Dairy Queen – The Forgettable Disappointment
Let’s start at the absolute bottom where nobody wants to be. Dairy Queen’s fries consistently rank at the bottom of every expert list, and there’s nothing inherently offensive about them – they’re just painfully forgettable. Think of them as the beige wallpaper of the fast food world.
These golden fries arrive looking promising in their cute DQ box, but your first bite reveals the truth – they cut through like butter instead of providing that satisfying crunch, while your taste buds search desperately for any resembling flavor. Unlike McDonald’s, DQ’s fries come completely unsalted, and they automatically provide ketchup without being asked, perhaps acknowledging that their fries desperately need help.
White Castle – Limp and Lukewarm Letdowns
White Castle can be pretty hit or miss regardless of what you order, and their fries are nearly always limp, saltless, and completely devoid of crispiness. It’s like they took the concept of french fries and decided to make them as un-fry-like as possible.
These aren’t just bad fries – they’re actively disappointing ones. When you’re craving that perfect combination of crispy exterior and fluffy interior, White Castle delivers the exact opposite experience. You’d probably get better results microwaving frozen fries at home, and that’s saying something about a restaurant that’s supposed to specialize in quick service food.
In-N-Out – The Fresh Paradox
Despite being feverishly popular, especially for burgers, In-N-Out’s fries remain divisive – for every chef endorsement, there’s another list ranking them among the worst. The regional chain prides itself on cutting fresh potatoes from scratch (you can even see them doing it from the drive-thru), but their commitment to freshness actually compromises the end product.
Their infamous aversion to double-frying or blanching ensures that these fries turn into stale, room-temperature matchsticks within mere minutes, and while ordering them Animal-Style improves quality exponentially, a good fry should stand on its own. The main issue is textural – since fries go straight into the fryer after slicing, the potato’s remaining moisture alters the frying process, preventing the double-frying that creates the crispy texture fry lovers crave.
Shake Shack – The Grease Trap
Every single batch of Shake Shack fries tastes like rancid cooking grease, whether it’s the soybean oil or their cooking technique, and the gross greasy smell even emanates from the store itself. This is particularly frustrating because the concept should work well.
Fans of crinkle-cut fries tend to enjoy these slightly thicker versions that pair well with a Shack Burger, but they can be under-salted and sometimes too crispy – nobody wants to bite into a hard french fry. The saving grace is their cheese fries option, but that’s basically admitting the regular fries need serious help to be palatable.
Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr. – The Natural Disaster
Remember the day they announced changing the fries at Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr.? The burger chain swapped classic fast-food style fries for thicker “natural cut” versions that leave potato skins intact. Initially advertised as resembling premium restaurant-quality potatoes, they’re actually just less crispy and less satisfying.
These fries are the definition of “just fine” – there’s nothing really bad about them, but there’s no pizzazz or redeeming quality that sets them apart from the endless sea of natural-cut fast food fries. Sometimes playing it too safe means you end up being completely unremarkable in a crowded field.
Sonic – The Missed Opportunity
Sonic has an overwhelmingly large menu, so not everything can be the star, and their standard fries definitely leave quite a bit to be desired – they’re just run-of-the-mill, standard-cut fries that somehow are never fresh, regardless of when you visit. This is particularly disappointing given Sonic’s drive-in heritage.
However, there’s hope on the horizon. Sonic purists may stick with their reliable tots, but their new Groovy Fries are super crispy for crinkle-cut style, probably because they’re smaller and thinner than most crinkle-cuts, and they come with Groovy Sauce that’s like a slightly spicy Big Mac sauce. It’s better to stick with the tater tots or try the newer options.
Burger King – The Inconsistent Crown
Long gone are the days when a paper crown compensated for a subpar meal, and while these fries aren’t the freshest, they’re well-salted with simple, mild flavor but inconsistent texture – some soggy, some crunchy. Burger King’s fries are thicker than most, like potato wedges, advertised as super salty and piping hot, and while they’re warm and well-seasoned, they have a softer, potato-y center that some fans love.
The problem with BK fries isn’t that they’re terrible – it’s that they’re wildly unpredictable. You might get a batch that’s perfectly crispy and well-seasoned, or you might get something that’s been sitting under heat lamps for too long. Consistency matters in fast food, and that’s where the crown slips.
Taco Bell Nacho Fries – The Limited-Time Tease
Taco Bell first launched Nacho Fries as a limited-time side in 2018 and they’ve been revived nearly a dozen times since, but despite their spiced appearance, the seasoning is mild, the fries are unevenly dusted and lean soggy, served with lightly jalapeño-y nacho cheese for dipping – fun, but nothing to write home about.
The concept is solid – seasoned fries with cheese sauce from a place that knows how to do Mexican-inspired flavors. The execution, however, falls short of the promise. Taco Bell’s nacho fries represent culinary innovation, but innovation doesn’t always equal improvement when the basics aren’t nailed down first.
Jack in the Box – The Choice Champion
Jack in the Box earns serious points because it offers not one but two varieties: thin, standard-cut fries and seasoned curly fries, and while neither variety is the absolute best, both are pretty good. With such a wide variety of deep-fried options on the menu, it was necessary to pick a store winner, and the curly fries are superior.
Curly fries imply a smoky, paprika-forward barbecue flavor profile, and while Jack in the Box delivers this, the flavors are somewhat muted, but texturally they’re on point with light breading that creates nice, crispy texture. Having options is always appreciated, especially when both choices are reasonably executed.
Chick-fil-A Waffle Fries – The Shape Game Changer
2024 was the year Chick-fil-A almost broke us when a TikToker falsely claimed the chain was discontinuing its Waffle Fries – a beloved menu staple since 1985 – causing swift social media panic that speaks to the devout following these fries have, though fortunately the hoopla was all for nothing.
They might sound basic on the surface – familiar-looking waffle fries cooked in canola oil and sprinkled with sea salt – but they’re pretty perfect, and there’s a reason the recipe hasn’t changed since the ’80s. Their flavor is similar to Wendy’s because the potatoes’ skin is partially left on, which alleviates blandness, while the waffle cut ensures crunch in every bite. The unique shape isn’t just for show – those little pockets hold seasoning and sauces perfectly.
Popeyes Cajun Fries – The Spice Route
While Popeyes’ fries don’t reach the savory heights of their other menu items, they’re really good for what they are, adding a smoky kick with Cajun seasoning and getting tossed with seasoned flour for extra crispness. These fries are crispy with special Cajun seasoning that isn’t super spicy but has unique flavor with hints of herbs – some people love the special Popeyes flavor all on its own.
Fast-food fans who like their fries with a kick give props to Popeyes Cajun Fries, with one fan asking why nobody appreciates how delicious and well-seasoned they are. When a chain known primarily for fried chicken can make fries this distinctive, that’s saying something about their understanding of flavor.
Arby’s Curly Fries – The Seasoned Veteran
It feels almost sacrilegious that Arby’s, a chain practically synonymous with curly fries, would dare roll out rival crinkle fries, but the curly fries are still holding strong, proving there’s room for multiple spuds on one menu. These springy spirals of potato come in different shapes, so some are crispier than others, adding textural surprise with every bite, and they have delicious peppery spice, though they could use more salt for some people.
Arby’s fries are well-respected as a solid choice, with fans declaring them “the best fast food fries in a landslide,” specifically praising the curly variety. There’s something deeply satisfying about finding the perfect curly fry in your order – crispy, well-seasoned, and shaped like a little spiral of happiness.
Five Guys – The Generous Greasy Giant
Five Guys is the rare burger chain equally esteemed for its spuds and patties because these “boardwalk-style” fries are legendary – fresh-cut with crispy skin-on edges, cooked twice in 100% peanut oil to ensure salty, golden-brown, crunchy exterior while maintaining light, fluffy interior. Five Guys fries are firm fan favorites, with one enthusiast saying “Five Guys cajun fries demolishes all,” and another loving “getting a bag full of fries when I order one regular”.
They are notoriously on the greasier side and regarded as some of the least-healthy fast-food fries out there, but a fresh-cut spud now and again never hurt anyone. The portion sizes are legendary – you get what you order plus extra fries dumped into your bag. However, these fries are certainly not lacking in flavor, but usually they’re a bit much – too salty, more greasy than preferred, and finishing a serving leaves you feeling gross.
Wendy’s Hot & Crispy – The Engineered Excellence
According to Wendy’s Senior Culinary and Innovation Specialist Emily Kessler, “One side is built thicker for heat retention while the other side is thinner to enhance crispiness,” and this machete-shaped engineering definitely works in Wendy’s favor, giving rustic flavor from the skin while enjoying crisp snap at the bladed edge. These skin-on fries are consistently fresh, especially since launching the Hot & Crispy Fry Guarantee in 2021, and arrive generously salted and piping hot.
The honor of best overall french fry goes to Wendy’s – these fries made with unpeeled potatoes were crisped to perfection and perfectly salted, and without bells and whistles of special shapes or bold seasonings, they’re simply perfect classic fries at their best. Wendy’s gets points for consistency and taste, with fans saying they’re “always the same” – never a bad batch or good one, just always reliable.
McDonald’s World Famous Fries – The Golden Standard
McDonald’s World Famous Fries topped Eat This, Not That’s list of the best fast food french fries for 2024, ranking number one among 13 different fast food fry options. Let’s be honest: barring any catastrophic upset, this list was never going to end on a higher note than McDonald’s – there will always be detractors and rivals, but there will only ever be one McDonald’s, a chain that single-handedly defined what a fast-food fry should look, smell, feel, and taste like.
Everyone wants to know why McDonald’s French Fries taste so good – it’s simple: they’re made with premium potatoes like Russet Burbank and Shepody, with zero grams of trans fat per serving, crispy and golden outside, fluffy inside. The secret is in the ingredients: potatoes, vegetable oil blend, dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate for color, salt, and natural beef flavor containing hydrolyzed wheat and milk. When they’re fresh, hot, and perfectly salted, they could easily seize the number one spot, but execution matters – when they’ve been sitting out or aren’t properly seasoned, they become some of the worst.
The golden arches didn’t become a global empire by accident. These thin, crispy fries have set the standard that every other chain tries to match. When they’re perfect, they’re transcendent. When they’re not, well, that’s why there are so many other options trying to dethrone the king.
