McDonalds is a standard, but I prefer Arby’s seasoned curly fries
Wendy’s recently changed their fries and they’re good enough, but prefer Smash fries.
(Special mention goes to Canadian KCF, which offers fries and gravy instead of mashed potatoes and gravy. I don’t know if their US fries are different because I don’t mess with that if mashed 'taters are an option.)
Five guys and Checkers
Steak 'n Shake and Popeyes
Overall, if I were choosing a place based solely on the fries: Smash > Five Guys > Popeyes > Arby’s
The top two spots were tricky. I like the 5 guys fresh cut style, but Smash mixes a traditional thin cut fast food fry with rosemary. And they don’t make things weird by giving you more than you can or should eat.
The only one I actively dislike is Chick-fil-A, but some of the other offerings are ‘meh’ enough that they need ketchup.
Missing entries: Penn Station and Skyline. They’re both regional, but I like both of them over most of the other offerings. Penn Station has fresh-cut style and Skyline’s fries are thin and crispy.
Top two picks from each row:
Overall, if I were choosing a place based solely on the fries: Smash > Five Guys > Popeyes > Arby’s
The top two spots were tricky. I like the 5 guys fresh cut style, but Smash mixes a traditional thin cut fast food fry with rosemary. And they don’t make things weird by giving you more than you can or should eat.
The only one I actively dislike is Chick-fil-A, but some of the other offerings are ‘meh’ enough that they need ketchup.
Missing entries: Penn Station and Skyline. They’re both regional, but I like both of them over most of the other offerings. Penn Station has fresh-cut style and Skyline’s fries are thin and crispy.