In a recent fast food fry test, beloved burger chain In-N-Out received criticism for their fries being categorized as “stale, room-temp matchsticks” that lacked crispiness. The experts at Eat This, Not That! acknowledged that the fries are freshly cut using Kennebec potatoes, but pointed out that In-N-Out’s aversion to frying the product twice or blanching them before cooking ultimately led to their disappointing ranking of second from the bottom.
Five Guys, known for their well-done burgers and high prices, also took a hit in the fry test, landing at number nine out of thirteen on the list. The fresh-cut, twice-cooked fries at Five Guys were criticized for being greasy and among the least healthy fast food fries available. In contrast, McDonald’s fries received the highest marks for their irresistibly crispy exterior, perfect amount of salt, and ability to steal the spotlight from everything else on the menu.
Wendy’s and Arby’s claimed the second and third spots, respectively, with Wendy’s fresh potatoes rotated seasonally for optimal freshness and Arby’s popular curly fries seasoned with a blend of onion powder, cornmeal, garlic powder, baking soda, and other spices. Chick-fil-A’s waffle-cut fries came in at number five, but were bested by the crinkle-cuts at Shake Shack, which were referred to as some of the best in the category by the testers.
The full list of best fast food fries for 2024 includes McDonald’s at the top spot, followed by Wendy’s and Arby’s Curly Fries. Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell Nacho Fries, Shake Shack, Culver’s, Five Guys, Sonic Groovy Fries, WingStop, In-N-Out, and Arby’s Crinkle Cut round out the remaining rankings. McDonald’s was praised for their undeniable and irresistible fries that consistently outshine other menu items, while Wendy’s and Arby’s were also recognized for their fresh and flavorful options.
Ultimately, In-N-Out and Five Guys received criticism for their less-than-stellar fry offerings, with In-N-Out’s fresh but undercooked fries failing to impress critics. McDonald’s emerged as the clear winner, with their perfectly crispy and salted fries stealing the spotlight. Wendy’s and Arby’s also earned praise for their fresh and flavorful fries, while Chick-fil-A and Shake Shack secured spots in the top rankings as well. The overall rankings provide insight into the best and worst fast food fries offered at popular chains in 2024.
