# Which do you eat first: the burger or the fries? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [April 29, 2021, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042 "2021-04-29T16:02:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/41 "2021-04-29T23:08:22Z")
I almost never get fries anymore. My body just doesn’t need a burger and fries. But back when I did, I can’t think of a time I’ve ever eaten the fries first. I might have a bite of a couple, then dig into the burger, have a couple with the burger, but the vast majority get eaten after I finish my burger. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/42 "2021-04-30T02:09:50Z")
I don’t eat burgers, so I refuse to dignify your impertinent question with a serious answer. Or… if I substitute burger for “whatever else, I dunno, chicken maybe?” then it’s combination. A little of this, a little of that. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/43 "2021-04-30T02:11:05Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Something completely else. I’ll eat two or three fries, then usually at least half or even all of my burger before I eat any more fries. I won’t eat many fries at all until I finish the burger and decide how many of them I want to eat myself Less your bit about feeding dogs, the above is exactly me. A taste of carbs, then eat the burger _sans_ bun, then top off with a couple more fries and that course of the meal is done. With a side order of this: > [@Acsenray](#): > > If I have a good burger and fries in front of me, nothing is going to be “sitting for a while” before they are all gone. Subject to the quibble that fries don’t get “all gone.” I’ll be done with all I’m going to eat lickety-split, but that’ll still leave 80% of the fries sitting there. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/44 "2021-04-30T03:05:30Z")
Well depends on the place. I never finish Five Guys fries because they give you too many. Shake Shack gives you a more reasonable amount. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/45 "2021-04-30T03:22:17Z")
Any meal that has separate items is eaten going back and forth between them. I can’t think of anything I’ve ever had where I’d finish all of one thing and then start on the other. That just seems weird to me. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/46 "2021-04-30T07:27:15Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I can’t think of anything I’ve ever had where I’d finish all of one thing and then start on the other. That just seems weird to me. The way I see it, either you’re mixing your foods, or you aren’t. If you’re mixing your food, great - put it all in bowl and stir it together, or stuff it all in a sandwich. It you aren’t, that means every item should have its own distinct flavor. So you either drink some water and then wait to clean your palette between each bite, or you make your job easier by eating one food at a time. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/47 "2021-04-30T11:26:55Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The way I see it, either you’re mixing your foods, or you aren’t. If you’re mixing your food, great - put it all in bowl and stir it together, or stuff it all in a sandwich. It you aren’t, that means every item should have its own distinct flavor. So you either drink some water and then wait to clean your palette between each bite, or you make your job easier by eating one food at a time. That’s … a point of view. I guess. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/48 "2021-04-30T11:58:14Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I almost never get fries anymore. I’ve taken up your slack. We almost never do fast food, but since I bought an air fryer I find myself making fries very often. Often enough that my gf might be tempted to say something (which she won’t because, hey, I’m making dinner). ---
**Author:** ![tavaritz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71e660/32.png) [@tavaritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavaritz)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/49 "2021-04-30T13:34:34Z")
I never order fries. But when they are served to me I eat them first to savor the rest more. They take the edge of hunger and I can then linger more on the rest. ---
**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:** [April 30, 2021, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/50 "2021-04-30T13:57:13Z")
Whether driving home with takeout or having it served to me, I always eat at least one fry first. Even though it’s a side, to _me_ the fries are the main event. After that I eat them equally until I start to feel full. At that point, I’ll give up on the burger and eat a few more fries. I’ve often had fries with no burger / sandwich, but I have no interest in a burger if there are no fries (or at least, potato chips). ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/51 "2021-04-30T14:20:56Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Any meal consisting of multiple items all served together, I eat a bit of each thing, alternating until I make all gone. 😉 Well, yeah. I never understood why anyone would eat any other way. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/52 "2021-04-30T17:26:28Z")
🤨 I don’t eat everything at the _literal_ same time. I’ll have a bit of one thing, then a bite of another. I’ve never had trouble tasting whatever it is. It is nothing like putting everything together into a blender, that is a bizarre interpretation. That seems to be how most people I see eat meals. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/53 "2021-04-30T17:52:06Z")
…In retrospect, I also may have a spot of undiagnosed OCD. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/54 "2021-04-30T19:33:16Z")
Could be, could be … ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/55 "2021-04-30T20:19:03Z")
Fries get cold faster than burgers. I eat 'em up quick. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/56 "2021-05-01T15:50:02Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > …In retrospect, I also may have a spot of undiagnosed OCD. You aren’t alone. I too am in the “eat things one at a time” camp; I usually start with sides and end at protein though. It was always a source of gentle ribbing, as I even turn my plate to put whatever portion I’m eating to the front as I work my way around! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/57 "2021-05-01T16:01:03Z")
I voted “depends on” but > [@TriPolar](#): > > Something completely else. I’ll eat two or three fries, then usually at least half or even all of my burger before I eat any more fries. I won’t eat many fries at all until I finish the burger and decide how many of them I want to eat myself and how many of them the dogs get to eat this is what I usually do. I nibble on some hot fries, then I eat my burger, then if I’m still hungry I’ll eat more fries. But if the fries are really good, I may eat a bunch of them first. ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/58 "2021-05-02T02:47:13Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I don’t eat everything at the _literal_ same time. I’ll have a bit of one thing, then a bite of another. I’ve never had trouble tasting whatever it is. It is nothing like putting everything together into a blender, that is a bizarre interpretation. > > That seems to be how most people I see eat meals. The Japanese call this “triangular eating,” and it’s supposed to ensure you get a balanced meal (that you eat your veggies, in other words). Not that this really applies to a burger and fries. I alternate my burger and fries, generally having some cold fries left at the end. If they are good fries I don’t mind them being cold. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/59 "2021-05-02T05:44:16Z")
For the record, just because I eat fries first doesn’t mean that’s how I would eat a plate of food. In that case, it’s much more even, though I will more often favor a food I really enjoy. It really is for me that fries get too cold too fast. I’m eating huge clumps of them at a time. All that surface area gets them cold faster, I presume. I have had fries that don’t deteriorate in flavor and quality so quickly (even sometimes tasting good full on cold), but, as I said, I’m basically stuck with McDonald’s now. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-eat-first-the-burger-or-the-fries/941042/60 "2021-05-02T06:09:10Z")
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