Rank the best fast food fries — and one beloved chain gets the cold shoulder: ‘Stale Matchstick’

And you’re out!

Beloved burger chain In-N-Out has taken a new test of French fries – with critics categorizing the “disruptive” side as “stale, room-temperature matchsticks”.

“Yes, they are famously and proudly fresh cut, using Kennebec potatoes,” the fast food experts at Eat This, Not That! is explained.

But they say about the famous Southern California brand — now found everywhere from the Pacific Northwest to Texas and soon, Tennessee — the restaurant’s “notorious” reluctance to double-fry their high-quality product, or even blanch them before they hit the fat. seal their fate.

The not-so-hot finds earned In-N-Out a second-from-bottom ranking.

And it’s not the only chain to earn a good tsk-ing from taste testers — seemingly Teflon Five Guys, with its well-made burgers, high prices and seemingly unwavering popularity, got something good, ranking all the way to No. 9 on the unlucky thirteenth list.

While embracing the love of the boardwalk-style dessert, the fresh-cut, twice-cooked product earned something of a cool for being “notoriously on the greasy side,” with particular focus on their status as some of the ” least healthy fast food fries” that exists, according to the pros on the site.

And who can do no wrong, roster-wise, anyway? McDonald’s, that’s it – the fat knights at the Golden Arches earned top marks here, with insiders declaring that “fries often steal the limelight from everything else on the menu, including burgers.”

Fresh potatoes are used, with styles rotated year-round to “guarantee seasonal freshness,” the eaters explained, calling the end result “light and starchy on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside (with just the right amount of salt to lick fingers. supremacy)”.

“McDonald’s French fries are undeniable and irresistible,” they claimed.

Relatively unsung menu board hero Wendy’s came in second, while underdog Arby’s managed to earn bronze at No. 3 for their curly fries.

The coveted spiral seasoning—”a delicious blend of onion powder, cornmeal, garlic, baking soda and other spices”—bested other trendier offerings like Chick-Fil-A’s wraps, cut with waffles, which had to be satisfied with no. 5 place.

Hometown legend Shake Shack received a nod for its crease cuts at No. 7 – referred to as “some of the best” in the category by testers.

The best fast food fries of 2024, according to critics

1. McDonald’s
2. Wendy’s
3. Arby’s curly fries
4. Burger King
5. Chick-fil-A
6. Taco Bell Nacho Fries
7. Shake Shack
8. Culver’s
9. Five Boys
10. Sonic Groovy Fries
11. WingStop
12. In-N-Out
13. Arby’s Crinkle Cut