Have you ever heard of Zaxby’s? Chances are if you don’t live in the South, you probably haven’t heard of it (though, judging by their store locator I see some locations in Indiana)! I had never heard of Zaxby’s until I moved to Georgia a few years ago. They specialize in made to order chicken fingers and wings and also have a variety of salads, appetizers, and sandwiches. Being that their menu mainly consist of chicken, I had never tried it out. Then one day my husband was talking about how good their french fries are and it had never crossed my mind that they might have good fries…..boy was I wrong! They have the best crinkle cut seasoned fries, AND they have delicious sauces to accompany them. However, one thing that is a little different at Zaxby’s is that you actually have to pay for their sauce. Good for them, bad for me, considering I would probably drink their Zax Sauce if I didn’t have to pay for it.
Since we eat french fries at home a good bit, I decided to make my own Zax Sauce. After a couple of tries, it came out great, and I will definitely keep making it at home. It does have one ingredient I am not really a fan of, mayonnaise, so I think next time I make it I will try out a healthier alternative using Greek yogurt. I’ll keep you posted! For now you get the full fat, purely decadent copy cat Zax Sauce recipe. Enjoy!
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1. Mix together the mayo, ketchup, and garlic powder, blending well. Add Worcestershire sauce and blend well. Cover the surface of sauce with lots of black pepper until just coated. Blend well. Repeat process covering surface with black pepper and stir until blended well.
- 2. Refrigerate for at least two hours prior to use to allow the flavors to mingle.
- Serve with chicken fingers or fries!
- Recipe from Food.com
*Shout out to my husband for being an exceptional hand model so I could get these photos!*
Like sauces and dips as much as I do? Check out these other recipes from Domestic Superhero:
taraallglorious says
I completely agree with you on wanting to drink it! So excited to try out this recipe.
Allyson says
Let me know how you like it!
cookingwithcurls says
I have never heard of Zaxby’s, but I love dipping my fries in sauce! Sounds delicious 🙂
Allyson says
You should try it! I bet you will like it!
Jen W says
I was surprised when I moved to GA that you could have a restaurant of all chicken finger type items. You don’t find that up north. I love dipping my chicken fingers in the zax sauce. People are missing out if they’ve never tried zaxbys! They also have the best ice for drinks.
Allyson says
What do you mean the best ice? I am intrigued…
Jen W says
They are small pellet sized cylinder looking ice. The best for soft drinks. I know pregnant people who have gone in just to buy a cup of ice.
Allyson says
I googled it! I totally get it! I should try them, I have heard they have really good sweet tea, too!
Jordan says
The ice Jen is referring to is the same as Sonic ice! Best ice BY FAR. Also, love the recipe!!! I need to have it at my house but I don’t want to feel awkward asking Zaxby’s for a “crap ton” of their sauce packets. Thank you so much for saving the day and awkward encounter 🙂
Allyson says
Haha, it wouldn’t be awkward because THEY MAKE YOU PAY FOR THEM! So, you will actually be saving lots of money 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!
Steve says
They do have the best ice!
Allyson says
Ha, YES! Most people don’t know that 😛
Teri Ware says
I SO agree about the ice!
now at home mom says
yum! I LOVE Mayo, so I think this is something I would really love with my fries! 🙂 unfortunately, I don’t have healthy habits 🙂
Allyson says
This dip is so good!
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Anyonita says
Girrrrrl, you have just made my MONTH! Last time we were in the States, I introduced my husband to Zaxbys and he fell in love. I swear, I have dreams about that sauce and as soon as we go back to visit my parents, that’s the first place we eat! Needless to say, Zaxby’s hasn’t exactly expanded to England yet, but now I can make this sauce here! Can’t wait to try it! 🙂
Allyson says
This makes me so happy! I hope that it can live up to your expectations!!
Tumbleweed Contessa says
I haven’t ever been to Zaxbys but it sounds like I have been missin out. I would never have thought of this combination. Now that you put it out there it makes perfect sense though! Thanks for sharing at What’d You Do This Weekend.
Ashley Addison says
OMG, you have no idea how much you just made my day with this recipe. I absolutely love Zaxby’s and I don’t live on the East Coast anymore so I haven’t had any in over 3 1/2 years. We go for a visit next week and it will be one of my first stops, but this recipe will be getting tried this weekend for sure. I can’t wait to try this. I am a new follower from the Freedom Fridays link party. Thanks so much for sharing this!!!
Allyson says
Yay! This makes me so happy!! I hope you like it as much as I did! Enjoy your trip, too!
Toni says
In the western states, we just call this fry sauce…
Allyson says
Oh really?! I hadn’t heard of it even when I was going to school out in California!
Toni says
Oh yeah, great stuff, its cool that its finally moving east lol! I get tired of going to Maine and people staring at me funny when I ask for it!
Allyson says
Who would have thought! Thanks for stopping by!
Heather says
I was totally going to say what Tony said. Originated in Utah I believe.
I have never hear of it made with black pepper and Worcestershire sauce, I am going to have to give that a try!
Betty says
They have this sauce in the southern states too.
E says
A Utah original. Fry Sauce. It’s free at every restaurant. Fry sauce goes on everything here. No ketchup! LoL! It is so popular that national chain restaurants had to start offering it at their Utah locations. Cheesecake factory has their own version in all there Utah locations.
Try mixing mayo + BBQ sauce + a little ketchup= Training tables fry sauce. Great stuff!!
Allyson says
I had never heard of this fry sauce until now! I am going to ask my Utah friends about it! Thanks for stopping by!
Maria says
If you have any extra, how long will this keep?
Allyson says
Hmm, I’m not sure because we have never had extra! This recipe doesn’t make a huge amount. I would probably assume if in a sealed container (like mason jar), probably a week or more…
Katie says
Yep, Fry Sauce is a staple here in Utah at almost all restaurants and homes (a regional restaurant based in Utah claims to be the inventor). It’s such a “Utah” thing that during the 2002 Olympics there was even a Fry Sauce trading pin. Try it on your burgers. Glad to see similar recipes are finally available outside of the Western states.
Allyson says
I am so surprised I had never heard of this Fry Sauce! So interesting! Thanks for coming by!
Cyn says
Here in NW Missouri we call it Artic Circle sauce after the restaurant that was here for years. Love the stuff, always have it with fries!
Katie says
I make it to but I put paprika in it.
Robin says
Zaxby’s is awesome, the original Zax restaurants Re in Athens, Statesboro and Valdosta. LOVE, LOVE the saucs and dip the chicken, fries and toast in it. I can’t wait to try this out.
Allyson says
I didn’t know that Zaxby’s had started in GA! That’s so fun to know! I have been to the Original Moe’s, but I will have to be on the lookout for Zaxby’s next time we are in Athens (My husband went to UGA!). Thanks for stopping by, Robin!
Diana Rambles says
If you’ve been south of Indy, you will understand why it’s the south! I have never heard of Zax, but this looks yummy!
Allyson says
haha! It is delicious!
keck says
in the Pacific Northwest, it’s called fry sauce or special sauce! Delicious!
JOHNNY LONADIER SR says
HARD TO BELEIVE, NO ONE HAS HEARD OF THIS SAUCE BEFORE. CANE S CHICKEN FINGERS, CALL IT HIS SAUCE HE CREADED. THEY BEEN SERVING THIS SAME SAUCE WITH BOILED CRAWFISH FOR I KNOW OVER 40 YEARS. WHOEVER SERVES IT, HAS THIER OWN NAME FOR IT. JOHNNY IN LOUISIANA
PS. SOME ADD TABASCO SAUCE TO THE SAUCE TO SPICE IT UP.
Courtney says
What’s the best mayo to use?
Allyson says
I use Light and Fit brand from Aldi, but I think Hellman’s would work great too! I wouldn’t try it with a Miracle Whip…otherwise you are good to go!
Doug says
Duke’s!!!
Brooke says
In Ohio we have a newer chain restaurant called Raising Canes that serves this same exact sauce, and they too charge you for it. They even have the same pellet type of ice. It really is a good recipe! Thanks for sharing it!
Allyson says
This sauce charging business needs to go out the window! Well, it doesn’t matter now because I just make it at home! Thanks for stopping by!
Alyson says
Up north we call this “fry sauce” and most restaurants carry a version of it! Glad it’s catching on in the south! When I went south for college, I was flabbergasted that nobody had heard of fry sauce! I hadn’t realized it was a regional thing. 🙂
T. says
I grew up eating something VERY similar, only with tobasco sauce in place of the black pepper, with crawfish and boiled shrimp. My hubs looked at me like I was nuts when I whisked this up to go with fries. It’s great with everything- fried fish, chicken fingers, fries, shrimp, crawfish. Yum! I just love it! I think it’s been around for awhile, just under different names.
Allyson says
Tabasco sounds like a yummy twist that my husband would love! Thanks for stopping by today!
Amanda Gregory says
I have never ate at Zaxbys but my hubby has and he loves their sauce. So I made your sauce and he absolutely loves it and so does the rest of the family even though we couldn’t compare like he did we still love it. So Thank you for the recipe
Allyson says
I am so happy that you guys loved it!! Trust me, you don’t even have to try the real Zax sauce when you have this one, they are the same!! Thanks for stopping by to let me know how y’all liked it!!
Kathryn Glazier says
My daughter likes mayo only with her fries, and I like mayo & ketchup…but this sounds like winner! Can’t wait to try this!
Allyson says
You guys will love it!! Let me know how it goes and thanks for stopping by!
Mildred says
In my Cajun home we add Tabasco and lemon juice. The only thing I dip boiled shrimp in! And sweet potato fries. It’s fantastic. Been using it all my life and I’m 61. We call it Cajun Sauce.
Allyson says
Those sound like tasty additions! Thanks for sharing!
Mos says
In Utah, this is called pink sauce and it’s served everywhere! Literally! Although I’ve heard that they use vinegar instead but I can be wrong. I’ll have to try this version!
Allyson says
It’s so funny, I had a few people from Utah comment that it’s called Fry sauce! I guess it has many names!
Vickie Snow says
Have never heard it called pink sauce in Utah. It’s fry sauce. There is a place in Roy, Utah called the Burger Bar. It was featured on Diners,Drive-ins, and Dives. They use Miracle whip. I was disappointed. I guess you have to like Miracle Whip. I don’t. I like the original mayo, ketchup and a little dill pickle juice. I have always heard that it originated at Arctic Circle drive-in. It’s ALWAYS free in Utah.
When I make Cajun sweet potato fries, i make chipotle fry sauce with ketchup, mayo and a little Bufalo brand chipotle sauces
Donna says
Checking in from Canada. Never heard of Zaxby’s or fry sauce but this sounds great. I love ketchup and mayo with my fries so this recipe should be fantastic.Thanks
Susan says
It sounds like Cane’s sauce recipe. It is also good for dunking boiled crawfish. Yummy!
Ava says
In Idaho we call it fry sauce and you have ask for it, it isn’t offered, usually. I make it at other fast food joints, or burger joints the mid west just by asking for a couple packets of mayo and mix with ketchup with a straw, if necessary. I don’t have the extra spices, but it is still great.
Lindy Lou says
One question….is it Mayo like Hellman’s or Miracle Whip…it would make a difference in the taste!! Anxious to try this!!
Allyson says
I would definitely use Hellmans or alike! I think Miracle Whip would through off the flavor….hope you enjoy!
JOHNNY LONADIER SR says
MAYO IS LIKE HELLMANS, OR KRAFT, EVEN A GERNIC BRAND OF A MAYO. I HAVE MADE IT WITH MIRCLE WHIP, AND IT S ALL GOOD.
Brad says
It’s funny hearing so many people mentioning this sauce “finally” catching on in the South! Zaxby’s has been around for at least a decade! I used to work for them. We found out that, in addition to being delicious, Zax sauce will clean a penny!
If you’re into spicy food, try their nuclear sauce. Insane is hotter, but the heat kills the flavor, so nuclear is the way to go!
Julie says
I just found your recipe on pinterest and can’t wait to try it. As Georgia natives, we love our Zaxby’s sauce, but we now live in the north. My father buys it by the case for us and brings it up!
Allyson says
That is so nice of your Father! Where in GA did you live? We live right outside atlanta, and I had never even heard of Zaxby’s until I moved here! I hope you like it!
lsbraswell says
It needs a dash of Lawry’s Seasoned Salt with it as well. I used to work for a fast food restaurant in which we made this sauce (of course we could not call it “Zax Sauce”, but it was practically the same thing). Lawry’s will give it that extra flavor it needs. 🙂
Allyson says
Good tip, thanks!
Judith Cochran says
WooHoo! I love Zaxby sauce! Thank You!
lpalmer113@gmail.com says
I made this, and I think I found an extra ingredient. I added about 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, it gives it that little kick 🙂 It also gives you a little bit of customization to your sauce, if you like that sort of thing.
Amy says
Dip your chicken in it! I’m from Minnesota and we have Raising Canes up here and they have this sauce but it’s not just for the fries. The chicken is delicious dipped in it.
Allyson says
I think at Zaxby’s it’s technically for the chicken, too…since they are a chicken restaurant, but it just so happens we are vegetarians in this house 🙂
Sarah Prox says
Have you tried this with plain yogurt instead of mayo?
Allyson says
I have tried the recipe several different ways and this was the closest it gets to the real thing. I would suggest greek yogurt over regular yogurt, but it still tastes pretty different with the yogurt substitution.
Sarah Prox says
I just made some using plain yogurt. It wasn’t quite as good as the first batch I made (with the mayo) but for the fat grams I saved, I don’t feel bad about eating so much of it! LOL
Allyson says
I think it would totally be worth the calorie savings if it tastes similar!
smashedgirlfriday says
I saw this and thought, “Why does this look so familiar?” Finally it clicked that it was just like Raising Cane’s sauce. I’m so excited to try this at home! I’m in Oklahoma, and we just got Cane’s a couple of years ago. I’ve never been to Zaxby’s, because my Atlanta relatives own chicken restaurants (Tanner’s) so I think they’d be offended LOL! Thanks for sharing!
Emily says
I’m going to make these with fried pickles!
kathystevensaustin says
My daughter works at Raising Cane’s here in Houston and THEY the ones who invented it. Same sauce except you add paprika. And they do NOT charge for the sauce down here. Restaurant started in Louisiana close to LSU for the students. I make this sauce all the time, use it for every thing and it lasts almost 2 weeks in closed container in fridge. Not that there is any left, but it’s easy enough to make.
bcooper976 says
I wonder if Zaxby’s Zestable sauce (served with fried mushrooms) is the same but with the addition of horseradish? We LOVE it on chicken. I’m going to try it tonight.
Allyson says
Let me know how it is!
Christie Howell says
My husband and I are from Tennessee and neither of us have heard of Zaxby’s…… but this is fry sauce almost the to drop that my family has been making for generations…… Just like one of the previous posts said… fry sauce…
Allyson says
Or ZAX sauce…if you have been to Zaxbys 🙂
Angela says
I just (now) came across this recipe for “Zaxby’s Dipping Sauce”. We’re originally from the northern East Coast, but we’re presently residing in the Midwest (due to hubby’s work.) I’m not familiar with Zaxby’s. Nevertheless, this sauce contains ingredients which everyone usually has on hand, and it’s also very simple to make. Everyone is raving about it, so I’ll definitely try it.
Elmo says
I like to dip my chicken fingers in it, and also my fries. If there is any left (usually not) I also like dipping my human fingers in it! You know what I mean!
Allyson says
I definitely know what you mean, ha!
autigr94 says
Sauce was originally made at Guthrie’s in 1965. Zaxby’s copied the sauce and the premise for the chicken finger only restaurant.
Allyson says
Interesting fact, thanks for sharing!