On a Mission to Find the Best Spuds
Say what you want about fast food joints—they know how to give us what we want, when we want it! Now, a few places are best known for their burgers, others boast the tastiest dipping sauce, but a true fast food spot needs good fries, and unfortunately, only a few of them deliver. Come with us as we explore the best and worst options this side of the drive-thru.
1. In-N-Out
It’s not that we don’t love In-N-Out—far from it, actually. It’s that we don’t love their fries. They’re often bland cardboard strips that don’t come close to the beauty of their burgers. Yes, we know that some people still swear by them, but we just can’t hop on the bandwagon.
2. Dairy Queen
When you think of DQ, you likely think of its iconic ice cream treats, not its fries. We don’t blame you! It doesn’t take more than one sample to realize that they’re often cold and unseasoned. Frankly, they’re lucky to come alongside burger and chicken strips; those savory mains do a lot of the heavy lifting.
3. Shake Shack
These guys are known for their burgers, not their crinkle-cut fries. We love the shape as much as the next guy, and while it’s nice to have a classic side with a classic dish, it’s easy to see why they’ve never garnered the same hype.
4. Bojangles
If we’re being honest, Bojangles isn’t what it used to be—and that includes their fries. What were once piping hot, generously dusted fries are now a pretty lackluster reminder of their former glory. We haven’t given up on them entirely, but they’re not how we remember.
5. Taco Bell
Taco Bell’s already on thin ice with its clientele, and the fries don’t win any votes either. Those supreme platters help a little, but the thing is, they only look good on the menu. Let’s be honest: it’s still Taco Bell, which means they’re hardly worth it in real life.
6. KFC
Oh, you thought Bojangles’ evolution was bad? The colonel used to have tolerable spuds, but the new so-called seasoning tanked what was already up in the air for a lot of customers. Thankfully, you can still request the unseasoned kind, but then you’re left with the bland, everyday side. (Boy, do we miss the potato wedges.)
7. Culver’s
Culver’s crinkle-cut fries are…fine. And that’s not really enough to justify them. While they’re not a skippable side, they also don’t hold a candle to their cheese curds, which are basically everyone else’s go-to. The fries do, however, come with a great ketchup-mayo sauce for dipping.
8. Jack in the Box
This chain comes with two varieties: regular or curly fries. Surely, that choice is enough to win some hungry hearts, right? Well, it really depends on what you order! The regular ones aren’t anything to write home about, but the curly fries actually bring a lot to the table.
9. Whataburger
Lots of people compare Whataburger’s spuds to McDonald’s, but fast-food lovers know the difference: Whataburger’s skinny side doesn’t quite compare. However, that doesn’t mean you’re without options; the onion rings are surprisingly pretty good.
10. Raising Cane’s
Though they’re best known for their chicken strips and sauce, Raising Cane's has decent fries, too. Note that we said “decent,” and nothing more. They’re not top-tier crinkle-cut, especially since they’re a little softer than others, but we won’t judge you for munching on them.
Okay, so if we can’t go to DQ and we can’t trust the colonel, who can we trust? Don’t worry, we’re about to dive into the best options around!
1. Arby’s
Say what you want about Arby’s roast beef (though that’s also delicious)—its curly fries won’t be beat. Sure, they’re loaded with calories, and sure, you might feel bad after eating them, but that doesn’t negate their crispy perfection. We can’t resist ordering a cup every time we nab a sandwich.
2. McDonald’s
They’re world-famous for a reason! Whether you remember them from childhood or grab them with a Big Mac, those perfectly golden fries hit the spot just about every time (location, of course, notwithstanding). What makes them even better is that Ronald brought back the McShaker packets, so there’s really no reason to avoid them now.
3. Popeyes
Alright, we’re just going to say it: chicken sandwiches or spicy tenders aren’t complete without Popeyes’ cajun fries. As delicious as they are, we can admit that other places do it better—and don’t become slimy little worms when they’re cold—but they’re still great when they’re piping hot!
4. Del Taco
Now we’re getting into the good stuff. As far as crinkle-cut goes, these are some of the best around. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, Del Taco managed to lock in the perfect combo. If you’re still on the fence, just remember these guys won USA Today’s Readers’ Choice for the best fast food fries, so you know you’re getting a good side.
5. Checkers
Usually, when fast-food places announce that something is “famous” or the “best,” it’s a red flag. Not with Checkers, though. What makes the seasoned fries a step above the rest is the batter. Other places have sea salt or simple spices, whereas Checkers’ fries have the same batter as the mozza sticks and fried pickles. And yes, you’ll taste it!
6. Chick-fil-A
Honestly, what can’t Chick-fil-A do? On top of its mouthwatering kitchen, this beloved go-to also has some of the best fries in the game. The only downside is that its waffle cut means you won’t get the best bang for your buck. However, that doesn’t remove any of the flavor.
young shanahan from Bratislava, Slovakia on Wikimedia
7. Wendy’s
As much as we love a good Wendy’s burger, one of the best things about this spot is the generous sizes. Mediums are practically large, and don’t even think about an XL unless you’re starving! Incredible servings of golden fries topped with sea salt? Forget about it.
8. Five Guys Cajun Fries
We know Five Guys has traditional fries, but our hearts actually belong to the seasoned ones. Peanut oil? Generous helpings tossed in the bag? Cooked twice with Cajun spice? You literally can’t go wrong, and this place doesn’t.
9. Burger King
For some reason, not everyone enjoys BK’s fries—but we’re here to coax you onto the correct side! These shoestring fries aren’t greasy or coated in salt, making them a tasty side for modest palettes. They’re also thick and crispy, which is pretty much the only thing we want alongside a juicy Whopper.
Aranami from Arvada, CO, US on Wikimedia
10. Portillo’s
This guy’s usually left off of favorites’ lists, but we have to mention Portillo’s. They’re not only crispy, but they’re also nice and slender, which means you almost always get more than you bargained for. Not to mention, let’s be real, once you dunk them in that famous cheddar cheese sauce, the whole thing becomes something special.
