without missing out on flavor, the Buddy Burger® or Single Cheeseburger offers great value with under 400 calories.
2. Hand-Breaded Chicken & Seafood Options
For those not seeking beef dishes, the menu offers A&W hand-breaded chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, and seasonal seafood dishes.
Chicken Dishes
- Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders (3pc/5pc): This dish is made using 100% all white meat chicken, which is dipped in seasoned batter and fried crispy. (660-1,100 cals | $7.49-$13.79)
- Chubby Chicken® / Crispy Chicken Sandwich: This is a juicy breaded chicken breast that is served with lettuce and mayo on a toasted brioche style bun. (490-600 cals | $7.69-$10.06)
- Spicy Habanero Chicken Burger: It is topped with spicy habanero aioli, lettuce, and sliced tomatoes. (550 cals | $7.79)
Seafood Dishes
- Pub-Battered Cod: Golden fish fillets which are crisp and served with tartar sauce. (480 cals | $9.99)
- Crispy Fish Sandwich: Battered cod is served with tartar sauce and crisp lettuce on a toasted bun. (510 cals | $5.79)
3. Classic Hot Dogs & Coney Dogs
A&W has offered hot dogs since the drive-in days.
- Classic Coney Dog: An all beef hot dog that is topped with A&W’s signature meat chili sauce and diced onions. (340 cals | $2.69-$3.49)
- Coney Cheese Dog: The classic Coney dog which is covered in cheddar cheese sauce. (380 cals | $3.29-$4.99)
- Corn Dog Nuggets (5pc/10pc): Bite sized hot dogs that are encased in sweet cornmeal batter. (250-500 cals | $2.29-$4.29)
4. Signature Sides: From Cheese Curds to Poutine
A&W stands out from typical fast-food chains with its selection of side dishes.
Popular A&W Sides Guide
| Side Item | Key Feature / Description | Calories |
| Wisconsin Cheese Curds | 100% Real Cheddar | 430–790 Cals |
| Hand-Battered Onion Rings | Fried to Order | 360–520 Cals |
| Classic Canadian Poutine | Fries, Curds & Gravy | 610 Cals |
- Real Wisconsin Cheese Curds: Lightly breaded cheddar bites fried until golden on the outside and gooey on the inside. (420–640 cals | $4.29 – $6.39)
- Thick-Cut Onion Rings: Made from whole sweet onions, dipped in signature batter, and cooked crispy. (360–520 cals | $3.29 – $7.60)
- Russet Thick-Cut Fries: Classic french fries seasoned with sea salt. (340 cals | $2.59 – $5.79)
- Canadian Poutine: Crisp thick-cut fries topped with rich gravy and real cheese curds. (610 cals | $5.99 – $8.50)
5. Drinks, Shakes, & The World-Famous Root Beer Float
Each A&W meal should include their famous root beer, made using cane sugar and natural spices and served in a chilled frosted mug.
A&W Root Beer & Floats
- A&W Draft Root Beer: Served cold in a frost-chilled mug. (150-290 calories | $2.19-$3.49)
- Famous Root Beer Float: A draft root beer served with rich vanilla soft serve. (320-580 calories | $2.99-$4.99)
- Root Beer Cream Freeze: A combination of root beer and vanilla soft serve. (430-800 calories | $4.24-$5.24)
Hand-Spun Shakes & Sweets
- Classic Hand-Spun Shakes: Offered in four flavors – Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry and Hot Fudge. (700-1,340 calories | $3.59-$6.59)
- Polar Swirls: Vanilla soft-serve combined with different treat toppings like Reese’s or Cookie Dough. (500-800 calories | $4.99-$5.79)
6. A&W Breakfast Menu Highlights
Several stand-alone A&W restaurants feature a breakfast menu during morning hours.
- Bacon & Egger®/Sausage & Egger®: Freshly cracked egg with real cheddar cheese and either bacon or sausage served with a toasted English muffin or warm sesame bun. (370-500 calories | $5.39-$7.08)
- All-Canadian/Classic Breakfast Platter: Two eggs, bacon or sausage, hash browns, and toast. (550-860 calories | $7.59-$10.79)
- Breakfast Wrap: Scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and either bacon or sausage rolled in a warm flour tortilla. (230-350 calories | $3.89-$4.63)
7. Vegetarian, Vegan, & Dietary Customizations
A&W provides several plant-based and customizable choices for restricted diets:
- Beyond Meat® / Plant-Based Burger: A 100% plant-based patty topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and mayo. You can request it without mayo for a vegan option. (500 cals | ~$11.33)
- Masala Veggie Burger: A spiced veggie patty suited for vegetarian fast-food lovers. (490 cals | ~$6.00)
- Lettuce Wrap (Keto / Low-Carb): Swap any burger bun for a fresh lettuce wrap to reduce carbs significantly.
- Zero-Sugar Root Beer: Enjoy the traditional root beer flavor without calories or sugar.
8. Smart Tips for Saving Money at A&W
- Upgrade to a Combo: Bundling a burger with fries and a drink can save $2–$4 compared to buying items individually.
- Use Mobile Apps & Coupons: Download the official A&W app to access weekly mobile coupons, BOGO deals, and rewards points.
- Take Advantage of Root Beer Float Day: Keep an eye out for national promotional days when locations offer free or discounted small root beer floats.
9. A&W Kids’ Meals (“Caddy Meals”)
Designed for younger diners (or those looking for smaller portions), A&W’s kids’ menu items are traditionally served in iconic cardboard car boxes called Caddy Meals.
- Main Entrée Options: Choose between a 2-piece Hand-Breaded Chicken Tender, classic Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Hot Dog, or 5-piece Corn Dog Nuggets.
- Sides Included: Choice of kid-sized Mott’s® Applesauce or regular Russet Fries.
- Beverage Options: Small A&W Root Beer, water, or 1% low-fat milk.
- Nutritional Range: ~350–650 kcal per full meal combination.
- Price Range: $5.29 – $6.79 (varies by region).
Bonus: Kids’ meals come with a fun collectible toy or prize featuring A&W’s famous mascot, Rooty the Great Root Bear.
10. Dipping Sauces & Signature Condiment Lineup
A big part of custom flavor profiles at A&W comes from their house-made dressings, dips, and burger sauces.
A&W Dipping Sauces & Condiments
| Category | Sauce / Dip Name | Key Profile / Features |
| Signature Burger Sauce | Papa / Teen Sauce | • Creamy Mayo Base • Tangy Pickle Relish • Secret Spice Blend |
| Savory Dipping Sauces | Spicy Jalapeño Ranch | Zesty ranch with a warm jalapeño kick |
| Honey Mustard | Sweet and tangy mustard dip | |
| Classic BBQ | Smoky and sweet barbecue sauce | |
| Spicy & Specialty Dips | Spicy Habanero Aioli | Creamy aioli infused with habanero heat |
| Sweet & Sour Sauce | Classic fruity and tangy dip | |
| House Tartar Sauce | Creamy sauce tailored for fish and seafood |
- Papa Sauce® / Teen Sauce®: A creamy blend of mayo, subtle onion notes, tangy relish, and spices used on the signature burger lineup.
- Dipping Sauces for Chicken & Curds: Honey Mustard, BBQ, Jalapeño Ranch, Sweet & Sour, and Spicy Habanero Aioli.
11. Seasonal & Limited-Time Menu Offerings (LTOs)
Every once in a while, A&W introduces seasonal menu items to get people coming back during different times of the year:
- Dirty Root Beers: Specialty root beers which are infused with other flavors, including the Caramel Dirty Root Beer, which is made by adding caramel syrup to the root beer.
- Mushroom & Swiss Melt / Onion Melts: A patty of beef topped with sautéed mushrooms, onions and swiss/cheddar cheese.
- Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich: Grilled chicken breast coated with smoky and spicy cayenne pepper glaze, topped with dill pickles.
- Value Mix and Match Menu: Offerings like the 2-for-$8 value mix and match deals, which include combinations like the Double Cheeseburger with a Crispy Alaska Fish Sandwich.
12. A&W “Secret Menu” Hacks & Popular Customizations
Popular items which are not displayed in the board, but can be created on request in many A&W drive-ins and restaurants include:
- Land, Air, and Sea Burger: The huge burger prepared by stacking beef patty, chicken tenders, and pub-battered fish on top of one another on one bun.
- Coney Fries / Chili Cheese Curds: Regular fries/Wisconsin Cheese Curds topped with hot Coney meat chili and cheese sauce.
- Monster Burger (Multi-Patty): Additional 100% beef patties added on a single Papa Burger® or Teen Burger®(can go up to 4-6 patties).
- Root Beer Float Affogato Style: Order of espresso shot (from restaurants providing breakfast), poured on a Root Beer Float.
13. Regional Differences: A&W USA vs. A&W Canada
It is important to note that A&W USA and A&W Canada operate as completely separate corporate entities with noticeable menu variations:
| Feature / Item | A&W Restaurants (United States) | A&W Restaurants (Canada) |
| Beef Quality Standard | Standard USDA Choice Beef | Grass-Fed, Hormone & Steroid-Free Beef |
| Famous Burger Core | Papa, Mama, Double Cheeseburger | Teen Burger®, Mozza Burger®, Uncle Burger® |
| Poutine Availability | Select co-branded or border locations | Standard nationwide menu item |
| Root Beer Base | Draft Made Fresh with Cane Sugar | Draft Draft Brewed with Natural Cane Sugar |
| Plant-Based Mainstay | Beyond Burger / Veggie Burger | Beyond Meat® Burger with Sesame Seed Bun |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular item on the A&W menu?
The Papa Burger® and the classic A&W Root Beer Float are the two most popular items ordered across locations.
Are A&W Root Beer Floats refillable?
Refill policies vary by franchise, but many dine-in locations offering traditional glass mugs provide free fountain drink refills.
Does A&W offer gluten-free options?
While A&W does not have a certified gluten-free kitchen due to cross-contamination risks in fryers, you can request beef or chicken patties served as a lettuce wrap without a bun.
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