A salty debate: Why we can never agree on the perfect french fries

Photo of author

| Published:

Debates are heating up over what makes the ultimate french fries and the discussions show no sign of cooling off. Whether you’re a straight-cut enthusiast or a defender of the potato tornado, one thing’s for sure: We’ll never agree on the perfect fries, and that’s exactly why we love them. But a little friendly argument won’t hurt, right?

A delicious pile of golden French fries with a sprig of parsley on top rests next to a small bowl of ketchup, all set on a white wooden surface.
The battle is on for the perfect french fries, and it’s sizzling hot. Don’t get salty when people bat an eye on your favorite. Photo credit: Depositphotos.

The cultural impact of french fries

Ask any American about their favorite french fries, and you’re bound to end in an argument. Everyone has their favorite, from the best shape to the ideal seasoning — and no one’s willing to budge. These humble spuds have become the ultimate guilty pleasure and a delicious topic of debate around the fast-food table.

The french fry isn’t just a side dish in the United States, it’s a cultural icon. National Geographic has found that an average American eats almost 30 pounds of french fries every year; that’s 77 servings of large McDonald’s fries. These numbers might not be as shocking as they seem, especially if you’re also guilty of stuffing a large amount in one sitting. Despite a 2018 New York Times article pointing out french fries to be unhealthy, we can’t deny they have become a staple in family barbecues, late-night drive-thrus and diner counters.

Which shape is better?

Ever since Thomas Jefferson ordered potatoes to be served in a French manner with his White House meal in 1802, several cultures have added their own spin on this savory treat. Today, fries come in countless shapes and sizes, from standard dippable sticks to zigzag crinkles and even smiley faces. It’s no wonder that this classic American side dish has garnered passionate fanbases and detractors.

Although some argue that the classic straight-cut fries are a drama-free choice, others might say this is a bit boring. Mashed has ranked straight-cut fries as the best french fry cut, followed by the genius-shaped waffle fries that can hold just the right amount of sauce. If you’re a curly tornado loyalist, you might need to take a stand as this comes dead last on the list. And thick-cut steak fries are the go-to option when looking for what would go well with your garlic butter steak bites. Whatever side you’re on, the standard fries reign supreme for their crispy simplicity.

Flavor feud

What makes French fries better? Seasoning. From the ever-reliable salt and pepper to the rich and tangy ranch powder, everyone has a preference for their fries. But choosing the best spice might not apply to all as this still depends on personal taste and the kinds of fries you’re having.

Cinnamon is better suited for sweet potato fries while mushroom seasoning powder is rich in umami, earthy flavor, and is perfect for truffle fries but might raise eyebrows from mushroom skeptics. Avid fry fanatics will also contend that Cajun seasoning is the undisputed winner for adding bold flavor with just the right heat, perfect for elevating french fries to perfection.

And while we’re on seasonings, can everyone agree that ketchup is the best dip for french fries? The Belgians might beg to differ, as they dip their fries in mayonnaise, and people in France prefer mustard. For more exotic twists, the Malaysians eat their fries with chili sauce, and the Japanese sometimes flavor theirs with green curry or soy sauce. What even is unsalted, low-carb French fries?

Which fast-food french fry is the best?

According to a January 2025 article published in Yahoo Life, the best-selling item of McDonald’s is — surprisingly — their french fries. But is it the best fast-food french fries? Quite surprisingly, in 2024, Delish ranked this fast-food giant’s most popular menu item second, just next to the beer-battered fries of Checkers and Rally’s. The underdog’s spuds are seasoned in a savory, salty spice blend guaranteed to satisfy even the harshest critics. And if you’re curious, the last on the list is In-N-Out’s freshly cut fries, described as “always limp and a little too soft.”

Who makes the best french fry?

French fries may be a global delicacy, but the dispute of who’s the best fry maker is a polarizing subject, and Belgians arguably take the crown. While France and Belgium claim to have invented fries, Belgians have perfected the art with their thick-cut, double-fry technique using Bintje potatoes. The Netherlands might give them a run for their money with their thicker-cut fries and endless dipping sauces, but Belgians’ obsession with fries — often served as a meal — solidifies their reputation. One might say, you haven’t truly tasted french fries until you have them in Belgium. 

Is it French?

Who invented french fries? You might say it’s obvious based on its name, but nobody actually knows. France and Belgium both stake a claim, but the story is much more complicated than figuring out if that TikTok cleaning hack you saw will cause your microwave to explode.

According to a Tasting Table article, Belgium claims villagers fried potatoes in winter when fish was scarce, and American soldiers named them French fries in World War I because of Southern Belgium’s French-speaking population. However, French cookbooks mentioned fried potatoes as early as 1795, though it was not specified if they were the fries we know today.

The origin of french fries is hotly debated, but calling them as such is uniquely American. In France and Belgium, they’re called “pommes frites” or fried potatoes, while the Brits call them chips. Regardless of their origin, this delightful snack is universally loved by many.

Settling the debate

Are you a member of the wedge-cut fan club or an avid supporter of the straight-cut cult? Wherever you belong, this golden-fried spud will be a household staple carried on through generations. French fries have proven that perfection is overrated when a guilty pleasure tastes this good.

Zuzana Paar is the visionary behind four inspiring websites: Amazing Travel Life, Low Carb No Carb, Best Clean Eating and Sustainable Life Idea. As a content creator, recipe developer, blogger and photographer, Zuzana shares her diverse skills through breathtaking travel adventures, healthy recipes and eco-friendly living tips. Her work inspires readers to live their best, healthiest and most sustainable lives.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.