Fast Food French Fries Ranked From Worst To Best By Reviewers

Dairy Queen – The Ice Cream Giant’s Food Flop

When it comes to french fries, Dairy Queen consistently ranks at the absolute bottom of every major reviewer’s list. Multiple food critics and ranking sites place DQ’s fries dead last, with widespread agreement that they’re forgettable at best and offensive at worst. These fries arrive looking golden and crispy in their cute little DQ box, but something strange happens during your first few bites – expecting a crunch, your teeth simply cut through the fried tuber as if it was a strip of butter, while your tongue searches for something resembling flavor.

At their worst, the fries are limp, cold, and under-salted, and at their best, they’re forgettable – it’s safe to say that most people stick to the ice cream when they go to Dairy Queen. The consistency issues make things even worse, as customers report wildly different experiences across locations.

White Castle – Slider Success, Fry Failure

White Castle can be pretty hit or miss regardless of what you order, with sliders sometimes being tasty and other times lukewarm and mushy – but worse could be said about the fries, which are nearly always limp, saltless, and devoid of any crispiness. Chatter on Reddit suggests that White Castle is only good if you’re in some state of altered consciousness. The fries themselves have apparently gotten worse over time, with discussions about whether the chain changed their recipe around 2020.

Customers complain about reliably terrible fries that are the bland, soggy, flavorless kind that no potato should be forced to become. Adding insult to injury, the chain has even started replacing some fry cooks with robots, which doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in quality improvement.

In-N-Out Burger – Fresh Cut Doesn’t Always Mean Best

This might be the most controversial entry on any fry ranking list. For as feverishly popular as In-N-Out is, especially for its burgers, it remains true that the fries are divisive, to put it mildly – for every chef endorsement, there’s another list ranking them among the worst. Yes, they’re famously and proudly cut fresh using Kennebec potatoes, but the fact that they’re also infamously averse to frying them twice or blanching them ahead of time ensures that they turn into stale, room-temp matchsticks in mere minutes.

The main issue with In-N-Out Burger’s fries is textural – since the fries are tossed into the fryer right after the potato has been sliced into straws, the frying process is altered by the potato’s remaining moisture. Every batch of fries at In-N-Out is fresh cut with each order, which may sound like a nice idea until you realize that method is inherently going to produce an inferior product compared to a batch that’s been soaked in water for a bit to remove the starch that inhibits crispiness.

Sonic Drive-In – Missing the Mark on Multiple Fronts

Sonic has an overwhelmingly large menu, so not everything is going to be the star of the show – whereas the chili cheese coney and chicken tender dinner is worth getting, the fries definitely leave quite a bit to be desired as they’re nothing special, just your run-of-the-mill, standard-cut fries that somehow are never fresh. The chain seems to focus so much on their expansive drink menu and unique offerings that the basic fries get lost in the shuffle.

It’s definitely best to opt for one of Sonic’s tastier sides, like the onion rings or tater tots, and skip any french fry disappointment. However, their newer Groovy Fries have shown some improvement, offering a crunchier crinkle-cut experience that performs better than their standard offerings.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen – Cajun Disappointment

If you go to Popeyes and order fries over rice and beans, you’re doing something very wrong – the Cajun Fries always leave reviewers wanting more in the heat department, and they tend to be light and airy to a point where it feels like you’re somehow being robbed of potato. Church’s Chicken and Popeyes are often cited in bottom rankings by various reviewers. This is particularly disappointing given the chain’s reputation for bold, flavorful food.

The seasoning that should be Popeyes’ strength somehow falls flat when it comes to their fries. Many reviewers expected the same kick that makes their chicken famous, but instead found themselves with underwhelming spuds that don’t live up to the Cajun promise.

KFC – Chicken Chain’s Crispy Failure

KFC is often rated poorly for fast-food fries in various customer reviews and rankings – despite its status as a fried chicken powerhouse, the chain’s side offering left much to be desired according to customer feedback. This ranking is especially shocking considering KFC’s expertise with fried foods. While some don’t really get the hype about KFC when Popeye’s exists, the chain’s fries are actually pretty impressive, leaning crunchy and well done with a rustic flavor sort of like potato wedges, thanks to the secret blend of herbs and spices they’re seasoned with.

The inconsistency in reviews suggests that KFC’s fry quality varies significantly by location, which might explain the polarizing opinions about their potato offerings.

McDonald’s – The Fallen Golden Standard

Here’s where things get complicated. In some recent rankings, McDonald’s – the brand long synonymous with fast-food French fries – has received surprisingly low ratings from reviewers. Yet other reviewers still place McDonald’s at or near the top of their rankings. In vast experience eating at McDonald’s, reviewers have learned that the fries are only good when they’re fresh – old fries from other fast food chains are still pretty edible, but from McDonald’s they become stale, stiff and frigid in mere minutes.

Many customers have wondered why McDonald’s fries don’t taste like they used to – it’s not all in your head, as in 1990, McDonald’s began using vegetable oil rather than beef tallow to fry its fries, and since then, most devoted customers have been able to tell the difference. The real weakness at McDonald’s is the lack of consistency – when they are fresh they are the best fries in fast food, but most of the time you’re going to get an order that has been sitting under the heat lamp a bit too long.

Burger King – The Inconsistent Crown Holder

Burger King has also received low ratings in various reviews, reinforcing ongoing criticism of its fries despite repeated recipe overhauls. However, other taste tests tell a different story. In the fast-food battle between McDonald’s and Burger King, there is no doubt who reigns supreme when it comes to french fries according to some reviewers – the Burger King fries were superior on all levels, with a thicker cut, lightly browned and perfectly crisp.

Burger King fries are perfectly fine, but it’s hard to get to the top of the list when you meet that description based on the stiff competition they’re facing – most people would tell you the best part of ordering fries from BK is getting an unexpected onion ring. The chain’s frequent menu changes and recipe tweaks seem to have created an inconsistency problem that frustrates customers.

Chick-fil-A – Waffle Fry Controversy

Waffle fries may be a polarizing cut, but we can all admit that Chick-fil-A does them well. While some reviewers don’t get the Chick-fil-A hype, they gave these spuds a fair shake – their flavor was similar to Wendy’s fries because the potatoes’ skin is partially left on, which alleviated some of their blandness, while the waffle cut ensured crunch in every bite. The unique shape certainly sets them apart from the competition.

However, waffle fries have their critics too. Some reviewers consider them gimmicky rather than genuinely superior, and there’s debate about whether the shape actually improves the eating experience or just looks different for the sake of being different.

Shake Shack – Premium Price, Mixed Results

Shake Shack has had a wild ride in recent years with opening and closing stores, but its burgers might be divisive while its crinkle cut fries stand out as some of the best – in taste tests, the fries earned top marks for the “perfectly crispy shell” and being “soft and light on the inside,” plus they are “salty without being too salty”. For Shake Shack’s fries being the priciest for their size, they weren’t exactly revelatory and reminded some of freezer fries you can make at home, though they were very tender, lightly crisp on the outside and generously salted.

The chain’s commitment to fresh, hand-cut russets since 2013 shows in the quality, but the premium pricing makes expectations higher. When they hit the mark, they’re excellent, but the value proposition remains questionable for many customers.

Jack in the Box – Variety Brings Mixed Success

Jack in the Box earns some serious points because it offers not one but two varieties of fries: thin, standard-cut fries and seasoned curly fries – the chain certainly doesn’t do either fry the best of the best, but for what it’s worth, both varieties are pretty good. With such a wide variety of deep fried snacks on the menu, it was surprising that Jack In the Box wasn’t higher on lists – the curly fries are superior and imply a more smoky, paprika-forward barbecue flavor profile, though the flavors were a bit on the muted side.

The choice between two different fry styles gives customers options, which some appreciate. However, neither option truly excels, leaving Jack in the Box in a middle-of-the-pack position despite the variety advantage.

Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s – Decent but Unremarkable

These fries are the definition of just fine – there’s nothing really bad to say about them as they’re your standard natural-cut fry, but there’s no pizzazz, and there’s no real redeeming quality that sets these fries apart from the endless sea of natural-cut fast food french fries. The chain falls into the trap of being perfectly adequate without being memorable in any way.

From a nutritional standpoint, they perform better than many competitors, but taste and texture-wise, they’re the definition of middle-of-the-road. Sometimes being inoffensive isn’t enough in the competitive world of fast-food fries.

Arby’s – The Curly Fry Champions

Arby’s is a chain that isn’t afraid to do its own thing and zig against the zag – unlike any of the other prolific fast-food brands, Arby’s made the wise decision a long time ago to go curly, seasoning the spirals with a tasty blend of onion powder, cornmeal, garlic power, baking soda, and other spices, resulting in a shape, texture, and seasoning unlike anything else you’ll find in a drive-thru. Fans on Reddit call them the best fries ever, and the curly fries have earned their rightful reputation.

However, there’s a catch. The worst fast food crinkle-cut fry comes from Arby’s – these things are bland, rock hard because no one orders them and they just sit under a heat lamp for hours, and don’t taste all that different from those frozen pre-cooked fries you can buy from the market. The key is sticking with the curly fries and avoiding their crinkle-cut alternative.

Wendy’s – The Skin-On Success Story

The honor of the best overall french fry goes to Wendy’s according to multiple reviewers – these fries were made with unpeeled potatoes, so there was a little bit of potato skin at the end of each fry for texture, crisped to perfection and perfectly salted, and without the bells and whistles of a special shape, fancy dipping sauces or bold seasonings, these were simply perfect, classic fries at their best. Many love the earthy complexity of skin-on fries, so they’re partial to those from Wendy’s – while they do start frozen, Wendy’s fries are consistently fresh, especially since the chain launched its Hot & Crispy Fry Guarantee in 2021.

Wendy’s comes into the fry game in a respectable position with plenty of favorable comments from customers who compare these fries with McDonald’s – they get kudos for turning out consistently good fries that are just the right amount of crispiness on the outside and pillowy softness on the inside, plus dunking your fries in a Frosty gives them a definite advantage.

Five Guys – The Fresh-Cut Heavyweight Champion

Five Guys makes the best French fries in all of fast food and it’s not even close according to dedicated reviewers – like In-N-Out, these are natural potatoes that are cut in-restaurant, but they are sourced from different farms across Idaho, and these fries are twice fried, which is the secret to the perfect crunchy slightly cavernous exterior that houses a delicious mix of buttery, earthy flavors and a soft and fluffy texture. The boardwalk-style fries at Five Guys are fried in peanut oil and sprinkled either with salt or a hearty dose of Cajun seasoning, with each order of fries coming in a 12-oz cup plus an extra scoop of spuds in the accompanying paper bag.

However, not everyone agrees with the Five Guys love. Some reviewers find Five Guys’ fries to be a bit much – a little too salty, a tad more greasy than preferred, and finishing a serving leaves them feeling gross as the version is just too heavy. The generous portions and rich preparation can be overwhelming for some palates.

Checkers/Rally’s – The Unexpected Champion

Multiple major food publications have a dark horse winning first place: Checkers (or Rally’s, depending on where you live) – the fries at this chain are beer battered and seasoned in a savory, salty spice blend, and they’re so crispy, so flavorful, and so satisfying. There’s a reason they bag their fries and sell them in the supermarket freezer aisle: they’re just that good.

In contrast to those who hail McDonald’s with reluctance, Redditors proudly hail Checkers and Rally’s as having the best fries – “While I completely understand the calls for McDonald’s, etc., to be the best fry there can be only one true ruler of the fry game: Rally’s/Checkers,” with another declaring they can’t even remember what the rest of the menu looks like since they’ve only ever gotten the fries. There’s a Reddit post that sums up what people think: “Rallys ha[s] the best seasoned fries in fast [f]ood. I stuff them in a pillow and smell them til I fall asleep. Last night it took 8 hours.”

The seasoning blend that makes these fries famous creates an addictive quality that keeps customers coming back. Unlike many other chains that focus on simplicity, Checkers embraces bold flavors that actually deliver on their promise, making them the surprise winner in the increasingly competitive world of fast-food fries.