# wendy's fries. It only took 35 years. WTF took them so long? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 5, 2011, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317 "2011-04-05T21:17:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/41 "2011-04-06T17:38:53Z")
Haven’t been to a Wendy’s in years, but there’s one up the street I guess I’ve driven past long enough. I’m off to test these new fries! I seem to remember liking them before, too. This Frosty thing, is that like a shake? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/42 "2011-04-06T17:51:29Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > This Frosty thing, is that like a shake? Sort of. It’s thicker than a shake, but not nearly as solid as ice cream. Too thick to drink with a straw unless you let it melt for a while; most people eat them with spoons (or a french fry, apparently 🙂 ). ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/43 "2011-04-06T17:54:09Z")
I prefer the old ones. It’s suppose it’s good for me that there’s now almost no place left with fries I actually enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/44 "2011-04-06T18:39:54Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Close; they’re dipped in / coated in a starch, to make them crispier / firmer. BK changed their fries in the late 90s (and made a big deal about it for a few months), after apparently getting a lot of complaints that their fries were limp. It actually tastes like they’re dipped in dishwashing liquid. I stopped going to BK when they changed their fries (a shame, since their burgers were the best at the time). ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/45 "2011-04-06T18:52:29Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > Hmm…Wendy’s fries were good for only one thing: Dipping them in a Frostie. > > If the new fries aren’t good for that (and McDonald’s fries, for example, aren’t so good in this context) then the world has suffered a loss. Eww. Like a couple of other posters here, I don’t get this combination. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/46 "2011-04-06T18:56:36Z")
It’s all about combining the salty and the sweet. I agree it’s the only thing the fries were good for. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/47 "2011-04-06T18:57:20Z")
I don’t like the new ones. Too crunchy. But I’ve posted before about my fry preference and it’s idiosyncratic… I like the floppy greasy ones the best, and the new ones still have the potato skin on them so they are too stiff and crunchy. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/48 "2011-04-06T19:06:28Z")
That’s why I like them. They’re thick, firm, and crispy, perfect for dipping. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/49 "2011-04-06T19:25:23Z")
I believe the old fries were not much more than potatoes peeled + chopped up, without as much of the added coatings to make them stiffer/crispier. When I worked at Wendys and could eat the fries right out of the fryer they were always quite good - better than McDonalds straight out of the fryer. But as another poster said, they got soggy/less tasty very quickly, even under the heat lamp - so the fries, if they were old, could be “hot” and still be bad if they had been out of the fryer too long. And Frosties and fries are super awesome. Also try a half frosty/half rootbeer. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/50 "2011-04-06T20:10:42Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > It’s all about combining the salty and the sweet I can think of nothing more disgusting. Salt and sugar should never be combined. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/51 "2011-04-06T20:16:15Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I can think of nothing more disgusting. Salt and sugar should never be combined. [Seriously](http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/best-chocolate-chip-cookies/Detail.aspx)? > [@](#): > > Ingredients > > ``` > * 1 cup butter, softened > > ``` > > \*\* \* 1 cup white sugar > \* 1 cup packed brown sugar\*\* > \* 2 eggs > \* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract > \* 3 cups all-purpose flour > \* 1 teaspoon baking soda > \* 2 teaspoons hot water > \*\* \* 1/2 teaspoon salt\*\* > \* 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips > \* 1 cup chopped walnuts ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/52 "2011-04-06T20:19:43Z")
So you’re not a fried chicken and waffles fan? Or chocolate Chex Mix? Or sea salt caramels? Which are all other things I never thought should work, but does. And if you’ve never tried it, I’ll accept protestations that it doesn’t sound good (I agree, it doesn’t) but you can’t be saying it _ **isn’t** _ good until you try it. And like I said, I’ve not yet met (though I’m sure they exist) the person who said it would be gross who thought so after trying it. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/53 "2011-04-06T20:27:46Z")
I’m back! I tried the Frosty/fry thing. It’s okay I guess, but I think I’d have to have the late-nite munchies or something to appreciate it. Don’t like the fries much. They’re as edible as anyone else’s fries, but I think I still prefer McD’s & Burger King’s fries. If I want real fries that go limp w/in one minute after leaving the fryer, I’ll go for In-N-Out, but there are none around here. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/54 "2011-04-06T20:35:02Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > So you’re not a fried chicken and waffles fan? Or chocolate Chex Mix? Or sea salt caramels? Which are all other things I never thought should work, but does. > > And if you’ve never tried it, I’ll accept protestations that it doesn’t sound good (I agree, it doesn’t) but you can’t be saying it _ **isn’t** _ good until you try it. And like I said, I’ve not yet met (though I’m sure they exist) the person who said it would be gross who thought so after trying it. I once went out to lunch with several coworkers and we went to Wendy’s. I dipped a fry into my frosty and they all said, “Oh thank god you do it too!” and started dipping their fries into their frosties like it was a secret shame they weren’t ashamed of any longer. Also, for the no salt+sweet people, [isn’t ketchup mostly sugar](http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_ingredients_are_in_heinz_ketchup)? Would you never dip your fries into ketchup? ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/55 "2011-04-06T20:37:06Z")
> [@pbbth](#): > > Also, for the no salt+sweet people, [isn’t ketchup mostly sugar](http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_ingredients_are_in_heinz_ketchup)? Would you never dip your fries into ketchup? Personally, I don’t. Ketchup - especially fast food ketchup - is nasty. I’m not grossed out by the fries + frosty thing but I’m not eager to try it either. It sound a hell of a lot better than I guy I used to know who had to dip his fries in mayonnaise. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/56 "2011-04-06T20:51:24Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I can think of nothing more disgusting. Salt and sugar should never be combined. You don’t like chocolate covered peanuts? Chocolate covered sunflower seeds? ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/57 "2011-04-06T22:35:57Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Personally, I don’t. Ketchup - especially fast food ketchup - is nasty. I’m not grossed out by the fries + frosty thing but I’m not eager to try it either. > > It sound a hell of a lot better than I guy I used to know who had to dip his fries in mayonnaise. I’m always a little baffled when people are unnerved by the fry+mayo thing. I’m not a big fan, but it’s not _bad_. Too greasy for my tastes, and not flavorful enough to justify ratcheting up the calores and fat, but not disgusting by any stretch. A mix of malt vinegar and mayo is much better, but still not worth it in my book. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/58 "2011-04-06T22:44:44Z")
The new fries are better. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/59 "2011-04-07T10:16:44Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > It actually tastes like they’re dipped in dishwashing liquid. I stopped going to BK when they changed their fries (a shame, since their burgers were the best at the time). I loved BK’s burgers. I don’t eat much fast food anymore, but back when I was going to school, at lunchtime I’d sometimes stop at Wendy’s for some fries, and walk a few doors down and buy my burger at Burger King. Some of us used to pile fries on our burgers as well. BK’s fry coating tastes like burnt plastic to me. As for not liking the sweet and salty, I have one suggestion for you, if you’ve never tried it: chocolate-covered pretzels. QUITE tasty. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317/60 "2011-04-08T04:14:37Z")
[QUOTE=RealityChuck] I can think of nothing more disgusting. Salt and sugar should never be combined. [/QUOTE] You don’t like Snickers? They keep tweaking the idea, but they got all four snack food groups into one candy bar there - crunchy, chewy, sweet and salty. Besides, dipping fries into milkshakes goes back to an era before Wendy Thomas was conceived. My mother says she did it as a teenager, (and still does!) and that would be right around 1950. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendys-fries-it-only-took-35-years-wtf-took-them-so-long/577317.md?page=4)