Does Zaxby’s Have Shrimp? A Guide to Their Fried Shrimp Offerings

Zaxby’s is beloved for their mouthwatering chicken fingers and wings. But does the popular fast casual chain also offer shrimp on their menu? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Zaxby’s fried shrimp offerings.

An Overview of Zaxby’s

For the uninitiated, Zaxby’s is a fast casual restaurant chain based in the American South Founded in 1990 in Georgia, they are known for serving delicious chicken fingers, wings, sandwiches, salads, and sides.

With over 900 locations across 17 states, Zaxby’s has earned a cult following for their signature spicy, crispy fried chicken and friendly service. Their menu celebrates Southern comfort foods and flavors.

Does Zaxby’s Have Shrimp?

Traditionally, Zaxby’s has been focused on serving high-quality chicken items rather than seafood or shrimp. Their menu centers around breaded and sauced chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches, and more.

However, Zaxby’s does occasionally offer limited-time shrimp offerings to give their guests more variety. Here are some of the shrimp dishes Zaxby’s has featured on their menu:

• Southern Fried Shrimp Plate – Available for a limited time in 2021, this meal included fried shrimp with Zax sauce for dipping, crinkle fries, coleslaw and a piece of Texas toast.

• Blackened Shrimp Salad – Also introduced as a limited offer in 2021, this salad featured blackened shrimp on a bed of mixed greens with tomatoes, egg, bacon, and cheddar jack cheese.

• Shrimp Salad Sandwich – Another seasonal shrimp dish, this sandwich had fried shrimp, lettuce, tomatoes and Zax sauce on a toasted hoagie roll.

So while shrimp is not a permanent staple on their menu, Zaxby’s does occasionally debut new shrimp entrees and sandwiches to spice things up. They offer a nice change of pace for customers craving something other than chicken.

Zaxby’s Southern Fried Shrimp Plate

One of the most popular shrimp dishes Zaxby’s has served is the Southern Fried Shrimp Plate meal. It was available for a limited time in 2021.

This meal included an ample portion of dippable fried shrimp along with Zaxby’s signature crinkle cut fries, creamy coleslaw, and a piece of Texas toast. The shrimp was coated in a light and crispy seasoned breading then fried until golden brown.

The star of the plate was the jumbo butterfly shrimp, which were juicy and flavorful on the inside with a perfectly crispy crunch on the outside. They paired deliciously with the cool, creamy coleslaw and Zaxby’s iconic Zax Sauce for dipping.

The Southern Fried Shrimp Plate was met with enthusiasm from Zaxby’s fans excited to try something new from the chicken chain. It provided the classic flavors of a seafood platter in Zaxby’s signature style.

Zaxby’s Blackened Shrimp Salad

In addition to fried shrimp offerings, Zaxby’s has also incorporated grilled shrimp into some salads, such as the Blackened Shrimp Salad introduced in 2021.

This entree salad featured colorful mixed greens and vegetables topped with spicy blackened shrimp. It came with 5 grilled blackened shrimp seasoned with Cajun spices and seared to perfection along with cherry tomatoes, bacon crumbles, shredded cheddar jack cheese, carrots, and a hard boiled egg.

The salad was served with a choice of dressing, either Creamy Cajun ranch or Zax Sauce. This allowed guests to add even more bold flavor to the salad.

By combining fresh greens and veggies with blackened shrimp and smoky bacon, this salad captured iconic Southern and Cajun flavors. It proved that Zaxby’s can offer tasty lighter fare along with their signature fried foods.

Why Shrimp is a Good Menu Option for Zaxby’s

There are several strategic reasons why offering limited shrimp dishes makes good business sense for Zaxby’s:

• Increased Variety – While Zaxby’s has a loyal following who love their chicken, shrimp dishes help retain guests who want to change things up with a lighter protein option.

• Seasonal Interest – By making shrimp plates and sandwiches limited-time offers, they create excitement and urgency around trying these specials before they’re gone.

• Regional Appeal – Shrimp is extremely popular in the American South, so Zaxby’s is smart to offer dishes showcasing this favorite regional ingredient.

• Trendiness – As consumers seek out healthier protein choices like shrimp, Zaxby’s stays relevant by keeping up with dining trends.

Even though their core identity is fried chicken, incorporating seafood like shrimp allows Zaxby’s to capitalize on shifting consumer preferences and broaden their customer base.

Are Shrimp Dishes Permanent Menu Items?

While extremely popular, the shrimp offerings at Zaxby’s have so far only been temporary additions to their core menu lineup. They are brought back periodically as limited-time offers rather than permanent options.

The chain seems to strategically introduce 1-2 new shrimp dishes each year to create buzz and excitement around what seasonal seafood special will be served up next.

Zaxby’s likely does this to retain focus on chicken as their hero protein and staple menu item. Keeping shrimp as a limited item prevents overcomplicating operations in their kitchens as well.

But fans hoping to see shrimp become a permanent fixture on the menu shouldn’t lose hope. If these limited shrimp offerings continue performing well, Zaxby’s may eventually add a shrimp entree or two to their regular menu.

How to Order Zaxby’s Fried Shrimp Meals

Since Zaxby’s shrimp dishes come and go, the only way to try them is to visit Zaxby’s during the promotional period. The good news is fried shrimp meals are usually available for an extended window of at least a couple months.

Check the Zaxby’s website or app to see if breaded or blackened shrimp entrees are currently being offered. You can order shrimp plates or sandwiches for dine-in, drive-thru, or online ordering where available.

Be sure to take advantage soon after new shrimp specials launch, as they tend to attract long lines during peak times. You may want to call your local Zaxby’s to confirm shrimp menu availability before making the trip.

Is Shrimp at Zaxby’s Gluten Free?

For guests avoiding gluten, the grilled blackened shrimp offerings from Zaxby’s make good gluten free entrees when paired with sides like coleslaw and fries. The shrimp is not breaded and doesn’t directly contact gluten ingredients.

However, the fried shrimp is battered in a wheat flour breading, so it does contain gluten. Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity may want to opt for one of the grilled shrimp salads rather than the fried shrimp plates.

Of course, the preparation procedures in Zaxby’s kitchens involve shared surfaces and oils. So there is always a small risk of cross contact. Guests with severe gluten allergies may want to exercise caution when ordering.

Why You Should Try Shrimp at Zaxby’s

If you see shrimp on the menu during your next visit, take the opportunity to order it! Here’s why trying Zaxby’s limited-edition shrimp dishes is a great idea:

• It’s a nice change of pace from the usual chicken meals.
• The shrimp is coated in their signature seasoned breading and fried to crispy perfection.
• It’s a chance to enjoy flavors like blackened Cajun seasoning.
• The flavorful dipping sauces pair so well with shrimp.
• It mixes up your Zaxby’s order if you’re a frequent customer.
• The portion size and pricing offer good value compared to other shrimp meals.

The next time shrimp is featured on the Zaxby’s menu, gather your friends and host a tasting party. Fried shrimp, shrimp po’boys, and shrimp salads offer tasty new ways to enjoy Zaxby’s trademark flavors and hospitality.

Zaxby’s Offers More Than Just Chicken

With crave-worthy chicken fingers and wings as their staple, Zaxby’s has built a devoted fan base across the South. But they continue to surprise and delight guests by showcasing new menu items like limited-edition fried and grilled shrimp plates.

Keep an eye out for shrimp specials to enjoy a nice change of pace along with Zaxby’s signature seasoned fries and dipping sauces. Their occasional shrimp dishes prove that Zaxby’s knows how to fry up seafood just as skillfully as they do chicken.

So while chicken may be their claim to fame, it’s not the only delicious protein you can savor at Zaxby’s. Watch their menu closely for your next opportunity to indulge in mouthwatering shrimp offerings from this iconic Southern chain.