The Best Places To Eat French Fries In Every State

The humble potato is really one of the most versatile crops on Earth, but perhaps no form of the potato is more widespread — and more beloved — than the French fry. The fry is thought to have originated in Belgium in the 1600s, but America has really adopted fries as a central facet of our culture. And we all have our favorites. No, it's not McDonald's or Five Guys, although those both showed up repeatedly in our research. There will always be fast food favorites, but there are crispy, pillowy fried potato goodness of all varieties to try. Some states even hang their hat on fry-inspired food inventions, like New Jersey's disco fries of the fry-stuffed sandwich at Primanti Bros. in Pittsburgh.

Some fry facts may surprise you. For example, we all know Idaho produces the most spuds, but it's actually their neighbor North Dakota that has an annual French fry festival. Whether you like them curly, thick, sweet, truffled, or topped, we've rounded up the best spot for french fries in every U.S. state. Who knew your frying liquid of choice, from duck fat to peanut oil, made such a difference?

This local Anchorage legend won the Anchorage Daily News' Best of Alaska Burger in 2019, but don't sleep on the accompanying fries. Reviewers rave about the Cajun seasoning that puts these dive-friendly fries over the edge. Pair with a signature Cajun-seasoned burger or one of the loaded specialty burger creations. Tommy's opened in 2002 and is in the trendy Spenard neighborhood of Anchorage, Alaska's biggest city. It pulls inspiration from New Orleans and Philadelphian cuisine, so you're sure to find a flavorful meal that's right for you.

Maddie's Place is beloved in Arkansas for their crispy, fried seafood, po-boys, and of, course perfect french fries. We trust a local reviewer best, and both Rock City Eats and AY Magazine rank these fries in their top ten for being perfectly thin and crispy and coming out in a generous portion. Round it out with fried alligator bites or lentil and red beans and rice at this funky, family-friendly Cajun and Creole joint. They recently reopened after an extended COVID-related closure.

Fries are really one of the most versatile food vehicles out there. At Cuba Cuba, a popular local chain in Denver, mojo fries are the way to go. The Denver Post says these are perfect for garlic lovers, and they're thin-cut and served with housemade ketchup. Mojo sauce is typically made with garlic, oil, and citrus, and the fries get tossed and fried in that goodness as well as served with a side for dipping. This is one of the best places in Denver to get authentic Cuban food, which includes lots of beef and steak dishes, plantains, and more, all marinated and served with some more of that mojo. 

Delaware is all about its beach towns and seafood, especially crab. Matt's Fish Camp in Lewes is a popular seafood spot that combines its signature dish with fried potatoes for a steamy, crabby, flavorful dish. The Crabby Fries cost $11 and include Old Bay Fondue. It was Yelp's top pick for fries in the state, according to Business Insider. Yelper Darin K. says, "I upgraded from regular fries to Crabby Fries and that is the best $5 investment I have made in a longggg time."

Atlanta's Slutty Vegan is a buzzy, saucy, Black-owned and operated all plant-based restaurant. They make indulgent, stacked burgers made with Impossible meat, all served with either crinkle-cut or straight fries sprinkled with "slut dust," a savory and secret spice mix. This place has a huge social media following and has gotten lots of press attention, so go see what all the fuss is about if you're in Atlanta. There are three locations and a roving food truck that posts daily updates on Instagram on its whereabouts.

Considering Idaho is the potato capital of the world, this was a tough one to narrow down. But you know a restaurant dedicated to one thing better do it well, and that's the deal at Boise Fry Co. Their tagline is "burgers on the side," and the fry combination options boast six types of potatoes, five different cuts (homestyle, curly, shoestring, "po'balls"), nine scrumptious dipping sauces, and even different styles of salt to complement each fry. This may invite decision fatigue, in which case you can't go wrong with the Bourgeois fries, fried in duck fat and sprinkled with imported black truffle salt. Droool. 

Redditors are raving about HopCat where you can get Cosmik Fries (previously known as crack fries, updated to keep with the times), which even made Food Network's top ten fries in America back in 2015. You can get them O.G. — beer-battered, sprinkled with black pepper, and served with cheese sauce — or loaded with bacon and jalapeños. HopCat is a beer bar from Michigan, but Indianapolis is its first location outside of its home state. Listen to this Yelp reviewer: "GET THE FRIES! If you learn nothing else from this review, it's that HopCat has THE BEST fries I think I've ever had (and definitely don't skip out on the beer cheese sauce)."

This local Kansas City legend opened in a gas station in 1996 and has been a favorite ever since, now with three locations and nationwide shipping, though the fries don't make the trek. The Kansas City Star ran a bracket for best french fries in the city, and this spot took the cake. They also break down exactly what makes them great: They're fried skin-on and then coated in a barbecue-inspired mix of salt, brown sugar, garlic, onion, paprika, and beef flavor.

Thrillist explains this French fry variation as "puffed sticks of air-light potato-ey delight." Arnaud's, one of the oldest and classiest French restaurants in New Orleans, serves these pommes soufflées, and we just had to include them. They are typically sliced thin, fried twice, and puff up into puffy little pillows. The 100-year-old restaurant itself is a classic Nola experience in the heart of Bourbon Street and offers romantic dinners with a live jazz soundtrack.

Thrasher's is a classic beachfront fry shack with a storied history. It opened in 1929 in Ocean City and has had a line down the boardwalk ever since. Thrasher's takes potato quality very seriously and imports thousands and thousands of pounds of the humble spud from Idaho, then pre-soak them before cutting them with a specially designed machine. They're generously salted and served in a giant iconic bucket with one of the most classic and simple accompaniments, apple cider vinegar. The tangy and salty taste is perfect for beach weather, summer after summer.

The dedicated reviewers of Michigan Live tried a whopping 44 fries in the state. We have to take their word for it that Midland Burger Co., a local chain, is the best in the state. The fries are so popular they sell out many days! It opened as a food truck and has since opened an additional location in the Midland Mall. The truck roams around in the summer and comes out for special events, but you may not find it as much through Michigan's tough winters, so it's a good thing there's a new indoor location to satisfy your fry craving. 

Keifer's regularly wins various categories in the "Best of Jackson," including Best Hangover Food and Best Fries, which, let's be honest, are pretty much the same category, no? The Mediterranean restaurant serves a variety of gyro and pita sandwiches, but they are best known for their cottage fries, which are really just a whole potato sliced thin lengthwise. Those come topped with the accompanying feta dressing that's so popular, it's bottled and sold on its own. 

The Hoagieville Cheese Fries at the Montana Club won The Great Falls Tribune's best fries in 2018 for a pretty indisputable reason: "People love fries, and people love cheese," said Great Falls manager Tyrel Thurston. The Montana Club also has locations throughout the state, in Billings, Kalispell, Missoula, and Butte. Order a "huge platter" of the "secretly spiced indulgence" as an appetizer or right on top of your beef patty on the Cheese Fry Burger. These cottage-cut, cheese-drenched fries are certainly a local celebrity in their own right.

Beefy's in Reno is known for jaw-dropping, over-the-top burgers. We're talking, like, chicken on top of pastrami on top of bacon on top of onion rings on a burger. The fries, by contrast, are simple, with just this menu description: "Shoestring fries." But this spot is known for going above and beyond doesn't stop there, of course. You can get chili cheese fries, parmesan and herb fries, pizza fries, poutine, and a variety of other "fries" in the pickle, zucchini, and onion variety. The garlic fries are a favorite, with a generous helping of minced garlic thrown right on top, so be warned.

Fries are really just a humble canvas anyone can paint a masterpiece on, and New Jersey has done that with the invention of disco fries. Sort of an American take on poutine with brown gravy and melted mozzarella, Tick Tock Diner in Clifton, New Jersey, is widely credited as one of the originators of disco fries. Tick Tock Diner has even been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The steaming hot disco fries are best enjoyed after a late night.

Sure, New York City is home to dozens of top-rated fries. But we're diving deep into western New York, where Taffy's of Orchard Park has been serving hot dogs, milkshakes, and hand-cut fries for over 70 years. They make amazingly long curly fries along with dozens of milkshakes and other "summer comfort foods." They're only open for the summer season, and they pioneered outdoor dining before it was mandatory. Numerous Yelpers mention the "gliders," a.k.a. wooden porch-swing-like seating. Try to find the longest fry in your basket and top it with a squirt of vinegar from a nearby spray bottle.

North Dakota may be the only state on this list to actually host a French fry festival. It's called the Potato Bowl, and it's held in Grand Forks every year in conjunction with a big college football game. Tons of hot, fresh fries are served up for free. If you're not there in September for the Potato Bowl, JL Beers has locations throughout North Dakota, and people say not to sleep on their fries. Again, toppings rule: You can go simple with sea salt, Cajun, jalapeño cheddar, dill pickle, BBQ, or parmesan garlic seasonings. Or dress it up with bleu cheese. You can also get any of these flavorings on their fresh-cut potato chips, which is really just a fry in another form. 

The fries on the menu at Tucker's Onion Burger are refreshingly classic, so said by the Oklahoma Gazette. After all the seasonings and toppings and new shapes, these straightforward fries are crispy and tender. The restaurant reports that the potatoes are hand-selected, hand-cut, and fried in peanut oil, also a classic that many places have since shied away from due to food allergy concerns. An Echo reviewer also points out that the fries are only $2.59, but the portion size can be described as a "bucket," so you're getting your money's worth. The onion burger, by the way, is a local classic that originated during the Great Depression.

Another famous food that's done genius new things with French fries, Primanti Bros is known throughout Pittsburgh and beyond for putting french fries in its stacked sandwiches. The legend goes that a potato purveyor brought a truckload of potatoes to the restaurant, the chef fried them up and threw some on the sandwiches, and the truck drivers that frequented the joint loved it because they could eat it all on the go. The one-hand wonder is world-famous, but the local reporters at Patch Pittsburgh know the fries can stand up on their own as well. 

We appreciate The State for making this an easy decision. Grill Marks, a bistro with locations throughout the state, gives you the luxury of making one less choice in your day by serving a platter of fries three ways. There are skinny fries, fat fries, truffle parm, and sweet potato varieties. Then they kick it up a notch with loaded fries, chowder-topped fries, and crowd favorite blue cheese and pimento cheese fries. Pimento cheese is a staple in the south and melts perfectly over a bed of crispy skinny fries. 

The Tennessean calls the hand-cut fries at Riverside Grillshack and Über-Tuber Hand-Cut Fries the best in Nashville. On top of that, Über-Tuber is just a blast to say. The potato strips are lightly seasoned with just salt, pepper, and garlic. They're included with all sandwich orders and come with a variety of delicious dipping sauces (on the menu under "Tired of Ketchup?")

Ok, so "fry sauce" is the state condiment of Utah. It's just mayonnaise and ketchup mixed together, but it was "invented" by a Utah fast food chain in the 1940s and has been a point of state pride ever since. So we have the dipping sauce down, but as for the fries themselves? Let's keep the Utah pride going with a visit to the BYU Creamery in Provo. The Herald Extra starts their list off with these simple and fresh fries. The Creamery is an ice cream parlor/grocery store that's part of the Brigham Young University's Dining Services. If you ever dipped your McDonald's french fries in your soft serve as a kid, this just might be the spot for you.

So Ben's is a Washington, D.C., institution, but there's a location in Arlington, Virginia, now and they deserve a spot on this list. This 60-year-old Black-owned restaurant celebrates the African-American history of the D.C. region and has been visited by countless icons, including none other than President Barack Obama. Ok, on to the food: It's known best for its chili, of course, served on top of hot dogs and half-smokes (A DC hot-dog-esque specialty). Of course you're gonna get the chili cheese fries to get the true Ben's experience on top of the perfect crispy crunchy bed.

Charleston loves its cheese fries, and the most popular are the PG Fries from Sam's Uptown Cafe, a friendly and welcoming downtown pub. You can get your fries plain or with toppings. According to the Charleston Gazette-Mail, the creation came about by accident when customer asked for chili cheese fries, and the chef created the closest thing he could. They were a poorly kept secret until 2016 when they officially showed up on the menu. 

The Crowbar and Grill serves up classic American food in the college town of Laramie. Their fries get some extra attention though, tying for first place on a very diligently researched list from Her Campus. But we're here to discuss: Pad. Thai. Fries. These are the most famous of the Crowbar fries and come with a sweet and spicy peanut-based pad Thai sauce on top. Not something we would have thought of, but it sounds delicious nonetheless. In that same vein, you can try bulgogi fries (Korean beef and kimchi) or the more commonly seen parmesan truffle fries or gravy-topped poutine.