# Why are McDonald's french fries so tasty? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 24, 2009, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291 "2009-02-24T23:02:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![cgg419](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cgg419/32/2847_2.png) [@cgg419](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cgg419)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/41 "2009-02-25T14:36:46Z")
> [@riker1384](#): > > My favorite fast-food fries are the waffle fries from Chick-fil-A. I’ve only had them once, when I was in Baltimore last Aug, but they were really good. Do you happen to know what the dipping sauce that comes with them is made from though? That stuff was awesome 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/42 "2009-02-25T15:23:08Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Forgot two more great ones – Nathan’s large, crinkle-cut fries and Mr. B’s (local place – used to be a chain, but I only know of one still open) tater tots. Ah, I was going to mention that crinkle-cut is my favorite style. Shoetring is too thin and steak is too big and mealy, but crinkle-cut is just right. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/43 "2009-02-25T15:32:55Z")
I used to be a fan of McD’s fries to the exclusion of all other fast food fries. Having moved to the Carolinas, however, I have seen the light. I am a sweet potato fry convert. My husband, a former Wendy’s fry fan, agrees. You just haven’t lived until you’ve had sweet potato fries. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/44 "2009-02-25T15:45:11Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Forgot two more great ones – Nathan’s large, crinkle-cut fries Thank you for saving me the typing. A few months ago, Bruster’s (local ice cream chain) started putting Nathan’s menus into some of their newer stores (at least here in the Cincinnati area). Not coincidentally, I’ve recently put on weight due to those damned, tasty fries. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/45 "2009-02-25T16:29:28Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > (Calling in from left field) > > If you’re old enough to remember when McDs used a different oil… > > _and_ you recognize how that oil made a difference… > > Poke around your grocery store until you find Coconut oil. Go home and make popcorn. _Real_ popcorn. > > You’re welcome. > > (strolling back out to left field) When our favorite bar closed (O’Dells in Palatine) my husband and I were given their [hot dog steamer](http://www.fun4allevents.com/images/hotdog.jpg) and their [popcorn machine.](http://okcfunzone.com/Portals/0/FZ_GamePics/Popcorn%20Machine.jpg) When we started hanging out at John’s Pub, we’d bring the popcorn maker up there for football season and for NASCAR season. We would pick up the [Flavacol](http://www.popcornsupply.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=18531) seasoning salt, and the [Naks Pak Kits](http://www.popcornsupply.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=18562). The kits use coconut oil - it is, along with the seasoning salt, what MAKES popcorn. Seriously. People at the bar were asking where to buy it (GFS) so they could make the kits at home (use a big pot). So can I join ya in left field? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/46 "2009-02-25T17:28:33Z")
Fatburger does some pretty damned good fries- I am a Skinny Fries girl, but their Fat Fries (steak fries) are very good too. And the burger is to die for- add a real ice cream shake, and I’m in heaven. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/47 "2009-02-25T23:25:50Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > So how did McDonalds get the fries to not taste like someone poured toasted coconut on them? My sister-in-law bought this crap claiming it’s healthy or something, and made pancakes for my husband and I, greasing the pan with it. Yuck. Coconut has its time and place, and that wasn’t it. Oh my … pancakes. Interesting. Ish. Coconut oil is what old timey theaters used up until it got branded as an evil oil or some such. Also, a lot of theaters have been buying pre-popped corn and … and … and I don’t know, selling it along with some other satanic trinkets. Anyway, if you remember the smell of “movie popcorn” (or faire, or pub) from the eighties and earlier, making a batch with coconut oil will send you into nostalgic and culinary bliss. Pancakes, not so much (unless you come from a long line of theater owners, and that’s what you’re used to). **Missy2U** wow, that’s a mighty fine site! ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/48 "2009-02-26T00:34:10Z")
I am in the minority but I think Burger King has much better fries. McDonalds fries are OK but if you let them sit more than 5 minutes they are almost inedible. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/49 "2009-02-26T00:42:46Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > (Calling in from left field) > > If you’re old enough to remember when McDs used a different oil… > > _and_ you recognize how that oil made a difference… > > Poke around your grocery store until you find Coconut oil. Go home and make popcorn. _Real_ popcorn. > > You’re welcome. > > (strolling back out to left field) Werd. [fistbump] ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/50 "2009-02-26T00:45:08Z")
McDonald’s fries are frozen-and puting frozen potatoes into hot grease is NOT the way to frie FFs. I find thm to be greasy and tasteless. There i nothing like fries made from fresh potatoes-and slathered in malt vinegar! ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/51 "2009-02-26T00:48:46Z")
Wendy’s is the place I’ll stop just to get an order of fries and nothing else. BK & McD’s are good, and a toss-up. I’d love to try sweet potato fries. I hate, hate, hate, the way most people serve sweet potatoes, adding something sugary all over it. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/52 "2009-02-26T02:48:38Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > My main criterion for what makes a good fry is that it does not require a condiment. A condiment (such as ketchup or malt vinegar) may heighten the experience, but is not necessary. My second main criterion is that it does not require another food item. Just McDonald’s fries and Coca-Cola, thanks. I will eat old fashioned fries with a hot dog or sandwich at a diner, though. But those fries usually cannot stand alone. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/53 "2009-02-26T07:28:22Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Oh my … pancakes. Interesting. Ish. > > Coconut oil is what old timey theaters used up until it got branded as an evil oil or some such. Also, a lot of theaters have been buying pre-popped corn and … and … and I don’t know, selling it along with some other satanic trinkets. Anyway, if you remember the smell of “movie popcorn” (or faire, or pub) from the eighties and earlier, making a batch with coconut oil will send you into nostalgic and culinary bliss. Pancakes, not so much (unless you come from a long line of theater owners, and that’s what you’re used to). > > **Missy2U** wow, that’s a mighty fine site! To continue the hijack… If you love movie theatre popcorn and you don’t want to buy an expensive machine, let me introduce you to the magic of [the Whirley Pop](http://www.popcornpopper.com/) popcorn machine (a hand-cranked, stove-top pot that’s incredibly low-tech but holy cow does it work perfectly – seriously, every kernal will pop in about 3 minutes) and with it the [Real Time Popcorn packs](http://www.popcornpopper.com/popcorn-pouches.html), which consist of excellent popcorn, coconut oil, and flavored salt. Absolutely sinful. Absolutely perfect. Everything in moderation, of course, but if you’re having a movie party or something like that, this popcorn is definitely a must-have. More on topic, I must add that I’ve never met a _style_ of french fry that I don’t like. Krinkle cut, shoestrong, steak fries, frites, curly… I mean, they’re potatoes. They’re fried. What more can you want? ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/54 "2009-02-26T17:19:36Z")
Oh, I second Arby’s curly fries. Good good good. Though Five Guys does do great straights, too. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/55 "2009-02-26T19:50:35Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > I used to be a fan of McD’s fries to the exclusion of all other fast food fries. Having moved to the Carolinas, however, I have seen the light. I am a sweet potato fry convert. My husband, a former Wendy’s fry fan, agrees. > > You just haven’t lived until you’ve had sweet potato fries. I’m on board with the sweet potato fries, too - they have to have a mayonnaise-based dipping sauce, though - ketchup doesn’t cut it with the sweet taters (garlic mayo or something savoury like that). ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/56 "2009-02-26T20:47:56Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Really? Their ingredients list is less than explicit about that - it says it has natural beef flavoring. This is flagged with a “wheat and milk derivatives” note but that’s typically listed for allergen purposes rather than to convince anyone of the vegan nature of the food. I can’t find anything by Googling that says they went vegan on the fries except for the ones in India after the lawsuit over the hidden real-beef flavor. Seriously, if they have switched to a vegetarian recipe, **I MUST KNOW**. Anyone able to confirm? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/57 "2009-02-26T21:06:10Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > Seriously, if they have switched to a vegetarian recipe, **I MUST KNOW**. Anyone able to confirm? Oh, it’s definitely true. [Here is the announcement.](http://www.vegparadise.com/news51.html) [spoiler]Okay, just kidding. Actually, I think the original deal was McD’s announced they no longer use beef fat, which made all those hungry Hindu’s very happy. What McD’s neglected to mention is they still use beef “essence” for flavor purposes, which made for some very upset Hindu tummies. And lawsuits. So no, I don’t think their fries are truly veggie. I think you have to actually go to India to get veggie fries.[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/58 "2009-02-26T22:33:55Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > Seriously, if they have switched to a vegetarian recipe, **I MUST KNOW**. Anyone able to confirm? Well, they are fairly cagey on this. [http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/ingredientslist.pdf](http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/ingredientslist.pdf) French Fries French Fries: Potatoes, vegetable oil (canola oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor [wheat and milk derivatives]\*), citric acid (preservative), dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain color), salt. Prepared in vegetable oil ((may contain one of the following: Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness), dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent). \* CONTAINS: WHEAT AND MILK _(Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients)._ (Italics mine.) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/59 "2009-02-26T22:50:38Z")
Ah, here we go: [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/05/25/national/main293420.shtml](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/05/25/national/main293420.shtml) \*According to the most recent updated version of the Code of Federal Regulations, “the term natural flavor or natural flavoring means the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.” McDonald’s asserts it makes adjustments to its ingredients to satisfy local customs and religious practices in some of the 120 countries in which it does business. “For example, in predominantly Muslim countries — as in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa — McDonald’s strictly conforms to Halal standards,” a release by the chain says. “This means no use of beef or pork flavorings or ingredients in our French fries.” Note this was 2001. “In India, where vegetarian concerns are paramount, no beef or pork flavorings are used in our vegetarian menu items,” the statement adds. \* ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291/60 "2009-02-27T01:06:43Z")
someone I know claims that McDonalds salt is “saltier” than any other salt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mcdonalds-french-fries-so-tasty/487291.md?page=4)