I Tried Every Fast Food French Fry & Ranked Them Worst To Best
French fries are the perfect sidekick to any fast food meal, but not all spuds are the same. I’ve spent countless lunch breaks hunting for the ultimate fry: crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and seasoned just right.
From soggy disappointments to golden perfection, here’s my definitive ranking of fast food fries that’ll help you make the right choice on your next drive-thru run.
1. Sonic Drive-In: The Forgotten Fries
Sonic’s fries remind me of that kid in class nobody remembers at the reunion. Thin, pale, and desperately needing salt, these lackluster potato sticks consistently disappoint.
I once drove 20 minutes for a Sonic burger only to leave the fries untouched. Their best quality? They make excellent vehicles for Sonic’s array of dipping sauces – proof they can’t stand on their own merits.
2. Dairy Queen: Ice Cream’s Awkward Cousin
Who goes to DQ for fries? Nobody. These thick-cut potato logs often arrive lukewarm and limp, victims of a kitchen that prioritizes Blizzards over proper fry technique.
Last summer, I watched my fries turn soggy while waiting for my ice cream. The irony of Dairy Queen’s fries is that they’re best when dipped in their soft serve, proving even they know these spuds need help.
3. Burger King: The Royal Disappointment
Remember when BK revamped their fries in the ’90s? Those were the days. Today’s version bears the hollow ghost of that glory.
The strange coating they use creates an artificial crispness that quickly turns to cardboard. During a road trip last month, I actually checked if they’d given me the paper sleeve instead of the fries – they tasted that similar!
4. Jack in the Box: Straight-Cut Mediocrity
Jack may have mastered the art of bizarre commercials, but their regular fries remain firmly in the “meh” category. Not terrible, not memorable – just there.
The straight-cut options have all the personality of a cardboard cutout. Their redeeming quality? They stay hot longer than most competitors.
Pro tip: Skip these and go straight for their curly fries instead – that’s where the real magic happens.
5. White Castle: Tiny Burgers, Tinier Expectations
White Castle’s crinkle-cut fries are the definition of playing it safe. Not offensive, not special – just predictably adequate.
During my 2 AM slider run last weekend, these crinkle-cuts served their purpose: soaking up regrettable life choices. They’re crispy enough and salty enough, but they lack that special something that would make them memorable.
Perfect for 3 AM cravings, mediocre for any other time.
6. KFC: Chicken’s Underrated Sidekick
KFC’s secret isn’t just in their chicken – their fries deserve some spotlight too! These secret-seasoned spuds have a distinct flavor that separates them from basic fries.
I still mourn their potato wedges, but these successors aren’t half bad. The crispy exterior gives way to a fluffy center, and that signature KFC seasoning adds a savory kick that pairs perfectly with gravy.
Not destination-worthy, but a worthy companion to their famous chicken.
7. Shake Shack: Crinkle-Cut Controversy
Shake Shack’s crinkle-cuts are the hipsters of the fry world – some love them, others love to hate them. Their ridged surface creates the perfect crispy-to-soft ratio, though they can sometimes taste like they’re trying too hard.
During my last NYC trip, I found myself defending these polarizing potatoes to skeptical friends. The frozen-then-fried approach is controversial, but there’s something nostalgic about their cafeteria-style charm.
8. Wendy’s: Hot and Crispy Redemption
Wendy’s fry game changed forever when they introduced their “Hot & Crispy” upgrade. These natural-cut spuds with skin-on edges maintain their crunch longer than their soggy predecessors.
I’ll never forget dipping my first new-recipe fry into a Frosty – pure magic! The salt clings perfectly to the slightly rough exterior, creating a satisfying texture contrast.
Fun fact: Wendy’s spent two years perfecting this recipe after customers complained about their previous limp offerings.
9. Checkers/Rally’s: Bold and Unapologetic
Battered, seasoned, and absolutely loaded with attitude – Checkers fries don’t care about your diet plans! These coated beauties pack more flavor in one fry than some places manage in an entire meal.
My first Checkers experience had me questioning why I’d wasted years on bland fries. Their secret? A crispy coating that somehow stays crunchy even during the drive home.
Worth the trip even if you don’t want anything else on their menu.
10. Five Guys: Potato Overload
Five Guys doesn’t understand portion control, and I’m not complaining! These hand-cut, twice-fried potatoes come in a cup that’s merely a suggestion – the real serving spills gloriously into the bag.
During college, my roommate and I would split a “small” and still have leftovers. The peanut oil gives them a distinctive flavor that’s impossible to replicate.
Cajun style? Even better. Just be prepared for the grease – these aren’t for the faint of heart.
11. Popeyes: Cajun Spice Champions
Popeyes doesn’t play it safe, and their Cajun fries are proof. These orange-tinted treasures pack a peppery punch that wakes up your taste buds without overwhelming them.
Last Mardi Gras, I paired these with their chicken sandwich and was overwhelmed with happiness. The crispy exterior gives way to a perfectly fluffy center, while the seasoning creates a slow-building heat.
Even fry purists who normally skip seasonings make an exception for these beauties.
12. Taco Bell Nacho Fries: Mexican-Inspired Magic
Only Taco Bell could turn a limited-time offering into a cultural phenomenon. These bold, paprika-dusted fries break all the rules by being both Mexican-inspired and utterly delicious.
Their periodic disappearance from the menu only makes my heart grow fonder. The thick cut ensures a perfect potato-to-seasoning ratio, while the nacho cheese dipping sauce elevates them to legendary status.
The only tragedy? They’re not a permanent menu item.
13. Jack in the Box Curly Fries: Twisted Perfection
Whoever invented curly fries deserves a Nobel Prize, and Jack in the Box perfected the form. These spiralized spuds offer more surface area for that addictive seasoned coating that somehow enhances rather than masks the potato flavor.
My road trip ritual always includes these twisted treasures. The varied texture – from extra-crispy tips to tender curves – creates a fry experience that keeps you reaching for “just one more.”
They’re the reason I forgive Jack’s regular fries for being so mediocre.
14. Chick-fil-A Waffle Fries: Dipping Royalty
Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries are architectural marvels – those perfect grids catch sauce like they were designed by dipping engineers. Which they probably were.
My Sunday disappointment is real when I crave these and remember they’re closed. The waffle pattern creates the ideal balance of crispy edges and tender centers, while the subtle seasoning lets the potato shine.
Pro tip: Ask for them well-done for extra crispiness that’ll change your life.
15. McDonald’s: The Gold Standard
Some things become icons for a reason. McDonald’s fries have maintained their throne through decades of competition because they’re simply perfect when fresh.
That first bite from a piping hot batch, with the ideal salt-to-potato ratio and that distinctive flavor from their proprietary oil blend? Pure bliss. During a blind taste test with friends last year, everyone identified and preferred McDonald’s – even the fast food snobs!
They’re not just fries; they’re a cultural touchstone.