Let’s be real—best fast food fries are the ultimate fast food sidekick. Whether they’re paired with a burger, dunked in sauce, or eaten straight from the carton, French fries are a must-have in any fast food meal.
With so many styles—classic, crinkle-cut, curly, waffle—and different cooking methods, from peanut oil to beef tallow, which fast food chain truly makes the best fries?
Food enthusiasts recently conducted a fries showdown, taste-testing fries from 10+ popular chains across North America. The results? Some surprises, a few disappointments, and a brand-new fries champion! Let’s break it down. 
#13 In-N-Out – A Fresh but Floppy Disappointment
In-N-Out is famous for its fresh, never-frozen approach, but unfortunately, this doesn’t work well for their fries.
While it’s impressive to see potatoes cut fresh in-store, the end result is often bland and limp, lacking the crispy texture most fry lovers crave.
#12 Shake Shack – Great Shape, Wrong Flavor
Shake Shack’s crinkle-cut fries have the perfect crispy bite and look great. However, their choice of frying oil seems to be a problem. Many tasters noted a lingering, rancid oil aftertaste, making their fries less enjoyable.
#11 Hardee’s / Carl’s Jr. – A Missed Opportunity
Hardee’s (or Carl’s Jr., depending on your location) switched to natural-cut fries with the skin on. The idea was to make them taste more homemade, but they often lack the crispiness needed to stand out.
#10 Taco Bell – A Cheesy Twist on Fries
Taco Bell isn’t known for fries, but their Nacho Fries have a loyal fanbase. Coated in a flavorful seasoning blend, these fries bring cheesy, spicy goodness. Unfortunately, they’re only available as a limited-time menu item, leaving fans wanting more.
#9 Arby’s – Curly but Controversial
Arby’s is one of the few chains offering curly fries, earning them bonus points for uniqueness. However, some tasters noted an unpleasant oily residue left behind after eating, making them a bit too greasy for comfort.
#8 Burger King – A Solid but Forgettable Choice
Burger King’s fries are thicker than most, providing a satisfying bite. They’re crispy, salty, and reliable—but not particularly memorable. You won’t be disappointed, but you might not go out of your way to order them either.
#7 Wendy’s – Surprisingly Good Skinned Fries
Wendy’s natural-cut fries were a shocker. Usually, skin-on fries struggle with crispiness, but these managed to strike the perfect balance: crispy outside, soft inside. A strong contender in the fry game!
#6 Five Guys – Generous Portions, but Too Salty?
Five Guys takes fries seriously, cooking them in peanut oil for a distinct flavor. They also overfill the bag, giving you extra fries every time. The downside? Some batches end up too salty and greasy, making them overwhelming after a few bites.
#5 Chick-fil-A – Waffle Fry Perfection
Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries are a fan favorite. Their shape maximizes crunchiness, and they hold dipping sauces perfectly. Balanced in salt and oil, these fries rank high among the best.
#4 Raising Cane’s – The Ultimate Fry Pairing
Raising Cane’s menu is simple, but their crinkle-cut fries are a perfect match for their famous Cane’s Sauce. Alone, they’re solid, but with the sauce, they’re unbeatable!
#3 Del Taco – The Best Crinkle-Cut Fries
Del Taco’s crinkle-cut fries were a major win. They’re crispy, fluffy, and perfectly salted, without any greasy aftertaste. The best among crinkle-cut competitors!
#2 McDonald’s – The Classic Favorite
McDonald’s fries are legendary. A survey by CasinoReviews.net found that McDonald’s fries were the favorite in 32 U.S. states. Their perfectly cut, crispy texture and light seasoning make them almost addictive.
Once fried in beef tallow, McDonald’s later switched to vegetable oil, but they still add natural beef flavoring, keeping their signature taste intact.
#1 Checkers / Rally’s – The Underdog Champion
The biggest surprise? Checkers (or Rally’s) takes the top spot! Their fries are coated in a seasoned beer batter, giving them unmatched crunch and flavor. If you haven’t tried them yet, consider this your sign to do so!
Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Fries Winner?
While McDonald’s remains a fan favorite, the title for best fast food fries now belongs to Checkers/Rally’s. Their crispy, flavorful, perfectly seasoned fries have officially claimed the throne.
Did your favorite fries make the list? Let us know in the comments!
