The Best French Fries In The Fast Food Universe, Ranked

You eat flies?

And people say we disgusting.

Shake Shack cheese fries

Mickey D's. Everybody knows this!

Fat Burger steak fries

Mc Donalds is my fave. Also love Jack n the Box curly fries. And Wendys

I have always loved Steak and Shake fries, going back well into the 70s. It was a treat to get such a large plate of them, and they were all extra thin. For whatever reason, Steak and Shake withdrew from our market, so we have to drive a distance just to eat in one.

R4 every time I go to LA I eat at Fat Burger.

The last time I bought their 1.5lb burger. Big mistake.

Their steak fries are to die for and their milkshakes too.

McDonalds sucks. Their fries are always cold, broken in little pieces. Wendy’s are better.

Shake Shack is overrated. Very overpriced for what they offer. Culvers (Midwestern chain) is so much better and (I think) cheaper too.

In-N-Out is massively overrated. Their fries are garbage.

R10 I agree. They aren’t even fries. They taste like plain chips.

And their burgers are meh

R11, yup. I went to LA really excited to try the food and it wasn't even as good as Five Guys. The fries were by far the worst on the list (I haven't tried all of the ones on the list but I've had most of them). You can find many, many places in the Midwest that serve far better burgers and fries than that.

I don't know what shitty neighborhood you live in R8 but my McDonalds always has hot fries. The trick is to go when they're really busy. That way they're making fries and immediately serving them.

R12 I actually find most Midwestern and Southern fast food places, whether chains or local, always taste better. I don’t know why.

I prefer tater tots, thanks

Actually, McDonald’s everywhere outside NYC tastes better. Seriously.

I went to one late in LA and everything was fresh. Florida too. NYC it’s always risky, but that’s all food places.

R14, agreed. Not sure why it is. Well, I guess there's a reason the south and midwest have the highest obesity rates in the country.

Go to Taco Time r15. They sell "mexi-fries" aka salty fried tater tots

Checkers are the absolute best. Back when I lived in Florida, my friend and I would go out whoreing it up at the clubs, drive into a Checkers at 3 am and order a paper order bag full of fries. We were classy.

CFA has the best

What about Nathan's fries? The absolute best!

Even served fresh and hot, McDonald's don't belong on this list.

The best fries I've ever had, are from a carnival local to where I grew up. It's not a food truck, but a brick & mortar concession stand built by the fire company (who owns the fairgrounds) specifically for the purpose of cutting, frying, and serving their fries.

They are still freshly hand-cut and fried. People go to that carnival specifically for the fries, and other food offered by the fire company. They're best served piping hot, with a sprinkle of salt, and malt vinegar. Damn. Now I want those fries.

McDonalds are the best. I think they’ve underrated Del Taco and Jack in the Box’s curly fries. Five Guys fries are garbage. Are they kidding with this? Arby’s? Pthhh. I do want to try Taco Bell’s nacho fries now. In and Out is garbage. Fatburger skinny fries are great and I agree with their high rating of Weinerschnitzel’s. Of course I always get them with chili cheese.

Five Guys seems to me the best of the big chains. I mean they do use “real” potatoes and make the frys on site. Now, their frys could be more crisp, and served with more care, but still way better than the rest of the chains. Most places are just pouring frozen generic “Ore Idas” (from a plastic bag!) into the Fryer. To me, that is not really even a french fry.

There is a Pittsburgh based sandwich chain named “Primantis Brothers” and they also do fresh cut fries. Any time I’m in Pittsburgh or the three rivers area, I go to Primantis or to the O (Original hotdog shop: sadly now gone) for fresh fries.

R22 I think the hand-cut fresh frys tradition is a W. PA/ WV/E. OH thing. The fast food chains mess around with the potatos too much. Fake colors, reconstituted, MacDonalds sprays beef far on their frys, etc. the other day I ate a few BK fries and I could taste sugar or some sweetner IN the french fry. Gross!!!!

I've heard good things about Wendy's new fries and this list bears that out.

[quote]Even served fresh and hot, McDonald's don't belong on this list.

That's some big fuckin' talk R22. I'd fight you to defend my fair McD's honour but instead I think I'll just sit on you

McD’s fries are good, but overrated.

Wendy’s fries are underrated.

Burger King fries are trash and always have been.

I agree that Chick-Fil-A fries are inconsistent.

Popeyes fries are amazing.

In-N-Out shouldn't even be on the list! They are THE WORST! They have never been able to even get their fries somewhat good. Yes, born and raised in SoCal.

Fuck I miss LA. It’s bad. I miss it a lot.

Fat burger is so good. I also love Tommy’s.

Habit Burger

R14, it's because those fat bitches put lard in everything.

And I love them for it.

McDonald's fries are so overrated. They are the epitome of mediocre at best.

I have not tasted all of this stuff but McDonalds was the worst ever I tried and 5 guys the best. The 5 guy burger however, bland as hell. They do not even salt before cooking./

Arby’s popularized curly fries back in the day and they’ve never really been bad, if you like a crispy, well-seasoned fry. I will freely admit that Checkers/Rally’s and Popeyes both took seasoned fries to the next level, though. I release a little semen every time one of those heavenly shafts touches my lips, especially coated in cool celery-forward ranch dressing.

R35 just made me vomit a little.

R22, Yeah, and my Mom's were great, too.

But neither yours nor hers would be considered part of the typically-understood "Fast Food Universe."

Chick-Fil-A — Waffle Fries were the worst I ever had, politics aside. All I ever heard was how great they were. Visited friends in Jersey, and they were seconds away from raw. White and mushy. Since we went thru he drive thru I couldn't return them.

You'd have to go to Belgium for the best fries OP!

Five Guys has best of the bunch, but you have to ask for well done fries

Bojangles

I love Popeyes fries

Oh, R15, you bring it all back to me. I used to love Mexi-fries but there’s only one Taco Time where I live now and their quality is FAR below what I remember from Seattle.

Wendy's new recipe is a big improvement, but the best fries to me are Steak 'n' Shake or its copycat, Freddy's.

Cook Out

Red Robin has great ones as long as they were freshly fried

My go to place is also McDonalds whenever I crave for some french fries. I wonder what make them so good? I know they used to cook them with beef fats but they said they stopped that. Maybe they're just lying.

I like 5 Guys, but I refuse to pay that much extra after I spent so much on a burger

Rejoice, fat whores! Directions for what to try next!

I like McD's fries, but agree they're overrated. I wish they were a little thicker.

I do like the JITB seasoned curly fries.

My memory of Burger King fries is positive, but from a long time ago.

Best fries I had were at the Ritz-Carlton hotel (best Caesar salad as well). I figured out how they made the outside of the fries so good. Before frying, the potato is dredged or shaken in flour.

The fact that In and Out Burger fries are even on here is ridiculous. They taste like cardboard

BK fries used to be decent, but now? Ha! They’re terrible.

R38, waffle fries in general are stupid. I don't want fries in the shape of a waffle, I want NORMAL FRIES, DAMNIT!!!

I like waffle fries. They’re a nice option.

[quote] My go to place is also McDonalds whenever I crave for some french fries. I wonder what make them so good? I know they used to cook them with beef fats but they said they stopped that.

They're fried in 100% pimply teenager urine now.

They lost me when I saw they ranked those bland Chik-fil-A fries as highly as they did.

CFA is the tits lowkey

I love those shoe string fries at Steak and Shake, also love their burgers.

r58 again here, we just got Freddy's here so would like to try them if they are similar to Steak N Shake

Shake Shack fries are just the basic crinkle fries they serve in school cafeterias. You can buy a frozen bag of them at the grocery store. Why would I want to pay extra to buy that at Shake Shack? I’d rather get fries that I can’t easily make at home.

I would have to agree with the article, Five Guys fries are amazing. Plus they give you a FUCK TON of fries when you order them, it's like a whole bag full, overflowing the container.

I would also add Penn Station (Sub restaurant chain, not THE Penn Station). They cut them right in front of you and are made to order, cooked in peanut oil.

Also, I've noticed Arby's Curly Fries and Rally's/Checker's Fries are available in many grocery stores these days in the freezer section. The come out just fine if you bake them in place of deep frying them.

Since they got rid of the saturated fat. None.

McDonalds used to be unbeatable but now they have a weird aftertaste

For me, it's a tie between Nathan's and CFA.

Portillo's Cheese Fries.

The crinklws at Shae Shack and the waffles at CFA are difficult to get crisp and usually awful. Five Guys' franchises are more variable than other chains, but I do like their fries. McDs can vary anywhere--the NYC remark is just stupid. In-n-Out fries are pretty forgettable.

Some places just seem to be the nadir for fries generally, like Atlanta which also is a terrible place for onion rings. If you can get away with something, there seem to be entire markets where this happens.

Shake Shack fries are awesome

..........

5 guys and Shake Shack are the worst.

R64 I thought so too but someone told me that just means the fry oil needs changing? Not sure if it's true but I have noticed they don't *always* have that aftertaste.

Saturated fat r63? Or transfat?

This thread is for FAT WHORES

McDonalds fries still have saturated fat, albeit not a lot

I love Shake Shack fries

Arby's Is Officially Discontinuing Its Potato Cakes

Shame on them, they were the best.

[quote] I love Shake Shack fries

Then just buy a bag of Ore’ Ida crinkle fries.

I go to SS because of their fries. Glad they brought crinkle back

Yes it is R73, and now I'll ask you to leave us in grease-splattered peace to discuss our favourite fried potato preparations.

Frituur No 1 in Antwerp

Bram Ladage in Rotterdam

Frites Atelier in The Hague

Begone Euro scum!!! And take your fucking mayo with you!

(jk I love mayo on fries)

McDonald's fries are absolutely the best when they're hot and fresh! Otherwise it's garbage. Also Arby's and Whataburger is a close second and third respectively. Although it has been a while since I've had any.

We make our own because we don't eat trash.

They're absolutely delicious.

I don’t cook nor eat at your house. Irrelevant

I'd put Whataburger before McDonalds' fries but both are good. I really don't like "seasoned" fries and they should be on a separate list.

True R82, true. It happens quick, too. I'd say less than 10 minutes after coming out of the fryer and McDs fries are no good. Fresh, though? Heaven.

This food guy is high! 5Guys has the worst fries of them all. They steam in the cup and get soggy!

Arby's curly fries are the best by far.

Never heard of Rally's, but their fries look good!

Everyone rags on In N Out fries. Nasty

The only thing that makes INnOUT fries tolerable is if you order them "Well Done" or "Crispy". And even then, they're just alright.

Burger King just sucks.

I just tried the Arby's crinkle cuts. Dee. Lish. Us.

5 Guys is not #1. I don't even think they belong in the top 10. Their fries are too soft and are usually a soggy mess.

McDonald's when served right away are the best--they have it down to a science. But there's only about a 15 minute window before the fries are stale and shitty.

Buffalo Wild Wings has amazing salt and vinegar fries that belong on this list.

Is anyone old enough to remember McDonald's fries when they were cooked the old way?

The only correct answer is the cajun fries from Popeye's.

Since someone brought up an Arby's product (being discontinued) that looks like hash browns ...

McDonald's hash browns are delicious, IMO. One is not enough. I usually order at least two, if not three. However, I rarely eat McDonald's food in the morning.

R93, yes. Not that big a difference. Forgotten by the 2nd or 3rd time you had the new fries.

Bojangles Cajun fries are the very best

The hash brown sticks at Del Taco are really good. The perfect proportion of crispy and soft. I put them inside the Egg and Cheese roller, and with the Enchilada sauce inside, it's yummy.

[quote]The only correct answer is the cajun fries from Popeye's.

Everything Popeye's.has is covered in that shitty cajun spice so the fries don't even stand out.

I love Steak & Shake, but their fries are so thin, if you don't eat them right away they get cold almost immediately.

R71, that's definitely true regarding the frying oil. To make things worse, some restaurants will try to "recycle" their fryer oil by running it through a filtering machine with a powder mix (which is basically just baking soda).

I worked as a line cook back in the 90's and I'm all too familiar with this. On that same note though, buffalo wings are absolutely awesome when a restaurant is super busy. That fryer oil is basically pure chicken fat at that point. They rendered off so much fat we would have to keep periodically emptying out some of it throughout the evening.

Bojangles >Popeyes

R95, absolutely. I also grab an extra hash brown when I hit up McD’s for breakfast. There’s no better way for me to feel like a fat sack of shit from the start of the day though haha.

I had never heard of four or five of the franchises in the top 10.

Five guys fries may be good but they just dump them into a brown bag and by the time you get them home they’re wilted and soggy, so I have zero respect for this ranking.

Léon de Bruxelles

Five Guys fries are what you would get from a local fair/festival. They're not processed, battered, heavily seasoned, etc... Simplicity is key.