It's happened to all of us at least once: when that craving strikes, whether it is at 1 AM or at 3 PM in the afternoon, it needs to be satisfied. The craving in question is one that only salty, greasy fries can satisfy and for many people, the debate has been ongoing for decades over which fast-food chain has the best.
There are many questions to answer here. Are soft fries better than crispy? Where do the fry ends stack up against fries made from the middle section of the potato? What about the salt level, are they better to be oversalted or left natural so that the potato flavor shines through? Or, more specifically, are fries better when a chain puts in the effort to add their own spice blend? Is any specific shape better, whether it's waffle, curly, or straight-cut?
If your head is spinning then you're not alone. the debate has been had many times and to finally end the madness, we're ranking all of the best fries you can get, in order of suitable to the absolute stunners. No ketchup necessary.
KFC Potato Wedges
The thing that's so impressive about KFC's potato wedges is the fact that they're not even technically fries. In fact, in the U.K., they would even be considered 'chips' which still aren't fries. However, that hasn't stopped them from being entirely on-point when it comes to seasoning even if the oil from these bad boys does seep through the takeaway box they come in. They're delicious, filled with tender potato goodness, and while not the best, they will definitely do in a pinch with a side of fried chicken and gravy mash.
Five Guys Fries
Five Guys makes the list thanks to the fact that their fries usually come in a serving that's twice the size of every other chain restaurant around. With that being said, the flavor is okay and you can tell that these fries are fried in a homestyle kind of way, but they're nowhere near the top spots on the list. They're good for those who appreciate a no-frills fry with decent seasoning and large portions.
Wendy's Natural Cut Fries
Wendy's hasn't always been at the top of the list when it comes to fries until their natural cut option hit the menu. For some reason, these fries just hit differently and they've become a must-have side for many people. Pair that with their new jalapeño chicken sandwich and suddenly, they're rising up through the ranks in terms of winning menu items. They're good and are seasoning well enough, and while there are better options out there, these certainly hold their own.
Popeye's Cajun Fries
Popeye's makes the list in terms of their texture which, surprisingly, is far better than many others on this list. The cajun seasoning is good but then again, we wouldn't expect anything less from Popeye's - but the texture and crunch of these seasoned fries, combined with a tender interior, is what makes them so dang delicious... we just wish there were more of them in one serving.
Shake Shack Crinkle-Cut Fries
Normally, crinkle-cut fries don't appeal to anyone outside of kids at a backyard BBQ party. However, Shake Shack has managed to bring back these fries in a way that has made fans fall in love with them all over again. Normally, unless they're smothered with liquid cheese and bacon bits, waffle fries aren't good for much. Unless you're going to Shake Shack, where they're fried to perfection and are seasoned as every fry should be.
Checker's Famous Seasoned Fries
Longtime fans of Checker's can probably smell pictures of these fries because the seasoning the chain uses is just that good. These fries are comparable to Popeye's Cajun fries but are somehow better, with seasoning that's so prevalent that you can literally see it coating each individual piece of potato. They're delicious, perfectly crunchy, and full of flavor with a boldness that shouldn't be underestimated.
McDonald's Fries
Of course, McDonald's had to land somewhere at the top of the list. For so long now, this fast-food chain has been absolutely slaying the game when it comes to both fast-food burgers and fries, and it's undeniable that there's something in them that makes these red and yellow cardboard boxes highly addictive. Maybe it's the salt level, or maybe it's just the scent of this greasy bag that brings us back to our childhoods.
Arby's Curly Fries
The winner, and the fast-food chain with the ultimate in fries, is none other than Arby's. This chain's fries simply aren't up for debate - they're so tasty that even supermarkets sell frozen packages of these curly potatoes for at-home eating. The seasoning coating each fry is unreal and when dipped in that famous Arby's sauce, you could swear there's some type of unknown magic (or an exact science) going on that has never been duplicated.