French fries are the ultimate fast food indulgence. However, not all fries are created equal; some fall flat, others are pure perfection. That’s why we scoured the menus and ranked the 12 best fast food fries that are worthy of your next craving. Let’s dive in!
12. Shake Shack
Shake Shack fries tick all the boxes if you’re looking for the crinkle cut, crispy texture, and a seasoning that’s not overwhelming. The lightly salted ones are a perfect pair to their burgers and shakes, but the cheese fries are on a whole new level. Order the cheese on the side, though, to avoid making your fries soggy!
11. Hardee’s
We love how thick and hearty the fries are at Hardee’s. After all, the chain made a good decision to switch to “natural cut” version, which is thicker and with potato skins intact. On occasion, the fries can be greasy and this could make them less crispy and satisfying.
10. Wendy’s
The fries over at Wendy’s also have a natural cut with skin on, giving them a rustic and more natural feel. That potato skin never fails to add texture and a slightly earthy flavor. Wendy’s fries have definitely improved overtime, as fans on Reddit agree that they used to be soggy, but now they’re somewhat crispy.
9. Burger King
The crispy, golden texture of Burger King’s fries is definitely one of its standout features. While the taste is good enough, they’re certainly not the first thing you would order when you drop by a BK restaurant. But the chicken fries? They’re worth getting with the zesty sauce, and probably a Whopper for a hearty snack or light meal!
8. Five Guys
Five Guys’ hot, fresh, and boardwalk style fries are cooked twice to make them soft on the inside and firm on the outside. They’re also cooked in peanut oil, which gives them a distinct flavor. But that’s not all, because Five Guys also have Cajun style fries, and they definitely don’t skimp on flavor!
7. Arby’s
Who doesn’t love curly fries? Arby’s is one of the few fast food chains offering this style of fries and they do it so well. The fries’ extra surface area gives a texture that’s quite hard to find anywhere else. The seasoning is also on point, best paired with the Hollandaise sauce!
6. KFC
While KFC’s potato wedges are still dearly missed, fans seem to be enjoying the replacement: the Secret Recipe Fries. Similar to the wedges, the fries are coated with a flavorful batter, but the seasoning used is a different blend. According to KFC, it took them 60 years to perfect the fry recipe.
5. Chick-fil-A
Of course, we couldn’t resist adding Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries to this list, mainly because of their cut! That generosity in surface area leads to maximum crispiness and a lot of space for a wide variety of sauces. However, even without a sauce, the waffle fries are nicely salted and have a natural, earthy taste.
4. Popeyes
The chicken shop is also making waves in the fry category. Their fries have a Cajun seasoning blend that tastes unmistakably like Popeyes. When made fresh, the flaky texture makes for a satisfying crunchy bite. Even when they get soggy, the flavor holds up well and the interior of the fries remains soft and creamy.
3. Del Taco
Del Taco’s crinkle cut fries have the makings of excellent fries: crispy, fluffy, and nicely salted. Along with soft tacos, crinkle-cut fries are among the staples at Del Taco. The fact that you can place them inside burritos is a huge plus point. If there’s no one willing to say it, we will: don’t sleep on Del Taco fries!
2. Checkers and Rally’s
Checkers and Rally’s seasoned French fries are so popular you can even find them at your local grocery store. The secret? It’s in the seasoned batter, which is a mix of starches, flours, and 15 different herbs and spices. And let’s not forget those fully loaded fries that come with creamy ranch, gooey cheese, and smoky bacon!
1. McDonald’s
Aren’t you amazed at how McDonald’s fries always have the perfect amount of salt? Well, we are, and we couldn’t get enough of the texture as well. Fans agree that when fresh and hot out of the fryer, they’re simply unmatched. To boost the flavor, the fast food giant uses a beef flavoring in its oil blend.