Sam and I started a tradition maybe a year ago that revolves around spontaneously going out for French fries, my favorite food. Say we’re driving home and nothing good is on the radio and the weather isn’t conducive to utilizing the features of a convertible top and you think to yourself, you know, a hot, crispy French fry would take this moment from Average to Very, Very Good.
When you get that feeling, you simply say, “Surfries!” and we go to the nearest, tastiest, or most convenient fry-producing institution. Last night we went to The Giant, a hamburger place in Lake Grove that has really great fries. They’re always hot and fresh, and something about their room temperature fancy ketchup packets is just right.
I’ve been recommended to visit Potato Champion, which is the next fry institution on my must-try list. Potato Champion is in that cart city—that parking lot full of food vendors downtown—and they serve something called Poutine: fries smothered in gravy and fresh cheese curds.
I want to go! Arrr!!! I want fries!!!! [I’m not done.] FRIIIIIESSSS!
In Portland's great food scene, I have yet to explore some superb institutions I know are waiting for me with a hot basket of sliced-up potatoes. Don't worry. I'm on my way.
Here's my rating of ten popular fry-makers:
(10 = least fav, 1 = most fav)
10. Applebee's - Just because I'm listing this institution does not mean I support it at all. This is a warning: I like nothing about Applebee's, including their cold stale fries. I'm sticking my tongue out right now.
9. Carl's Junior - Yes, these battered fries may have spice, but are always too greasy, leaving that filmy oil-coated feeling in your mouth.
8. Wendy's - Usually served nice and hot, these fries are a good shape and size, but aren't the most flavorful and can sometimes taste kind of fake.
7. Skyline Chili - I have more to say about this Ohio chili chain. I had a great time there with Janet and my Aunt Toni. The fries weren't bad--a good cut between shoestring and Wendy's-size. But Skyline, I just want to ask you about that monstrous pile of cheese. Is this some kind of trick? What are you trying to say? More importantly, what are you trying to do? With cocoa and cinnamon in this famous chili, I recommend going for the experience. If you can't decide between the famous coney or chili-cheese fries, flip a coin . . . or just get both. That's what we did.
6. McDonalds - That nostalgic shoe-string fry tastes pretty good, as processed as it may be. It will stay crispy on your car floor forever. I like to eat a wad of them dipped in McDonald's BBQ. Growing up, we called this "bubblegum." Don't know why. Props to this chain, my alma mater.
5. Del Taco - Gotta love the non-oven-baked-but-deep-fried crinkle fry served in a large soda cup. I'll go out of my way for fries here. It's like going to the circus.
4. Red Robin - Thick steak fries that taste so good (although are not consistantly well-prepared or hot depending on the service). But I love that all-you-can-eat-fry-basket idea. It keeps me loyal.
3. Lake Oswego Creamery - The service was excellent. A side of fries was not on the menu, but after an exhausting day and a painful trip to the dentist, I boldy asked for a side of fries and got it. Hot steak fries smothered in ketchup just hits the spot.
2. The Giant - I don't know why, but the two times I've had these fries I've felt extremely satisfied afterwards. This local delicassey is served super-hot and tastes amazing. Love the ketchup in the longer, black foil package at the table. Good pick.
1. That One Fish & Chips Place on the Coast of Whitby in the North of England - Yes, please. That's all I have to say.
Who makes your favorite fries?
13 comments:
My mouth is drooling after this post. I love french fries. Have you ever had Rally's french fries? I'm pretty sure they're my favorite. It has a different name in the South . . . oh yeah: Checkers. It's called Checkers in the South and Rally's in the Midwest, and I don't know if it is all the way out where you are. If it is, I recommend you try them. They don't have any sit down area (unless it's summer and you can sit on their picnic tables outside), but they do have two drive up windows and a walk-in window.
I love, love, love The Giant! I miss their huge dripping burgers. I can't say I remember that much about their fries, but I think I'll have to make a point of going there to try them out next time I'm in town. Now only if the Boni-Lynn was still around. That was a burger and fries place to die for, now replaced by Burgerville in West Linn. I don't care much for their fries. :-(
I COMPLETELY agree. Magpie in Whitby Abbey totally takes the cake!
I agree with Red Robin. Also, there is a place in Boulder, Edwards, (and soon to be Denver), CO called Larkburger. They serve shoestring fries cooked with truffle oil and parmesan. Their burgers are also cooked in truffle oil.
However, I gotta say that after discovering Sonic's onion rings recently, I have a new contender.
I LOVE McDonald's fries! But I also love malt vinegar on my fries, and they don't have it at McDonald's.
Check this out: http://health.yahoo.com/experts/eatthis/46018/americas-worst-french-fries-and-what-you-should-eat-instead/
You'll never see fries the same way again.
"Surfries!"
I LOVE it!
The most over-rated fries? In-N-Out. They have never been warm, let alone hot, and they are just tiny, little, bitty, less-than-bite-size things. Not satisfying AT ALL! It's like eating an entire serving of fries that should have been the last little left-overs at the bottom of a box of real size fries.
I forgot about In-N-Out! I don't like their fries either! Not very flavorful. Cold, stale, not very crispy. But other fries I like are Guru's and Spark's (in Provo) sweet potato fries. Burgerville's are decent. And I forgot to mention 5 Guys Burgers and Fries--I like those, but apparently they're pretty calorie heavy.
And malt vinegar on fries = amaaaazing! I should keep a bottle of it in the car for these occasions.
And as far as homemade goes, every now and then we bake homemade fries, but if we had a deep fryer it'd make it that much better . . . and that much worse. Authentic french fries will always be that cheap treat out for us.
mmmmm, fries.
I think I have the place for you:
http://www.boisefrycompany.com/
This is a restaurant that serves fries as the main event, with burgers on the side. I haven't been there yet, but maybe I will go RIGHT NOW. or in a few hours. Check out the myriad options on their menu.
This joint opened last year with the name Idaho Fry Company. They were promptly threatened with a suit by the Idaho Potato Commission, which apparently has a copyright on all things with "Idaho" and something potato-related in the name. Just some interesting historical facts for you.
I agree with In-N-Out--my experience with those was eating my bishopric 1st counselor;s leftovers late at night before an interview. I was starving to death. I kept eating them (you know me) only because I thought I was going to turn inside out if I didn't eat something. And I wanted something to go with the ketchup.
I REALLY REALLY like BYU Creamery fries, though I haven't had them for quite a while. The garlic ones dipped in Ranch dressing are quite a treat.
I dunno if you remember me but your hubs and my hubs were friends at BYU. You came to our wedding reception in LA. Oh, and I'm Amy. Anywho, considering I don't know the top three places, Red Robin is also my fave, too. Although Carl's Jr. has crisscut seasoned fries that are better than their regular fries. Have you tried them?
Right now I'm all about JCWs french fries. It's a burger place in Lehi and American Fork. They cook 'em twice! First they fry the potatoes, then they chill them quickly in ice cold water, then they fry them again! SOOO good. Leaves the center soft and flavor-rich while the outside is golden crisp and hot. YUM. Now I know what I'm getting for lunch today.
I didn't eat any fries at Whitby because I was too busy throwing bits of fish breading to (at?) the birds. Plus I was so cold I don't remember if the food was that good. It was just hot, which is what made it heavenly to me. Let's go back and I'll try the fries.
And if you must know, the best fries I EVER eat are made by hand in my very own kitchen by my awesome husband.
Oooh. I think any food made by husband (and not by me) tastes extra good. Mmm. Yeah, let's go back to Whitby! I'm in.
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