# Anybody tried Wendy's new french fries? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [November 11, 2021, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197 "2021-11-11T17:22:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/1 "2021-11-11T17:22:07Z")
I keep seeing commercials for Wendy’s “new hot and crispy” fries and my heart sinks just a little bit. The first thing I think of is when Burger King “improved” their fries many years ago in the same way. I tried them exactly once; they made me think of those potato chips that used to cause anal leakage. I’m not a huge fast food eater but every once in a while I really crave the spicy chicken sandwich. For me, the fries are just as important - maybe more so- than the sandwich so I imagine I’ll be crossing Wendy’s off my list 😒 ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/2 "2021-11-11T17:36:29Z")
I did without realizing beforehand they had changed. Terrible. My first thought was the staff must have messed up the fryers somehow. Later on, I saw the ads and figured out what had happened. I tend only to go once a year or so (also a weakness for the spicy chicken sandwich for some reason), but it’s crossed off the list now. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/3 "2021-11-11T17:54:18Z")
It really is the most first worldy of problems but there are very few foodstuffs that I consider a treat and fries is one of them. I like McDonald’s fries but I don’t like any of their sandwiches and Chick Fil A waffle fries are a big no. Woe is me 😞 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/4 "2021-11-11T17:59:11Z")
KFC recently changed their potato wedges to fries 🤢. I think this will turn out similar. When I first heard it I thought of Subway. Why? you ask. When their footlong sandwiches were found to not be a footlong, they claimed that “footlong” was a trademark, not a measurement. Time will tell if “hot and crispy” is a description or trademark/not reality ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/5 "2021-11-11T18:15:21Z")
It took me fifty years, but I’ve finally come to the conclusion that fast food chains are the last place to look for a good french fry. The best in my town are at a German restaurant. I asked the owner what the secret was and he said “making the customer wait the fifteen minutes it takes to make them.” ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/6 "2021-11-11T18:20:03Z")
I remember when Burger King changed. Like 18-20 years ago right? They’ve been bad ever since. Didn’t Wendy’s used to have more of steak fry shape and consistency a long time ago? ETA: OK, I looked it up. BK changed their fries in 1998 supposedly. That seems too early. I remember something in the 2000s and a big ad campaign about how much better their new fries are. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/7 "2021-11-11T18:26:17Z")
They’re okay. My only gripe is that they don’t pair well with a hamburger. I think a nice cut of steak would go better with these fries with maybe some sour cream to dip them in. Or the fries would be better served in cheesy bacon fries. I much prefer a salty crinkle cut or shoe string with my burgers. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/8 "2021-11-11T18:31:28Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > I asked the owner what the secret was and he said “making the customer wait the fifteen minutes it takes to make them.” Yep, the simple secret is making them from scratch using fresh potatoes. My first job, when I was 14, was busing tables at a Big Boy restaurant. I also helped with food prep, and I remember when the manager bought a device to cut potatoes into fry shapes. We went from buying big bags of frozen pre-cut fries to making our own from fresh potatoes from scratch, and the fries were 1000% better. My mom used to occasionally make homemade french fries from scratch (literal home fries!) and they were freakin’ delicious. I remember wondering as a kid why her fries were so much better than McDonalds, but her hamburgers were so much worse. I think it’s because she bought the cheapest of the cheap hamburger meat. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/9 "2021-11-11T21:58:49Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > …they made me think of those potato chips that used to cause anal leakage. 🤣 🤣 Honey, I have missed you! C’mere and gimme a big ol’ virtual hug! 🤗 Still my favorite screen name. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/10 "2021-11-11T22:15:37Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > I keep seeing commercials for Wendy’s “new hot and crispy” fries and my heart sinks just a little bit. The first thing I think of is when Burger King “improved” their fries many years ago in the same way. They taste like Burger King’s fries to me. If you don’t like Burger King’s, I doubt you’ll like these. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/11 "2021-11-11T22:44:18Z")
From looking it up earlier, apparently Burger King started covering the fries in potato starch before frying. If Wendy’s is doing the same thing, I assume I won’t like them. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/12 "2021-11-11T22:49:16Z")
IDK, home fries have always come out soggy and greasy when I make them. Perhaps I’m not doing it right though. McDonald’s fries are perfection if you can get them properly salted and right out of the fryer. ---
**Author:** ![Tabco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tabco/32/7644_2.png) [@Tabco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabco)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/13 "2021-11-11T22:51:20Z")
I’m thinking it was after 2006. I worked at Burger King from 2004 to 2006 and the fries we served at that time were definitely different from the fries served later on. I didn’t like the new style either. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/14 "2021-11-11T22:57:05Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > IDK, home fries have always come out soggy and greasy when I make them. Perhaps I’m not doing it right though. Yeah, soggy and greasy means your oil’s not hot enough. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/15 "2021-11-11T23:11:23Z")
And fry them twice. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/16 "2021-11-11T23:13:50Z")
I will take any little confirmation I can get that I’m not going insane. Thanks! > [@Tabco](#): > > I’m thinking it was after 2006. I worked at Burger King from 2004 to 2006 and the fries we served at that time were definitely different from the fries served later on. I didn’t like the new style either. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2021, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/17 "2021-11-12T01:02:13Z")
Some discussion about WHY?! this is done from today: > **[r/AskCulinary - Restaurants Changing To Coated French Fries - Why?](https://old.reddit.com/r/AskCulinary/comments/qrbhqq/restaurants_changing_to_coated_french_fries_why/)** > > 388 votes and 85 comments so far on Reddit TLDR: They stay somewhat crispy longer. For carry out and delivery, that’s important. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2021, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/18 "2021-11-12T01:09:34Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > The best in my town are at a German restaurant. Heh. The best in my town are at a Mexican restaurant, of all places. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2021, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/19 "2021-11-12T01:17:01Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > TLDR: They stay somewhat crispy longer. For carry out and delivery, that’s important. Great. They can stay hot and crispy and gross longer. _and such small portions!_ [\woody allen joke] ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2021, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197/20 "2021-11-12T04:44:28Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > TLDR: They stay somewhat crispy longer. For carry out and delivery, that’s important. There was an interesting Planet Money episode about this a couple of years ago. > **[Fries Of The Future : Planet Money](https://www.npr.org/2019/10/23/772775254/episode-946-fries-of-the-future)** > > Fast food delivery is threatening the french fry. So a band of potato scientists go to work. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-wendys-new-french-fries/954197.md?page=2)