While the Golden Arches gets a lot of glory for its secret sauce, Coke, and even ketchup, McDonald’s might be most lauded for its incredibly popular French fries. Despite this, the chain actually finished second in our fast food French fry taste test last year, inspiring us to ask another highly qualified group of experts for their opinion. Want to find out where four top chefs stand on the piping-hot side dish debate?
Ahead, we’re dishing up the qualities that chefs from coast to coast look for in a French fry, and then we’ll reveal their unanimous choice for the best fast food French fry—and the best sauces to dip them in.
Our Panel of Fast Food Fry-Judging Chefs
- Matt Ayala, executive chef at Francois Frankie in Chicago, Illinois
- Elliot Bell, chef-owner of Charlie’s in St. Helena, California
- Dominic Iannarelli, chef-owner of Prime & Providence in West Des Moines, Iowa
- Vivek Surti, founder and owner of Tailor in Nashville, Tennessee
Qualities of the Best Fast Food French Fries
From how thick the potatoes are sliced, to whether they’re “potato only” (or a blend of potatoes with seasonings and preservatives), to the cut (crinkle, waffle, steak, etc.), the fast food French fry landscape is vast and varied.
Admittedly, a fair amount of the choice of which French fry is “best” boils down to personal preference, but bland and soggy fries are out of the running. These three qualities qualify a French fry to be considered the best in fast food:
- Crispiness. “Texture is the biggest quality that I look for in fast food French fries. The best fries are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and seasoned to perfection,” Bell says.
- Seasoning. As our recipe for the Best Potatoes You’ll Ever Taste proves, potatoes are a blank slate for whatever flavors you add, and enough salt is key when it comes to the fried variety.
- Temperature. At his American brasserie, Francois Frankie, Ayala serves fries alongside menu items including a Lobster Roll, Le Cheeseburger Royale, a Prime Steak Burger, and Braised Short Rib Dip. “Even though the fries are secondary, I make sure they are always served hot and crispy to balance the integrity of the entire dish,” Ayala says. Lukewarm or cold fries simply don’t compare. “A lot of people love McDonald’s fries, but if they are cold, they’re a huge letdown,” Ayala adds. For the ultimate experience, fries should be savored hot.
The Best Fast Food French Fries, According to Chefs
With runner-up honors going to both McDonald’s and Rally’s/Checkers, our four chefs unanimously selected Arby’s curly fries as the best fast food French fries…