Of all the polarizing food opinions out there, there’s one that nearly every American can agree on: Burgers and french fries are a match made in heaven. It’s impossible to fathom a time when people would eat a burger without the perfectly fried, golden, crispy side that is french fries, especially because the dynamic duo is ubiquitous at fast food chains across the country. It’s even more unfathomable that french fries aren’t an American invention, nor are they a French one—we have Belgium to thank for the crispy goodness of french fries, and how thankful are we for such a satisfying food.
Now, if you’re anything like us, you know that french fries can make or break a meal. We’ve all been there, making that crucial decision about which drive-thru to roll up to based solely on the quality of their fries. Even places like Taco Bell and KFC, which don’t necessarily *need* fries on their menu, are putting in the work to keep up with the competition, and honestly, they’re surprisingly great contenders in their own right.
So, why are fries such a prevalent and beloved staple in fast food? Well, for starters, potatoes are inexpensive, making them a cost-effective side dish when diced up and fried. More importantly, they’re addicting as heck! There’s a science to it: when potatoes hit that hot oil, the sugars and amino acids undergo the Maillard reaction, giving them that distinct color and craveable texture. It’s no secret we’re fry fanatics here, and after last year’s massive ranking, we’re back to top it, re-tasting everything—including all those glorious cheese fries—and re-ranking it all. Here’s how they stacked up, from the ones that left us wanting more to those that truly changed our lives.
1. **Raising Cane’s—Crinkle Cut Fries**: I am extremely blessed to make a living eating fast food, I get that, but here I am ranking my fifth variation on the crinkle-cut fries and I won’t lie to you, it’s starting to wear on me. I love French fries, but crinkle-cut fries make me question my feelings. The reason I’m ranking Raising Cane’s at twenty-six is because while they have a bright and buttery flavor, they ultimately lack any perceptible crunch. And a soggy fry is always a sad fry.
Yes, dipping them in Cane’s Sauce will make the experience of eating them much more enjoyable, giving the fries a buttery and deep savory dimension. If they were crispier, I might actually go as far as saying these fries are good. But alas, they aren’t crispy. Ever. Because of that, you’re going to want to eat these fries as soon as you get your food; do not let them sit in Raising Cane’s plastic clamshell food container for more than a few seconds or they will get soggy and sweaty.
The bottom line here is clear: despite a promising flavor, the soggy texture ultimately ruins the experience of eating these fries. Unless, of course, you’re one of those rare souls who genuinely enjoys a limp fry. For the rest of us, make sure that Cane’s Sauce is on standby, and be prepared to eat them at lightning speed!
2. **Dog Haus—French Fries**: Don’t let that tempting product photo fool you when it comes to Dog Haus’ fries. While they might *look* delicious, the reality is that these fries are, unfortunately, boring and underseasoned. We appreciate the natural skin-on preparation, as it typically gives fries a lovely, earthy depth of flavor.
However, aside from that earthy hint, these fries are completely bland. They almost taste like those reduced-salt potato chips—a flavor profile that doesn’t exactly scream “craveable fast food fry.” It’s a missed opportunity, given the potential of a skin-on fry.
Luckily, Dog Haus offers some fantastic alternatives on their menu, like Tots and Sweet Potato Fries. And while we’ve made our stance clear on tots (not fans!), we highly recommend you do yourself a favor and order the sweet potato fries instead. These regular fries simply require too much sauce intervention to be truly enjoyable.
3. **Arby’s—Curly Fries**: Alright, folks, we’re finally entering the ‘good’ section of this ranking, and what better way to kick it off than with Arby’s iconic Curly Fries. These are, without a doubt, a classic for a reason. They offer a delightful mix of garlic and black pepper flavors, with a gentle hint of onion that beautifully presents itself in the aftertaste.
There’s just something inherently fun about a curly fry, isn’t there? The spiral shape promises a consistent crispiness, though we’ve found that sometimes, these do tend to be over-fried. When that happens, all you can taste is the seasoning, with the underlying potato flavor taking a backseat. Still, even then, they manage to be quite palatable.
The bottom line: Arby’s Curly Fries are good, but perhaps not truly great. If you’re a fan of this specific flavor profile, it’s worth noting that some other fast-food chains, like Jack in the Box and Popeyes, arguably execute this style a bit better. Nevertheless, a perfectly spiraled Arby’s curly fry is always a welcome sight.
4. **Wendy’s—Baconator Fries**: Now, here’s an interesting twist on the Wendy’s fry situation. The Baconator Fries are, without a doubt, a significant improvement over the chain’s regular fries. The simple addition of melted cheese and smokey bacon instantly elevates the entire dish, transforming it from mediocre to at least, well, edible and much more flavorful.
A forkful of these will treat your taste buds to a complex mix of smoky, sweet, and salty flavors. However, be warned: they can also deliver an overwhelming amount of salt. There’s also this off-putting bitter flavor that can sometimes creep in, and due to being packaged in a plastic container with a lid, they tend to get a bit soggy.
Despite these drawbacks, we’d still take these over Wendy’s regular fries any day of the week. The bacon and cheese do a lot of heavy lifting here, making up for the underlying fries shortcomings. The bottom line: While a definite step up, these are still the weakest cheese fries you’ll find in the fast food universe. There’s room for improvement, but at least they’re trying!
5. **In-N-Out—French Fries**: Let’s address the elephant in the room regarding In-N-Out French fries. We just won’t stand for the common negativity! If you’ve got a problem with potatoes that are peeled and cut on-site, fried to order, and then gently seasoned with just the right amount of salt and black pepper, then honestly, the problem isn’t the fries, buddy, it’s you. This is fresh potato love, right here!
Now, we won’t sit here and pretend like these fries are always perfect. They’re not. Sometimes, especially when In-N-Out is slammed, the potatoes might end up thrown into an overworked fryer and pulled a few seconds too late. This can unfortunately result in overcooked fries that lack flavor and have an awful, unappealing texture.
But, and this is a big *but*, during certain times of day, when they hit that sweet spot, these French fries are straight-up delicious. Because of that inconsistency, it wouldn’t be right to rank these fries any higher. But despite the haters, they taste way better than they typically get credit for, and we’d easily choose these over most of the big chains out there any day.
Now, as we round the corner into the second half of our ultimate fast food french fry ranking, prepare yourselves. We’re moving beyond the merely palatable and diving headfirst into the truly exceptional—those golden, crispy marvels that don’t just accompany a meal, but elevate it entirely. These are the contenders that prove a truly great fry can change your life, or at least your next drive-thru experience. Get ready to discover the unique flavors and undeniable reasons why these fries deserve a spot on your next order, cementing their place as the best of the best in the fast-food universe.
6. **Portillo’s—French Fries**: While some places serve crinkle-cut fries that are short and thick, Portillo’s takes a different, winning approach. Their crinkle-cut fries are remarkably long and thin, a characteristic that truly works to the chain’s significant advantage. The result? These fries are consistently crispy, offering that satisfying crunch with every single bite, and they are always perfectly salted, hitting that ideal savory note. You simply can’t go wrong ordering these alongside one of their famous chili cheese dogs or a classic Italian beef sandwich.
But here’s where Portillo’s truly pulls ahead in the fry game: the cheese sauce. Seriously, the real magic happens when you dive into these with their liquid gold. Portillo’s has genuinely perfected the art of the cheese sauce, crafting a rich, creamy topping that pairs absolutely brilliantly with the crispy-but-not-too-crispy texture of their crinkle-cut fries. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that’s hard to beat.
Long story short: these fries are fantastic all on their own, standing tall as a prime example of a well-executed fast-food fry. However, when it comes to fast-food cheese fries, with that impeccable cheese sauce, Portillo’s undoubtedly claims the crown. If you haven’t experienced them, you’re truly missing out on a top-tier fry experience.
7. **Burger King—French Fries**: For those who appreciate the classics, Burger King’s fries have remained a steadfast and reliable choice over the years. If you’re seeking a consistently good batch of standard, natural-cut fries, then you can always count on this popular chain to deliver. There’s a comforting familiarity in their consistency, making them a go-to for many fry enthusiasts.
What truly sets Burger King’s fries apart is their masterful execution of the ideal textural balance. Each fry achieves that perfect harmony of being delightfully pillowy and soft on the inside while simultaneously boasting a satisfyingly crisp exterior. This makes them a truly ideal companion to a classic Whopper, complementing the burger without overpowering it.
If you’re a purist and aren’t looking to switch things up from the tried and true, then sticking with Burger King will definitely curb your fry cravings. However, for those seeking the absolute peak of Burger King’s fry offerings, many argue that their chicken fries are where the real money’s at. But hey, why choose when you can simply enjoy both?
8. **Chick-fil-A—Waffle Fries**: Chick-fil-A boldly ventures where few other chains dare to tread, embracing the waffle fry route with admirable conviction. Indeed, Chick-fil-A stands as one of only a handful of restaurants on this list to serve waffle fries, a choice that, for some, might initially raise a red flag. Yet, for anyone who has had the pleasure of enjoying Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries, the consensus is clear: they are pretty darn good.
These waffle fries consistently hit the mark, delivering a delightful experience that’s warm and soft on the inside while maintaining a perfectly nice and crispy exterior. The unique waffle shape isn’t just for show; it cleverly works to ensure an incredibly even level of crispiness, meaning that each and every bite you take will be as consistently tasty and satisfying as the last.
The only real minor drawback, if one can even call it that, is the slight awkwardness of their shape. This can sometimes make the simple act of dunking one into a sauce packet a bit of a strategic maneuver. But honestly, it’s a small price to pay for such a delightful and well-crafted fry experience.
9. **Five Guys — Cajun Fries**: Prepare yourself, because Five Guys Cajun fries have a remarkable ability to completely steal the show, often overshadowing their acclaimed burgers themselves. And with just one taste, it becomes abundantly clear why this is the case. These natural-cut fries are cooked to absolute perfection in high-quality peanut oil, then meticulously seasoned to an impeccable standard with just the right amount of bold Cajun seasoning.
To further elevate the experience, it’s virtually unheard of for anyone to complain that Five Guys has shorted them on fries. Quite the opposite, in fact; these golden beauties are piled high into an unsuspecting white cup, and a single order of Five Guys fries is often more than enough to satiate even the biggest of appetites. But, just to ensure you’re truly satisfied, the attentive workers at Five Guys will often generously dump even more fries into the bottom of your brown bag.
And with fries that are this flavorful, boasting such a satisfying crunch and spicy kick, rest assured, no one is ever going to complain about having too many. It’s a generous serving of pure, unadulterated fry bliss that keeps you coming back for more.
10. **Arby’s—Curly Fries**: It truly makes one wonder why more fast-food restaurants don’t incorporate curly fries into their menus. Perhaps they simply don’t bother because they instinctively know that any attempt at curly fries won’t stand a chance against the truly iconic status of Arby’s legendary curly fries—and, frankly, they’d be absolutely correct in that assessment. What, after all, isn’t there to utterly love about Arby’s curly fries?
They are consistently seasoned and crispy, delivering that signature spiral shape that’s both fun to eat and satisfyingly crunchy. What’s even more impressive is their resilience: even if you happen to get a batch that’s a little on the soggy side, they somehow still manage to taste remarkably good, a testament to their inherent deliciousness. There is truly no greater joy than finding a perfectly springy spiral in one’s packet of Arby’s fries, unwinding it with delight before taking that first bite.
For all these reasons, and the sheer, unadulterated pleasure they consistently provide, Arby’s curly fries effortlessly earn their well-deserved spot among the top three on this illustrious list. They are a cut above, quite literally.
11. **McDonald’s—French Fries**: Even those who seldom indulge in fast food could likely predict that McDonald’s fries would land pretty high on any definitive ranking. Securing a coveted No. 2 position on this list, McDonald’s fries are arguably as iconic—if not more so—than anything else found on their extensive menu. They’ve transcended mere side dish status to become a global phenomenon, instantly recognizable and deeply beloved.
These fries are celebrated for being thin and wonderfully crispy, delivering that signature snap with every bite. And as long as they are served fresh and hot, pulled directly from the fryer, they are undeniably pretty darn good fries, perfectly seasoned and satisfyingly golden. Indeed, no Big Mac experience would truly be complete without that essential side of McDonald’s fries, and they more than hold their own against such an imposing and popular entree, completing the quintessential fast-food meal.
In the vast, salty, and wonderfully crispy universe of fast food fries, our journey has taken us through a spectrum of textures and tastes, from the surprisingly forgettable to the utterly unforgettable. What stands clear is that a truly great fry isn’t just about the potato; it’s about the precision of the cut, the quality of the oil, the perfection of the seasoning, and that magical crunch that makes you reach for just one more. Whether you prefer the classic shoestring, the playful curly, or the sturdy waffle, there’s a perfect fry out there to complement every meal and satisfy every craving. So, the next time that irresistible fry craving hits, consider this your ultimate guide to finding your own golden, crispy heaven. Happy eating, fry fanatics!
