Shake Shack Tops Blind Taste Test of Chain Cheese Sauces, Wendy's Finishes Last A taste test of chain restaurant cheese sauces ranks Wendy's worst for its sharp, acidic flavor, Taco Bell mid for its peppery kick, and a cheesesteak chain best. A blind taste test of cheese sauces from several national fast-food chains ranked Shake Shack first and Wendy's last. The evaluation, conducted by a food writer, judged each sauce on thickness, cheesiness, balance of flavors, and versatility. The results reveal a wide gap in quality among chain restaurant cheese sauces. The taster sampled each cheese sauce plain on a spoon rather than with a tasting vehicle. This approach accounted for the fact that some sauces are designed for chips, while others are meant for pretzels, fries, or baked potatoes. Every sauce tested had cheese sauce in its name, and eligible chains needed at least 450 locations across a minimum of 35 states.Wendy's Cheddar Cheese Sauce finished last. It is available only on the chain's fries and baked potatoes, not as a standalone side. From the moment the package was opened, it had a sharp, almost acidic smell. Its taste was equally pungent, with a flavor that more closely resembled molten plastic than food.Wendy's sauce was one of the thickest sampled, but its stiffness was a drawback. It did not jiggle when the taster gave it a jostle in its container. The sauce was nearly broken, with oily deposits interspersed with almost matte patches of congealed cheese. It also had the most vibrant neon-orange hue of any sauce tested, winning that contest by a wide margin.The taster noted that Wendy's Cheddar Cheese Sauce could be a nostalgic pick for some. However, with so many fresher-tasting and more flavorful options available, the taster could not imagine reaching for it again.Arby's Cheddar Cheese Sauce finished near the bottom, just above Wendy's. It immediately scored points for its luscious texture. When the cup was opened, the sauce looked like something out of a commercial. It is available as an a la carte side but is more traditionally served on the chain's iconic Beef 'n Cheddar sandwich.Looks proved deceiving, as Arby's fell short in flavor. Just like Wendy's, its sauce had a sharp, acidic flavor that in no way resembled its advertised cheddar cheese. Its texture was smooth and velvety, but the taster saw no point in wasting such a dreamy texture on a sauce that was otherwise difficult to stomach.For consistency, the taster tried all the sauces completely plain. The Arby's sauce might work on one of the chain's roast beef sandwiches. If the accompanying food has enough fatty and savory flavor to counteract the acidic cheese, that would help. But for a cheese sauce that does not need to hide behind other flavors, the taster suggested looking elsewhere.Taco Bell's Nacho Cheese Sauce was the first sauce deemed actually tasty and the first the taster would order again. It can be ordered as an a la carte side for dipping and drizzling over nachos, tacos, and burritos. It packs a craveable peppery flavor unlike any other chain restaurant cheese sauce tested.The secret, according to the chain's ingredient statements, is jalapeno puree. That adds a hint of heat without compromising the creamy texture. It still has the slightest plasticky and artificial flavor noticed in the lower-ranking sauces, but the bold seasoning distracts from that offense.Taco Bell failed to rank higher because it is not as versatile as other cheese sauces on the list. Its stronger, more distinct flavor limits what the taster would want to dunk in it besides tortilla chips or a Chalupa. It would need to be more universal to earn a higher ranking.Charleys Cheesesteaks claimed fourth place. It makes sense that a chain specializing in Philadelphia-style cheesesteak sandwiches would have one of the better cheese sauces in the game. The Cheese Sauce from Charleys is salty and mild, almost akin to a thicker melted butter. It is also available a la carte.The taster could see it complementing a variety of entrees and side dishes. It could easily be the focal point as a dip for french fries or chips, or the supporting character on one of Charleys' many sandwiches. However, it did not make top-two territory because it is simply not that cheesy.Part of the reason the sauce pairs so well with so many bites is that it does not bring much to the table itself. The taster said it would be irresponsible to let Charleys Cheesesteaks climb higher on account of its flavor.Auntie Anne's took third place with its Cheese Dip. The taster was initially skeptical of a shelf-stable, foil-sealed cup competing with steaming-hot cups of cheese sauce from other chains. The answer turned out to be very well. Auntie Anne's strikes a balance of flavors that so many other chains seemingly struggled with.It has a sharp, cheddary flavor that does not lean acidic or plasticky. Its smooth, creamy finish makes it taste homemade despite coming factory-sealed. The taster could see it working with the chain's famous Pretzel Dogs and was game to eat it with a spoon.The taster was so impressed with Auntie Anne's Cheese Dip that they would genuinely recommend having sealed cups on hand and using them on other chains' fare. Its flavor, while distinct, is mild and buttery enough to complement plenty of chain-restaurant staples, including french fries, burgers, and fried chicken.Shake Shack claimed the top spot. Its Cheese Sauce is in a league of its own as the only sauce on the list with the flavor of real cheese. Its consistency, like that of a velvety bechamel, forms a warm blanket on anything it is poured over.There is a reason Shake Shack's Cheese Sauce tastes so good. In 2020, Shake Shack Culinary Director Mike Rosati released the sauce recipe in a video shared on X. Its ingredient list includes both American and cheddar cheeses, as well as real sliced white onions, heavy cream, jalapeno, white wine vinegar, and peppercorns. The result is as well-balanced and fresh-tasting as anything from a home kitchen.The sauce's undeniable versatility adds to its impressiveness. Although the taster tried it plain for the blind test, they had previously enjoyed it atop the chain's fries, Chicken Bites, and ShackBurgers, and it improved everything it touched. For those seeking a neon-orange sauce with nostalgic artificial flavors, this might not be the one. But for anyone concerned with which chain makes the best cheese sauce, the answer is Shake Shack.