This Fast-Food Chain Has The Best French Fries, According To Fans

Last week, we battled it out over the best fast-food burger. Now, we’re onto the next one. Drum roll, please… the best fast-food fries.

Obviously, the crème de la crème of fries is Chick-fil-A, though McDonald’s ranks a close second. Of course, not everyone at Delish agrees with me, so we asked the public for their thoughts. And just like with the best fast-food burger survey, we had to limit it to only nine spots. After all, there are too many burger and chicken chains to cover. But (!!) we did include the most popular spots, like Shake Shack, Wendy’s, Five Guys, Burger King, and more.

Onto the results! Unsurprisingly, most users favored McDonald’s as their top choice. However, a few pointed out that McDonald’s fries are only perfect when served hot. “McDonald’s when they are hot—you can’t beat them!” one person wrote. As a longtime eater at the chain, I can agree: if the fries aren’t served hot hot, they just don’t hit the same.

I was shocked that few chose Chick-fil-A as their number one. In fact, outside of McDonald’s, Arby’s was everyone’s next top pick. “Arby’s curly fries and it’s not even close. The modern world is riddled with salt, and adding more doesn’t make it better. Looking at you, McDonald’s,” commented one user.

Another chimed in, agreeing with, “Arby’s. Always Arby’s.” But some said it has to be the crinkle fries—not the curly ones. However, a few fans disagreed, sparking yet another debate: Arby’s crinkle fries vs. curly fries. A rivalry in the making.

Other fry lovers said that while Wendy’s fries are decent, they’re perfect for dipping in a chocolate or vanilla Frosty. One user even stated they only buy Wendy’s fries to dip them in a Frosty.

In-N-Out, Five Guys, and Burger King got a few minor votes of their own. Whataburger, which wasn’t featured in the survey, was mentioned throughout. “I’m surprised Whataburger isn’t included,” a commenter noted. “Other than fresh Mickey D’s, Whataburger is the only other true option.”

Ultimately, the winner of the French fry competition seems to go to McDonald’s. Which, again, isn’t shocking. There are a lot of things McDonald’s makes that are just okay, but their fries? No ma’am. You can never go wrong with a side of Mickie D’s fries.

What are your go-to fast-food french fries? Let us know in the comments.

Mel Curry (she/her) is the current assistant editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers everything from lifestyle to politics. You can often find her watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta or discovering local coffee roasters. Before joining Cosmo, she was an editorial assistant at Hearst Magazines, writing for Women’s Health, Elle, and more. Follow her on Instagram and the bird app aka Twitter.