# Why Do Fast Food Restaurants Put Fries on Top of Napkins **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 13, 2017, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853 "2017-06-13T11:38:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/21 "2017-06-13T12:44:02Z")
Never mind that. The point is: yes, I am able to counter the grease. But why would they do this in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/22 "2017-06-13T13:16:15Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Never mind that. The point is: yes, I am able to counter the grease. But why would they do this in the first place? Your question was answered. It’s so fried aren’t falling directly on the tray. Get some more napkins out of the dispenser if you don’t want to use those. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/23 "2017-06-13T13:25:52Z")
Here in Pennsylvania McDonalds napkins are FREE!!! ---
**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:** [June 13, 2017, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/24 "2017-06-13T13:55:51Z")
I don’t believe I ever encountered what the OP is referring to. Actually, I thought he meant when you use the drive-through, which wouldn’t make any sense either. What fillets my fish is that they put the sandwich underneath the fries and when I have to pull it out to make sure they made it correctly fries fall out of the container. The struggle is real, people. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/25 "2017-06-13T14:31:52Z")
There’s usually some old ketchup solidifying on the floor of my 74 Pinto, so fries falling out of the bag aren’t a problem. Just dip and munch. It’s not eating out of the dumpster! SeeWhatIDidThere? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/26 "2017-06-13T15:20:06Z")
Ex-Fast food worker here. We do that because that is what most customers want. Putting the fires to spill out onto the liner makes them come into contact with that liner, and cause the grease in them to spread further across the tray. This also allows the fries to cool down more rapidly. Many people also do not view that paper liner as a sanitary surface, as it has been exposed to the “elements” for at least an hour or so since the trays were lined. Finally, the napkins have a bit more friction to them than the liner does, so it reduces the amount the fry carton will shuffle about on your tray as you carry it to the table, decreasing the number of fries spilt. Putting the fries on top of a napkin prevents the spread of the grease, keeps the fries warm, increases the perception of cleanliness, and costs very little to implement. There have been times on the day before truck comes that we have been low on napkins, and we tried getting away without doing this, and got many complaints about that. This is the very first time I have ever heard anyone complaining about having the napkin there. I am sure that if you ask, they will be happy to save their napkin, and not put it under your fries when they put them on the tray, but I think that you will be unhappy with the results, and quickly realize the reason for the napkin. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/27 "2017-06-13T16:09:43Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Many people also do not view that paper liner as a sanitary surface, as it has been exposed to the “elements” for at least an hour or so since the trays were lined. Not to mention the bottom of the tray stacked above it… ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/28 "2017-06-13T16:13:22Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Not to mention the bottom of the tray stacked above it… Ayup, that too. In theory, there is a gap between the trays, but a gob of congealed ketchup or other fun stuck debris could well be sitting there making contact with the liner. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/29 "2017-06-13T17:12:35Z")
FWIW, old school French fine dining served asparagus and truffles (not together) on napkins. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/30 "2017-06-13T18:22:32Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Putting the fires to spill out onto the liner makes them come into contact with that liner, and cause the grease in them to spread further across the tray. This also allows the fries to cool down more rapidly. This is one of the most frightening typos possible. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/31 "2017-06-13T18:35:30Z")
> [@Evan\_Drake](#): > > This is one of the most frightening typos possible. I didn’t even notice till you pointed it out. “Would you like fires with that?” “Huh? Argggghhhh!” ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/32 "2017-06-13T19:13:53Z")
I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that they actually give you napkins and you don’t have to get them yourself when dining in. I’ve rarely had that happen. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/33 "2017-06-13T19:25:06Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that they actually give you napkins and you don’t have to get them yourself when dining in. I’ve rarely had that happen. Yeah, this. I thought I remembered having to get my own napkins when I ate in McDonald’s—but it’s certainly possible I’m remembering wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/34 "2017-06-13T20:10:17Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that they actually give you napkins and you don’t have to get them yourself when dining in. I’ve rarely had that happen. I’m beginning to wonder if our definition of “napkin” is not universal. In many fast-food places (not McDonalds), they serve fries in a basket, lined with (not a napkin, to my thinking), but some kind of smooth paper. It’s not plastic, not waxed, it doesn’t prevent grease from soaking through, and it wouldn’t be suitable for wiping a face, IMHO. It’s a little like butcher or deli paper – a little absorbent, a little protecting, but not good for much of anything after a few minutes or at most, hours of use. I always assumed it was to soak up some grease which could not be completely drained otherwise before serving. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/35 "2017-06-13T20:39:33Z")
It’s not about that lining. It’s about what they’re sitting on top of on your tray. The OP is describing fries (in their container) being set on top of a napkin [like so](https://thumb7.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/168430/168430,1208995520,1/stock-photo-fast-food-take-out-meal-of-french-fries-on-paper-napkin-11942833.jpg) to avoid them coming into direct contact with the tray or tray liner [like](https://berkscountyeats.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/mcdonalds-chicken-selects.jpg) [so](http://newlaunches.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mcdonalds-fry-defender.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/36 "2017-06-13T22:41:24Z")
I wonder if this is a regional thing. I’ve never seen napkins-on-fries in Minnesota or nearby states. If you want napkins, you get your own after the food is already on the tray. McDonald’s is so regimented you’d think this would be a corporate protocol if it was required. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/37 "2017-06-13T22:47:02Z")
> [@JohnGalt](#): > > I wonder if this is a regional thing. I’ve never seen napkins-on-fries in Minnesota or nearby states. If you want napkins, you get your own after the food is already on the tray. McDonald’s is so regimented you’d think this would be a corporate protocol if it was required. I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen it ever. That’s what the paper tray cover is for. And yes, one always just gets their own napkins. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/38 "2017-06-14T00:11:16Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > It’s not about that lining. It’s about what they’re sitting on top of on your tray. > > The OP is describing fries (in their container) being set on top of a napkin [like so](https://thumb7.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/168430/168430,1208995520,1/stock-photo-fast-food-take-out-meal-of-french-fries-on-paper-napkin-11942833.jpg)… Never saw that. If I had, I’d probably say, WTF? ---
**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:** [June 14, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/39 "2017-06-14T00:22:49Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Never saw that. If I had, I’d probably say, WTF? I have a feeling I’ve seen this before, as I understood what the OP was talking about, but it’s certainly not a common sight, in my experience. As said before, normally, we have to go get our own damned napkins. I just tried to google image search “mcdonalds meal yelp” to find user photos of McDonalds meals, but I couldn’t find a single one with the fries on the napkin. I tried the same with “Wendys meals yelp” and “Burger King meals yelp” and all I could find is the meals on a tray with the tray liner, no napkin under the fries. I mean, yes, it’s possible that in all the photos they’ve taken out the napkins for whatever reason, but that seems unlikely to me. (And I did find two pictures with the burger box on the napkin.) ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fast-food-restaurants-put-fries-on-top-of-napkins/788853/40 "2017-06-14T00:26:36Z")
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