French fries might just be the most classic accompaniment of all, pairing with everything from burgers (of course) to steak, and pretty much everything in between. Done right, they're crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and irresistibly, perfectly seasoned. And, at some restaurants and fast food spots around the US, the fries are so special, they're much more than a side dish – they're the main event. We've analyzed the data to hunt down the tastiest French fries across the US, state by state.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the best places for fries in every state, from restaurants where they're tossed in secret seasonings, to hole-in-the-wall eateries people travel across the country to visit.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Located just across from Protective Stadium, where the University of Alabama at Birmingham plays its home schedule, The Southern Kitchen and Bar serves up the best fries in the Heart of Dixie. While the fries themselves are perfectly cooked, it's the jalapeño and honey seasoning that really makes them stand out. Equal parts sweet and spicy, these fries will win your heart, whether you're a Blazers fan or not.
There are many reasons to visit legendary Anchorage venue, Bear Tooth Theatrepub: movies, concerts, a huge selection of microbrews... However, the French fries top the lot. The adjoining Bear Tooth Grill serves up deliciously crisp garlic cilantro fries, packing a herby kick as both a snack and a side. If that isn’t enough, you can load them up with cheese.
The Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company has two locations in the Grand Canyon State, and, although they have differing menus, both serve up the amazing Wilderfries. These delights are cooked in duck fat, before being salted and sprinkled with rosemary and thyme. The fries come with a house ketchup and garlic aioli, too, and you can also opt to have the fries cooked in regular oil.
Hugo’s in Fayetteville has been a favorite of locals and visitors alike since opening way back in 1977. Its huge menu means that everyone will find something they like. However, one decision is a complete no-brainer: get the fries. Made in-house, baskets of these thick and crispy French fries are the go-to side or a bar snack.
In a state as big as California, which has so many culinary influences, it’s almost impossible to pick the best fries. Only almost, though, as the duck fat truffle fries at The Smoking Goat really are something special. Enriched by being fried in duck fat and drizzled with truffle oil, these crispy fries are then finished with freshly grated pecorino romano. Served alongside a mustard aioli, they taste incredible, whether devoured on their own or paired with one of the restaurant’s luxurious entrées.
What makes the fries at this tiki bar so addictive? The special Island Spice seasoning that they come dusted in. Adrift batters its Volcano Fries before frying, then tosses them, while hot, in a devilishly delicious secret seasoning. Served with a chili aioli, these spicy French fries pair perfectly with the sweet and tart drinks on the menu – and, according to the many happy customers, they're by far the best around.
Fryborg was originally one of Connecticut’s favorite food trucks, specializing in all things deep fried. It has since opened a brick-and-mortar location in Trumbull, where it continues to serve its incredible French fries – much to the delight of everyone who tastes them. Hand cut with love and care, the fries at Fryborg form the base for the huge range of loaded fries. However, they’re also fantastic on their own, with a choice of 17 dipping sauces on offer, from standard ketchup to mayonnaise laced with herbes de Provence.
There is no denying that DB’s Fries is the king of Delaware’s beachfront restaurants. Every day, it slings portion after portion of the best fries around, serving diners at its restaurant and takeout customers, who come for the famous cups of fries. Perfectly seasoned, with a reliably crispy outside and fluffy inside, these fries complete a day at Bethany Beach. Other famous fry joints may be trying to elbow in (looking at you, Thrasher’s of Maryland) but there’s no dethroning DB’s in Delaware.
The best fries in Florida are, perhaps surprisingly, found away from the busy tourist areas and major cities, and instead are at a small gluten-free restaurant on the edge of Lake Dora. The Salted Fry serves up perfectly crisp and fluffy fries, which are delicious on their own or as a side to one of the incredible sandwiches. The restaurant also has options to fancy up its fries, either with truffle oil and Parmesan. Whatever you choose, everyone who tries the fries here agrees that they’re the best around.
The name of this restaurant may already be long, but it really should include '& Fries' as well. There are five different combos of seasoned fries and dips at Fred’s, from classics like garlic fries and ranch, to BBQ fries with a white BBQ dipping sauce. Always freshly made for guaranteed fluffy potato with a crunchy outside, the fries at Fred’s are just one of the reasons it received a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2023.
The focus at Hank’s Haute Dogs is, understandably, on their huge selection of specialty hot dogs. However, by no means sleep on the fries that go with them. There are three different varieties to choose from – natural cut French fries, pommes frites, and truffle cheese fries – and customers agree that all of them need to be tried. A great selection of dipping sauces, such as Wasabi Creme and Furikake Ranch, finish off this incredible fry experience.
Idaho might famously supply potatoes to McDonald's, but it apparently keeps back some of the best for its own small, hidden-away gems. Top among these is West Side Yard, where customers unanimously agree the crispy, rosemary-seasoned fries are some of the best they've ever had. Whether served alongside a burger, or loaded as an appetizer, the West Side fries are a must-try in the Gem State.
There's only one thing you need to know about the fries at DMK: the king of America's casual food scene, Guy Fieri, dropped by and announced that these Parmesan and truffle fries were some of the best he’d ever tasted. Anywhere. It's all thanks to the complex frying process which DMK uses, guaranteeing crispy, fluffy fries every time. With other flavors on offer, too, the fries at DMK are not to be missed.
Pretty much everyone in Indiana has an opinion on which is the best barbecue joint, but the decision on who does the best fries is a relatively easy one: Ziffles Rib Bar. While not a traditional barbecue side, these fries will quickly convert you. They hold their crunch, yet are thick enough to soak up all of the delicious BBQ sauce and juices from the meat they come alongside. You can even get them loaded up with cheese and meat, as an appetizer or snack.
Django is one of the best French restaurants in Iowa, if not the entire US, so it should come as no surprise that the fries here are sublime. While also available as a side, the true star is the Duck Frites appetizer. Freshly fried in duck fat, these decadently crispy fries come with three dipping sauces to complement their rich, salty flavor perfectly: béarnaise, harissa aioli, and curry ketchup.
Joe's KC Bar-B-Que has three locations across Kansas, and all of them serve these incredible fries as a side. Habit may say to go for the slaw or mac 'n' cheese instead, but it's absolutely worth breaking from tradition for fries this good. Fresh out of the fryer, the crisp fries are dusted with a special house seasoning, which makes them stand out as the best in all of the Sunflower State.
The fries at upscale barbecue restaurant Hammerheads are so tasty, people are willing to travel for hours for those alone. (They’ll probably pick up a burger or some smoked brisket, too.) Order them plain (though never bland), tossed in truffle oil, or – a customer favorite – fried in duck fat. Another hugely popular twist is Grippo fries, with a piquant barbecue seasoning.
This New Orleans wine bar regularly comes top in 'best French fry' contests, and it’s easy to see why. The fries at The Delachaise are cooked to a golden brown in rich goose fat, before being lightly salted for simple perfection. They make a fantastic side in dishes like Thai Moules et Frites, or as an appetizer, with the house-made peanut satay and malt vinegar aioli.
Pier French Fries have set the standard for fries in Maine for more than 80 years. The potatoes come to the small store fresh from local suppliers in New England, before being washed, peeled, and thickly crinkle-cut in house. The stand is always busy, and for good reason – you’re guaranteed fresh, hot, and crispy fries, every time. The stand is such an institution, no visit to Old Orchard Beach is complete without a box of fries from the Pier.
For around a century, Thrasher’s French Fries has been the undisputed king of French fries in Maryland. Its stands source the freshest potatoes available, frying them in peanut oil with the same precision and care as they have since the first spot opened in 1929. Thrasher’s is so proud of the taste of the fries, it even has signs that state: 'We serve no ketchup!' Any fry that can get away with that must be very special indeed.
The fries at Saus are inspired by those sold on pretty much every street corner and square in Belgium, but with a twist: the potatoes are cut relatively thick. This results in an extremely crunchy exterior and a fluffy, almost cloud-like interior. Throw on some perfectly balanced seasoning, and you have a winner.
There's around a dozen Union Joints across the Great Lakes State, all with different identities and food styles, and sadly not all serve fries. What customers everywhere agree on, though, is that if your location does have fries on the menu, you need to order them. No matter what kitchen they come from, the fries from a Union Joint are guaranteed to have a nice crunch and fluffy inside, and be perfect either alongside a burger or as a standalone snack.
For fry fans in the Land of 10,000 Lakes there is only an agonizingly short window where the best French fries are available. Each year at the State Fair – held in the run-up to Labor Day, at the fairgrounds between the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul – the Fresh French Fries stand takes just-harvested local potatoes and turns them into some of the crispest and fluffiest in the country. These fries may only be available for 12 days a year, but are so popular, the stall gets through more than 400,000 pounds of potatoes annually.
Doe’s Eat Place is a Mississippi icon and, while the restaurant may now have locations outside the Magnolia State, it originated in Greenville back in 1941. The restaurants are best-known for beef, but the French fries are something truly special as well. Rather than using a communal fryer, Doe’s Eat Place finishes its homestyle fries off in an iron skillet. This cooking technique not only gives the fries here an incredible home style taste, it also ensures that they're always fresh.
What makes Black Sheep really stand out is the amount of effort that goes into producing its perfect fries. In an interview with Missouri Life, co-owner Mike Jalili explained the extensive process they use. It includes blanching, freezing, then frying the potato sticks, along with using a specialized fridge to ensure that everything is kept at just the right temperature. That amount of attention creates an unbeatable fry.
Gyros restaurants often have some of the best fries around, and The Greek Pastry Shop is a perfect example of that. Perfectly crispy and traditionally seasoned, the fries here are perfect as a side, or with fresh feta crumbled over the top for that extra cheesy and salty kick. No matter what else you order here, make sure you get a portion of the best fries in Big Sky Country.
Bronco’s Hamburgers consistently turns out crisp, fluffy fries at both of its Omaha locations; they're so good, in fact, that Omaha Magazine also declared them the best in the Cornhusker State. There are also waffle-cut Laredo fries on offer, with extra seasoning. Or try something a little different with Potato Rounders, a cross between hash browns and chicken nuggets.
Despite the slew of fine dining establishments inside the glitzy heart of Las Vegas, diners in Sin City all agree that the best fries are at Paymon’s. The restaurant serves a Mediterranean influenced menu, and the Athens Fries perfectly show this off by using an addictive, authentic seasoning to coat their crisp and airy fries. Coupled with a delicious creamy dipping sauce, these fries alone are worth the trip to Las Vegas.
The Puritan Backroom is one of New Hampshire’s best and most beloved restaurants, keeping customers happy for over a century. The most famous dish here is the chicken tenders – so much so, many presidential candidates have stopped by for a plate while on the campaign trail. However, the fries that come with them often steal the show. Fried until they’re a deep golden brown, these fries are pretty near perfect.
Under no circumstances sleep on the fries if you visit Kimchi Smoke. The plain fries are fantastic, with a good bite and nice saltiness. But, for a real treat, try the Kajun Fries. These are twice fried before being tossed in the signature house BBQ rub, and served alongside the Fatcho Sauce for extra kick. This restaurant may win awards for its barbecue, but we think it deserves one for its fries, too.
The portions of fries at Holy Cow Burger are famously huge, almost spilling out of giant baskets. This is a good thing, as they’re the best fries in the Land of Enchantment. They may look simple, coming fresh and crispy from the fryer before being salted and served with ketchup, but the taste cannot be beaten. Diners who can’t eat a full portion alongside their towering burger rarely, if ever, leave a single one. If you really can't finish them, ask for a box.
While some may point to famous Manhattan restaurants like Balthazar for the best fries, the true champions belong to Buffalo fast-casual restaurant Frank Gourmet Hot Dogs. These freshly cut fries are deep fried until a deep golden brown, before being lightly salted. The fries are a perfect accompaniment to the hot dogs here and, thanks to the huge portions, there will always be enough to take home and enjoy later.
While the air fried, made to order French fries served at this waterfront spot are themselves top notch, what really makes them the absolute top are the dipping sauces which come with them. Hot Honey, White Truffle Ketchup, and a Pesto Aioli are among the options at Sauce'd, perfect for dipping your fries while taking in views of the Cape Fear River.
Scotty’s Drive In is an institution in North Dakota, with patrons flocking there for the old school Americana ambience, famous Rebel burger, and – of course – the fries. These long-cut fries are cooked until they’re delightfully golden, before being lightly salted. There are also options to upgrade, with both a spicy seasoning and ranch dressing available. For the true Scotty’s experience, though, get an order of fresh beef gravy for dipping.
While the Senate Restaurant is far from a hidden gem, due to the national attention it receives, sometimes places are famous because they really are that good. This restaurant is a case in point, as they serve by far the best fries in the Buckeye State. They come either fried in duck fat until rich and golden brown, or decadently drizzled in truffle oil. No matter which fries are ordered, they are almost guaranteed to be life changing.
Residents of, and visitors to, the Sooner State pretty much unanimously agree that the fries from Patty Wagon Burgers reign supreme. These fresh hand-cut fries are lovingly fried until perfectly golden, before being lightly salted and served to hungry customers. Even better are some of the specialty dipping sauces, which are made in house. Options include Horseradish Mayonnaise, Jalapeño Ranch, and one simply named Mustard Lovers.
The best fries in the Beaver State can be found at Potato Champion, located inside the Cartopia food cart complex. At Potato Champion, the fries are obviously sublime, but it's the incredible sauces that really make them. From the Tarragon Anchovy Mayonnaise to the Rosemary Truffle Ketchup and Bourbon Honey Mustard, they elevate the French fries to sheer perfection.
The French fries at Good Bad & Ugly are not only the best in all of Pennsylvania, but also the entire country – according to various national polls and awards, that is. Hand cut, fried to perfection, and lightly salted, there's not a bad mark against them. With the restaurant group expanding to new locations throughout the Keystone State, it’s now easier than ever to try these nationally recognized fries.
Red Stripe Restaurant is one of the best in Ocean State, and its fries are – according to many happy customers – the best, period. While these golden sticks of deliciousness work great as a side, they truly shine when ordered as an appetizer. Available with both a fresh aioli or tossed in decadent Parmesan and truffle, they live up to the billing of 'Rhode Island’s favorite!'
Are French fries best skinny or fat? How about seasoned simply with salt, or tossed in a mouth-watering rich truffle and Parmesan blend? Thankfully, when deciding what fries to order at Grill Marks, you don’t have to choose, with an option to order a generous sampler of three styles, served with dipping sauces.
Black Hills Burger & Bun is nationally recognized for its incredible burgers, even named as making the Best Burger in America by TripAdvisor in the past. However, under no circumstances are the fries to be missed. These long, hand-cut fries are fried until crispy with a fluffy inside, and served alongside incredible dipping sauces like a Maple Aioli, Chipotle BBQ, or the signature Hot Granny Jelly.
When The Tennessean newspaper searched for the best fries in the state, the result was unanimous: the best fries are at the Riverside Grillshack. One diner even reported that she usually eats all of the fries on the drive home when getting takeout, even though she only lives a mile away. They're hand cut, fried to a crispy, golden brown, and dusted in salt, pepper, and a little garlic to make the best fries in Tennessee.
In a state as large as Texas, there are a lot of contenders for the title of best French fries. However, what edges Hyde Park Bar & Grill to the front is its incredible cooking process. The fries are first covered in a buttermilk batter, then fried until they are crisp and perfectly golden brown. They're then tossed in a secret house spice mix, before being served alongside the restaurant’s signature Hyde Park sauce.
When Gastronomic Salt Lake City, the oldest food magazine in Utah, did a round-up of the best fries from all across the Beehive State, it found that the absolute best were to be found at Flanker. This cavernous sports venue serves fries that are so good, they’re described as being similar, but better, to those served at McDonald's. These skinny French fries are fried until golden, lightly salted, and guaranteed to never disappoint.
In some states there simply isn’t a competition for the crown of best French fries, and that’s especially true in Vermont. Here, Al’s French Frys reigns supreme. The 'frys' – as they're spelled on the menu – are cooked to perfection before being given a generous dose of seasoning. You're guaranteed that, every visit, you’ll get a hot, crisp, and salty batch of the best fries in the Green Mountain State. The only decision to make is whether to get a cup, pint, or full quart.
These decadent French fries are undoubtedly the best in all of the Old Dominion. Red Apron Butchery first fries its fresh potatoes in beef fat before tossing in a combination of garlic confit and rosemary. These are then served up alongside a ranch aioli and ketchup for dipping, and are guaranteed to please. There is also a second location in Washington DC, serving up these same leading fries.
The Swinery specializes in pork products, so it should come as no surprise that this influence carries over to its fries. Uniquely, this restaurant cooks its fries in triple rendered pork fat. This imbues them with a deliciously rich flavor and deep brown color. They’re good enough to eat already, but The Swinery then tosses them in a special mixture of garlic, chives, and salt. It’s no surprise that these incredible fries are the best in all of Washington.
The main attraction of the Dancing Dog is, unsurprisingly, the homemade ice cream. However, when in Charleston, make sure to go in for a portion of their hand-cut fries as well. The crinkle-cut option is also great, but the hand-cut fries are something special. Extra long and straight, fried crisp but thick enough to keep that fluffy interior, customers can't get enough of them.
Wisconsin is famous for its dairy products, hence most fries in the Badger State come with some kind cheese involved. However, if you crave a more refined and traditional French fry, look no further than the Centraal Cafe in Milwaukee. Simply made with thin strips of potato fried until crispy and dashed with salt, these fries are particularly popular served in a cone as a snack or appetizer, with a choice of two delicious sauces.
At the Crowbar and Grill, fries are at the heart of the menu. There are loaded fries, heaped in toppings, and luxurious Parmesan and truffle fries. Or, if you order one of the juicy burgers, it will come with plain, simple, and utterly delicious French fries. They're consistently rated as the best by locals.