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The Best Fast Food French Fries

Arby’s

Arby's curly fries
Arby’s curly fries

Arby’s entrance in the fry-fray are these instantly recognizable curly fries. They sport some fairly assertive seasoning too, roughly a mix of onion powder, garlic powder and paprika by our estimation. The fun twirly shape makes for one of the most interesting textured fries on this list.

Arby’s

Arby's Crinkle Cut Fries
Arby’s Crinkle Cut Fries

March 2021 saw Arby’s update their fry offering to also include these crinkle cut fries. These are some of the better crinkles out there by our estimation. A nice crisp, not too mushy, and a fluffy interior.

Burger King

Burger King - fries
Burger King – fries

BK’s fries are a middle of the road affair, neither thin nor thick. No particular special features like curls, twists, or extra batter. Sometimes though, when you want to focus all your attention on your burger, the simpler approach can be better.

Del Taco

Del Taco crinkle cut fries
Del Taco crinkle cut fries

The popular Mexican restaurant offers up a crinkle cut fry. The fries tend to be on the soggier/mushier side in my experience, but there’s definitely an X factor about them. Sometime you just crave that big, dense potato flavor, and aren’t really craving an overly crisp fry.

McDonald’s

Mcdonald's French Fries
Mcdonald’s French Fries

These skinny fries from the Golden Arches are arguably iconic at this point. If you manage to catch a fresh batch from the fryer they can be legendary. There’s something special about this very thin style of fry, lots of sizzling crisp exterior and a minimal amount of fluffy potato inside.

KFC

KFC Secret Recipe Fries plated
KFC Secret Recipe Fries plated

In 2020 the colonel ditched potato wedges and instead launched these Secret Recipe Fries. The fries are larger with an exterior coating. Sadly we found the fries heavy and stodgy and somewhat of a chore to work through. You can read our full review here (including the secret secret poutine fries!).

Popeye’s

Popeye's Cajun Fries
Popeye’s Cajun Fries

Popeye’s Cajun Fries have a mild level of spice from a little dash of cayenne at our guess. We’re sure theres some garlic and onion powder in Popeye’s secret Cajun seasoning too – but whatever it is, we’re fans. The fries have a slight battered/thicker finish to their exterior, but the interior potato taste still shines through.

Wendy’s

Wendy's Skin On Fries
Wendy’s Skin On Fries

Wendy’s offers a slightly skinnier fry, with the notable highlight being the ‘skin on’ approach. The rough potato skin finish lends an earthy flavor to every other fry or so.

Shake Shack

Shake Shack - Crinkle Cut fries
Shake Shack – Crinkle Cut fries

The ‘Shack offer a bright yellow crinkle cut style fry that’s relatively salty – a good thing by us. The fries are a little on the chalky side though and many write that the fries are probably the least enjoyable item at the popular chain. In 2021 the brand dropped a new Korean-inspired sauce to go along with the fries. Read more here.

Smashburger

Smashburger Smashfries
Smashburger Smashfries

Smashburger have a number of fry options, including sweet potato fries. The best and most popular though are surely Smashfries, a skinny fry in the mold of McDonald’s classic, but finished uniquely with olive oil, garlic and rosemary.

Zaxby’s

Zaxby's Crinkle Cut Fries
Zaxby’s Crinkle Cut Fries

Another company that offers crinkle cuts is this popular chicken chain. Zaxby’s fries are quite heavily seasoned with their own proprietary blend which makes them VERY moreish – no doubt that comes from a little use of MSG in the mix. The fries are on the fatter side and are quite soft and fluffy on the interior.