View Full Version : The French Fry Thread


IceTrojan
Apr 16, 07, 10:11 pm
Crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Not too fat, not too skinny, and NOT soggy. Crinkle cut fries can be fun; never really like curly fries.

Belgian fries are the best (especially with mayo dipping sauce, as per my previous mayo thread :))

Best fast food fry is still McD's... which I have with sweet n' sour sauce.

Ever put your fries in your burger?

And if you dip your fries in a milkshake, I will look at you weird.

Sweet Willie
Apr 16, 07, 10:27 pm
Belgian fries are the best (especially with mayo dipping sauce, as per my previous mayo thread :))

maybe not the best but for sure damn tasty !^

Curly and seasoned fries suck :td:

--

civicmon
Apr 16, 07, 10:28 pm
best french fries are found in the middle of a California burrito :cool:

cblaisd
Apr 16, 07, 10:42 pm
...Best fast food fry is still McD's

Agree. Even Consumer Reports thinks so! But they have to be right out of the fryer.

But in the not-quite-fast food category In-N-Out Burger fries are a thing of beauty.

IceTrojan
Apr 16, 07, 11:03 pm
But in the not-quite-fast food category In-N-Out Burger fries are a thing of beauty.

I have to order those well-done... the regular kind don't do it for me.

How do you make a fry even worse for you? Fry it again! :D

And yes, I forgot about the fry-in-burrito trick. Muy delicioso! How about carne asada fries? ^

redbeard911
Apr 17, 07, 9:14 am
But in the not-quite-fast food category In-N-Out Burger fries are a thing of beauty.^ ^ I also like Chik-fil-A waffle cuts.

stevechin
Apr 17, 07, 11:28 am
There's a small SoCal chain called The Hat that has "wet" fries. They're fries smothered in brown gravy. Kinda like mashed potatoes and gravy. I love 'em! ^


Steve :D

kaukau
Apr 17, 07, 11:57 am
The best french fries you will ever eat in your life are twice cooked puffed fries, called pommes soufflee. They are incredibly tricky to prepare, though I watched Paul Bocuse cook them, and he made it look like child's play, natch.

When served, the fries have "puffed" to 4 times their original size, becoming light, airy little pillows of potato heaven.

Here's a link to the recipe and back-story:

http://www.foodreference.com/html/pom-souf-21507.html

phillygold
Apr 17, 07, 12:16 pm
Absolutely best use for a french fry: http://www.primantibros.com
For those not familiar with this Pittsburgh institution, it is meat (steak, turkey,tuna etc), plus fried egg, plus cole slaw, plus tomato, plus french fries served on Italian bread. Messy....and incredibly delicious.

SixString
Apr 17, 07, 1:38 pm
There's a small SoCal chain called The Hat that has "wet" fries. They're fries smothered in brown gravy. Kinda like mashed potatoes and gravy. I love 'em! ^


Steve :D

That almost sounds like Poutine, except without the cheese curds.

And I'm sure it won't be long until someone from Canada mentions it.

jimcfsus
Apr 17, 07, 3:03 pm
Absolutely best use for a french fry: http://www.primantibros.com
For those not familiar with this Pittsburgh institution, it is meat (steak, turkey,tuna etc), plus fried egg, plus cole slaw, plus tomato, plus french fries served on Italian bread. Messy....and incredibly delicious.

Their beer battered colossal fish sandwich is the best!! It's like getting a Buffalo Fish Fry in a sandwich. ^ ^

Justme123456
Apr 17, 07, 3:24 pm
That almost sounds like Poutine, except without the cheese curds.

And I'm sure it won't be long until someone from Canada mentions it.

http://www.salisburyhouse.ca/ has been famous for its fries with gravy. Did I chime in on time?

bankingconsultant
Apr 17, 07, 7:36 pm
Absolutely best use for a french fry: http://www.primantibros.com
For those not familiar with this Pittsburgh institution, it is meat (steak, turkey,tuna etc), plus fried egg, plus cole slaw, plus tomato, plus french fries served on Italian bread. Messy....and incredibly delicious.

Have to agree with this one, but for me this particular use is a close second. Might have to make a stop in Oakland before I head to the airport on Thursday.

For me, the best fries are those which melt the cheese on top of my steak/chicken salad before I cool them down with oil and vinegar. Could be another 'Burgh-related dish. I know when I lived in the South people looked at me like I was nuts when I asked for fries on my salad.

obscure2k
Apr 17, 07, 8:41 pm
The best french fries in the entire world can be found at Reddi-Chick, at the Brentwood Country Mart. I don't know if it is the seasoning salt; they just make perfect fries. Chicken basket is pretty good too.
http://brentwoodcountrymart.com/food/food_reddi.php

cyberdad
Apr 17, 07, 9:30 pm
I don't know if they'd qualify as "fries" exactly, but the puffed potatoes they used to serve at Arnaud's in New Orleans were beyond awsome. I'm also not sure, for that matter, what they called these marvelous creations.

Best "actual" fries in the U.S.? That's a tough one, but for now, I'll go with Sea and Suds....crinkle cut fries....in Gulf Shores, AL. (Sea and Suds also gets my vote for best gumbo on the planet).

To make a broad statement, I think the fries in Europe....or at least the UK (chips)...tend to be better than here in North America. I think that's because IMHO, the potatoes are a bit more flavorful over there.

kaukau
Apr 17, 07, 9:34 pm
I don't know if they'd qualify as "fries" exactly, but the puffed potatoes they used to serve at Arnaud's in New Orleans were beyond awsome. I'm also not sure, for that matter, what they called these marvelous creations.

And here's the link to the recipe, from post #8 in this thread:

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7596041&postcount=8

CrazyOne
Apr 17, 07, 9:35 pm
For me, the best fries are those which melt the cheese on top of my steak/chicken salad before I cool them down with oil and vinegar. Could be another 'Burgh-related dish. I know when I lived in the South people looked at me like I was nuts when I asked for fries on my salad.

I'd say it's a Burgh thing, steak salad with fries. Don't really know how common that is elsewhere, but it doesn't seem to be. Doing the same thing with grilled chicken or other stuff instead of steak is a more recent variant.

IceTrojan
Apr 22, 07, 5:28 pm
You Pittsburgers are an interesting lot... but fries on salad do sound tasty!

The best french fries in the entire world can be found at Reddi-Chick, at the Brentwood Country Mart. I don't know if it is the seasoning salt; they just make perfect fries. Chicken basket is pretty good too.
http://brentwoodcountrymart.com/food/food_reddi.php

Thanks for the tip... always glad to hear of new places to try in SoCal.

rufflesinc
Apr 22, 07, 5:31 pm
Best fast food fry is still McD's... which I have with sweet n' sour sauce.seems more and more franchises are charging for sauces if you don't buy any nuggets (and even then limit the number strictly) :(

IceTrojan
Apr 22, 07, 5:40 pm
seems more and more franchises are charging for sauces if you don't buy any nuggets (and even then limit the number strictly) :(
Yes, a very disappointing trend. I mean, 25c for a sauce packet? Or you only get 1 for a six-piece? And now they're smaller! Are they losing that much money on them? Or perhaps a sign that the golden era of McD is over. I just bypass those locations... there are plenty of McDs around here.

ludocdoc
Apr 22, 07, 5:43 pm
Best fries I've had: Pommes Frites. 123 2Nd Ave, Manhatten. First dipping sauce (40 choices) is free. It's almost worth the 4 hour dive and the parking down there.

Hands down.

Day to day, It's surely MickeyDs. ChicFilA a close second on a good day.

ijkh
Apr 22, 07, 6:23 pm
Paley's Place restaurant in NW Portland. They are elegant and fabulous. Don't miss them in the city of roses next


http://www.paleysplace.net

rufflesinc
Apr 22, 07, 7:56 pm
Yes, a very disappointing trend. I mean, 25c for a sauce packet? Or you only get 1 for a six-piece? And now they're smaller! Are they losing that much money on them? Or perhaps a sign that the golden era of McD is over. I just bypass those locations... there are plenty of McDs around here.the honey mustard ones are larger than BBQ and S&S, i get those when quantity is limited :cool: . unfortunately im in a college town; both the one on campus and the one right off campus most convient to me have limited quantites :( .

oddly enough, they don't seem to have limits on ketchup packets ...

work2fly
Apr 22, 07, 7:56 pm
Absolutely best use for a french fry: http://www.primantibros.com
For those not familiar with this Pittsburgh institution, it is meat (steak, turkey,tuna etc), plus fried egg, plus cole slaw, plus tomato, plus french fries served on Italian bread. Messy....and incredibly delicious.

Ohio has its version at Panini's.

Bacon, ham, egg, cheese grilled up and served with french fries and cole slaw on thickly sliced soft italian bread.

The world's best beer sponge ^

cme2c
Apr 22, 07, 8:04 pm
Best fries around here are from Runza.

HiJanIsHere
Apr 24, 07, 8:29 pm
I'm the antithesis of a fry snob -- I will eat just about anything that is passed off as a fry. I have even become more than a little hooked (as has our whole family) on the frozen Alexia Sweet Potato Juliennes. Actually, all of the brands of Alexia fries are tasty.

LOVE the pommes frites places in NYC, too. I'd eat them three meals a day if I lived there. Oink, oink!

empedocles
Apr 24, 07, 8:45 pm
The best are pommes frites.

For fast food, I prefer Whataburger or Wendy's fries.

Mill Creek Don
Apr 24, 07, 9:29 pm
I fell for the fries with truffle oil and asiago cheese at the Fog City Diner in SFO.

greggwiggins
Apr 24, 07, 9:38 pm
Thrasher's Fries is a small storefront just a few steps from the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk; they've been drawing long lines since the 1920s selling nothing but french fries and soft drinks.

What does that tell you about those french fries?

They don't even have ketchup, by the way, just salt and apple cider vinegar to sprinkle over your fries.

IceTrojan
Apr 24, 07, 9:48 pm
Thrasher's Fries is a small storefront just a few steps from the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk; they've been drawing long lines since the 1920s selling nothing but french fries and soft drinks.

What does that tell you about those french fries?

They don't even have ketchup, by the way, just salt and apple cider vinegar to sprinkle over your fries.

Well shoot.. I was hoping you had misspelled "Redondo" :(

New-Flyer
Apr 26, 07, 8:24 am
Ever put your fries in your burger?

And if you dip your fries in a milkshake, I will look at you weird.

Soggy warm fries are the best from McDonalds. Of course, I put mine in my burger. The sauce from the cheeseburger or Big Mac gives it a bit of taste.

Also, I dip mine in my strawberry sundae. :D

techgirl
Apr 26, 07, 8:31 am
There's a small SoCal chain called The Hat that has "wet" fries. They're fries smothered in brown gravy. Kinda like mashed potatoes and gravy. I love 'em! ^

I like The Hat, but gotta say if I'm doing gravy and fries, I have to do it Texas-style - which would be dry fries with a nice bowl of white CREAM gravy on the side for dipping.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm....

Too bad I don't eat gravy anymore (flour) and rarely touch fries these days. :(

kingalien
May 1, 07, 12:26 am
well done fries with garlic ^.
Belgian fries with garlic mayo or garlic fries at Gordon Biersch Brewery.

curlyflyer
May 8, 07, 5:15 pm
Fries in Amsterdam are fabulous. I love the paper cone, the little useless fork and the plethora of sauces that I can't pronouce. One day I'll figure out what they all are. Until then, I'll stick with the mayonnaise or vinegar.

I also love steak fries with the skin on. I used to eat McD's fries but stopped once I found out about the beef flavoring.

carterdayne
Jun 16, 07, 10:55 am
Crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Not too fat, not too skinny, and NOT soggy. Crinkle cut fries can be fun; never really like curly fries.

Best fast food fry is still McD's... which I have with sweet n' sour sauce.



If you want them really hot, order them with 'no salt'. You can then get the salt at the condiment bar. I've done this for years - never had an issue and they're hot hot hot!

UCBeau
Jun 16, 07, 12:35 pm
In N Out fries, ordered Animal Style

McD's are ok, but I think Wendy's fries are actually a bit better, dipped in a milkshake..YUM!!!

exc3ll
Jun 19, 07, 6:20 pm
Duck fat fries ROCK!
I like sweet potato fries too...^

Flyer_70
Jun 19, 07, 6:32 pm
Fries are great when dipped in tartar sauce. Any fry will do.. ^

BiziBB
Jun 19, 07, 6:35 pm
Don't forget the home of the potato (for me anyway!) and the Best Fish & Chips in Ireland (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=684053)thread.

Get some great chips with your fish at the local fishing harbour or dockside restaurant or pub in Dublin (Dun Laoghaire & Blackrock) or Killarney, Cork!

Have you ever dipped your 'chip' in chowder? :)

PS. It's a lot of fun to order fish & chips in New Zealand, too, to hear regional accent variations. ^ Order from the local Dairy!

Rejuvenated
Jul 15, 07, 11:57 pm
Ever put your fries in your burger?
I sure have! ;) Yummy! ^

Rejuvenated
Jul 16, 07, 12:00 am
But in the not-quite-fast food category In-N-Out Burger fries are a thing of beauty.
And healthier than McD's as well.

birdstrike
Jul 16, 07, 12:07 am
Duck fat fries ROCK!

I read through the entire thread waiting to add this gem, and you beat me to it. ^

Fries made in duck fat ROCK!

Just had some today at Arcadia (executive Chef Michael Mina)

jfe
Jul 16, 07, 12:07 am
I like the ones from Popeyes :o

imm2b
Jul 16, 07, 12:08 am
Fries in Amsterdam are fabulous.

Agree completely. I had mayo and ketchup. The fries store right on Damrak.

I had some pretty good fries at a fish & chips place in Cambridge, England many years ago as well.

birdstrike
Jul 16, 07, 12:09 am
Fries are great when dipped in tartar sauce.

Even better with aioli.

Rejuvenated
Jul 16, 07, 12:23 am
Fries in Amsterdam are fabulous.
I once ordered satay at an Indonesian restaurant in Amsterdam (I believe it was somewhere close to Dam Square) and it came with fries instead of rice. And of course you would then dip the fries with the peanut satay dipping sauce. Very unique.

Rejuvenated
Jul 16, 07, 12:26 am
Also, I dip mine in my strawberry sundae. :D
I once dipped mines in the McFlurries.

Eastbay1K
Jul 16, 07, 1:15 am
(1) Friteland Brussels
(2) The place in Amsterdam others have mentioned
(3) Gregoire, in Berkeley (but not when some people make them).

Showbizguru
Jul 16, 07, 3:48 am
A brief word in praise of the souvlaki chip ( as we call 'em )
Normally just two or three - together with some pork or chicken,a slice of tomato,lettuce and yoghurt in a pitta wrap.
Washed down with an ice-cold Amstel.
It's what I had for my supper last night on the Greek island of Sifnos and it cost me €4.
Result.

mjcewl1284
Jul 16, 07, 5:22 am
The local McDonalds where I live soaks their french fries way too long so too many fries are soggy :td:

BK is slightly better fry wise.

I don't really understand but Ruth's Chris has some good french fries :confused:

Boardwalk Fries is passable and great at any shopping mall.

Waffle fries? Kind of hard to dip in ketchup.

iCorpRoadie
Jul 16, 07, 6:26 am
I think the best I have ever had were home made fries in Argentina. They just made you crave them!!!!

mmj3
Jul 16, 07, 9:45 am
Living in the south has taught me that anything can be fried...

that being said, I've become addicted to sweet potato fries. SO good.

and fried pickles, but that's probably best for another thread.

deubster
Jul 16, 07, 1:33 pm
Best I've had - Franklin Cafe, Boston. Part of my Steak Frites meal. Thin, long strands, crisp yet tender. Outstanding. :p

horse glasses
Jul 16, 07, 7:56 pm
Pittsburgh: How can you talk about Primanti's and NOT the O (Original Hot Dog Shop in Oakland)??? Blasphemy. I have to make a trip there every time I'm home.

Fries on salad is most definitely a Pittsburgh thing. I remember may school lunches involving that, but people give me crazy looks when I ask for it out here on the west coast.

RonDace
Jul 16, 07, 8:08 pm
McD fries are always good and you can eat them with one hand right out of the cup thing (or whatever it's called) while driving.
Wendy's has been consistently great but recently they don't seem as good as they did in the past. Still good, though.
Red Robin steak fries are my latest favorite but I always ask for them with no seasoning.
Saddest of all is that I have to limit my carb intake now so maybe only one order of fries per month for me (and I have to make sure no one sees me!)
Sigh.

Rejuvenated
Jul 16, 07, 9:34 pm
Waffle fries? Kind of hard to dip in ketchup.
I prefer to soak them in maple syrup. ^