# Best Fries **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 15, 2011, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503 "2011-02-15T22:30:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/41 "2011-02-16T07:48:43Z")
Chick-Fil-A’s waffle fries may be my favorite. Jack-in-the-Box’s “natural cut” fries are pretty good. Every once in a while, Arby’s seasoned curly fries hit the spot. Whataburger fries are nothing special, but they’re consistently good and they get bonus points for the ketchup packets that are made for dipping. Mmmm… fries ---
**Author:** ![Harvey\_The\_Heavy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Harvey\_The\_Heavy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harvey_The_Heavy)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/42 "2011-02-16T13:48:00Z")
Writing in Wienerschnitzel. Them and McDonald’s are the only fries I can eat without putting anything on them. ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/43 "2011-02-16T14:02:44Z")
Five Guys with Cajun seasoning wins, with Chik-Fil-A’s waffle fries as the runner up. Also, voting for any non-large chain in the write-in is cheating IMO. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/44 "2011-02-16T15:07:49Z")
Hmm I voted for Wendy’s without reading the thread. Turns out I haven’t had Wendy’s fries in maybe 10 months, so I didn’t know they were changed. I did vote for Wendy’s previous iteration of fries over McDonalds. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/45 "2011-02-16T16:03:14Z")
I went with Arby’s since I like their curly fries. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/46 "2011-02-16T16:23:43Z")
Assuming they’re relatively fresh out of the fryer, McDonalds wins, hands down for me. The worst (to me) are Burger King—they batter their fries first? Starch on starch is kinda gross, has a terrible texture (slimy and crispy and…rough…for lack of a better word) and the flavor is just weird. They’re gross to the point where I don’t go to Burger King any more\*–the burgers are better but the fries are actually gross. \*Also BK’s disgusting extruded onion-batter fried product. ---
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/47 "2011-02-16T16:29:11Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I had to go with Arby’s. I like their curly fries alongside a Market Fresh BLT. Same here. Their curly fries are my favorite of the ones I’ve had from the list. Second goes to Jack in the Box, dipped in their ranch dressing, or Wendy’s new ones with sea salt. McDonalds fries make me nauseous. McDonalds everything makes me nauseous, actually; I haven’t been in one in about a decade. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/48 "2011-02-16T16:44:44Z")
It doesn’t count as “fries” but Arby’s Potato Cakes are clearly superior to everything else. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/49 "2011-02-16T16:50:13Z")
McDonalds. And IMO, it is because of the salt. Whenever I go to McDonalds, which is rare, I always ask for extra salt. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/50 "2011-02-16T17:13:53Z")
The Original Hot Dog Shop, University of Pittsburgh. Nothing is really good there but the fries, but the fries are great. They serve 30,000 pounds of fries every week. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/51 "2011-02-16T17:20:33Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > A lot depends on how fresh the oil is. Some places don’t change it often enough. The Sonic near me cranks out very good food. There’s a fine line to walk between not changing the oil enough, and changing it too much. A slightly-used oil is ideal…I don’t have the time or knowledge to get into the scientific aspect, but used oil not only imparts some flavor, but it also cooks better. It makes a better “seal,” for lack ofa better work, withthe food, causing it to be crispier and not get as greasy/soggy. A good place will keep some of the old oil when they change it out so even though it’s 90% new, that little 10% adds enough “stuff” to make it good. The other key thing is, as much as possible, avoif frying seafood in the oil for fries. Nothing worse than eating a French fry that tastes like fish…cause fish is nasty. All that being said, I voted Five Guys, though I’ll add the caveat that they need to be cajun style. ---
**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:** [February 16, 2011, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/52 "2011-02-16T17:21:44Z")
> [@fusoya](#): > > My vote goes to Checkers, simply because they’re the only fries I can eat without feeling the need to add anything to them - they’re perfect as served. That’s how I am with fries from [Red Hot & Blue](http://www.redhotandblue.com/), which has a few fast food counters. ---
**Author:** ![KinkiNipponTourist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@KinkiNipponTourist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KinkiNipponTourist)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/53 "2011-02-16T17:31:34Z")
I can’t speak for Burger King in the US, but I’m here to tell you they do a great job with fries here. I came in and happily clicked ol’ BK, then was shocked to find the low numbers and bad rap they have! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/54 "2011-02-16T17:36:15Z")
Arby’s used to have great french fries, but then they went totally to those crappy curly fries, which are an affront to all that is holy. I wrote them a nasty letter about that. ---
**Author:** ![AllShookDown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d9b06d/32.png) [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/55 "2011-02-16T17:38:09Z")
I’ve only ever had the fries at McDonald’s, Burger King & KFC. McDonalds has it over those two. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/56 "2011-02-16T18:32:21Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Five Guys wins this easily. I hate Five Guys. No trays – even if you say “For here!” they give you everything crammed into a paper bag. Just try eating any of it without getting your hands greasy. And practically anybody, even Checker’s, has more welcoming ambience for on-premises consumption. Some peanuts on the table don’t help there, dudes! ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/57 "2011-02-16T18:51:42Z")
I had to do a write-in, even though I quite like Wendy’s. Whataburger is the only place I’ve ever ordered two large fries from, because the taste is just that much better than the calorie guilt. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/58 "2011-02-16T20:52:33Z")
I know it’s rather pedestrian of me but I voted for McDonalds in my mind before I even read the other choices. Even at a slightly lower quality than they were years ago, they’re still my favorite. Not that I ever met a french fry I didn’t like (except for Burger King. Do not want.) ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/59 "2011-02-16T21:19:15Z")
5 Guys cajun fries are the top but I decided to vote on “nothing added to the fries” so I went other and pick Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503/60 "2011-02-16T21:38:25Z")
I haven’t tried the new Wendy’s fries but the older version was by far the best fry of the mainstream choices. The larger fry has more potato flavor versus the small fry which is mostly fried. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fries/571503.md?page=4)