Fast food french fries are the ultimate side dish we all love to grab. They come in many shapes and flavors and everyone has a personal favorite. I tasted the most popular options out there to see how they truly stack up. Here is a simple ranking of these famous fries from the least impressive to the absolute best.
In-N-Out Burger Fries Are Served Fresh
The people at this popular chain pride themselves on cutting fresh potatoes right in the store but that actually makes them a bit too soft. They are always a little limp unless you ask for them well done so they sit at the bottom of my list.
Shake Shack Fries Have an Oil Problem
These fries have a great crinkle cut and look super crispy but they just taste like old cooking grease. That heavy oil flavor completely ruins the potato experience for me and makes them really hard to finish.
Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. Serve Natural Cut Fries
They changed their classic fries to a thicker natural cut version with the potato skins still left on the outside. This update was supposed to make them feel like a premium restaurant side but they just ended up being less crispy.
Taco Bell Nacho Fries Bring the Spice
This taco spot offers a really fun side of fries coated in a savory and cheesy seasoning blend that people go crazy for. They are definitely tasty but the cheesy flavor does not really scratch that classic salty french fry itch when you crave it.
Arby’s Curly Fries Offer Fun Textures
You get bonus points when you serve curly shapes because they have extra edges that get nice and crunchy in the fryer. I think the seasoning blend is a bit strange though because it leaves a funny coating on your tongue after you eat them.
Burger King Classic Fries Are Just Fine
There is absolutely nothing wrong with these classic potato sticks because they have decent salt and a good enough crunch. I would never be upset to eat them but I am also not driving out of my way just to order a batch.
Wendy’s Delivers a Solid Skin-on Fry
Fries that still have the skin on them are usually cut too thick and end up way too soft on the inside. These ones are definitely not perfect but they are the best skin-on option you can find at a normal drive-thru window.
Five Guys Boardwalk Fries Bring Heavy Portions
They fry these in peanut oil and dump a massive extra scoop right into your paper bag so you never leave hungry. The flavor is good but they are super heavy and greasy so you might feel a little tired after finishing a whole cup.
Chick-fil-A Waffle Fries Hold Sauces Perfectly
The waffle shape is a big debate for some people but it leaves so much room to scoop up your favorite dipping sauces. They always have the right amount of salt and actually taste like real potatoes instead of just tasting like the fryer oil.
Raising Cane’s Crinkle Cut Fries Hit Hard
Since this chicken spot has a very small menu they really have to make sure their side items are cooked perfectly every single time. They are always served hot and they taste absolutely amazing when you dunk them into a big cup of their famous sauce.
Del Taco Serves Amazing Crinkle Cut Fries
You might not expect a taco place to have good fries but these are unbelievably fluffy on the inside and crispy outside. They have a really clean taste without any old oil flavors so they easily beat out most of the giant burger chains.
McDonald’s Golden Arches Bring Classic Crunch
It is totally impossible to make a list like this without putting these famous crunchy and salty potatoes right near the top. They are cut to the perfect size and they stay delightfully fluffy inside while keeping that signature crunch we all grew up eating.
Checkers and Rally’s Take the Top Spot
This is my absolute favorite choice because the fries are beer battered and coated in a super savory spice blend that bursts with flavor. They are so crispy and satisfying that you can even buy them in the grocery store freezer aisle but getting them fresh is a total game changer.
Related Posts
