Four Chefs Pick Arby's Curly Fries as the Best Fast-Food Fries

McDonald's is widely known for its French fries, but the chain finished second in Allrecipes' fast-food French fry taste test last year. Seeking a professional perspective, Allrecipes asked four chefs from across the United States to evaluate leading fast-food fries based on texture, seasoning and overall quality.

The chefs also identified the qualities they consider essential in a great French fry before unanimously selecting their favourite fast-food option and recommending the best sauces to pair with it. 
 

Allrecipes' Panel of Fast Food Fry-Judging Chefs

The panel included Matt Ayala, executive chef at Francois Frankie in Chicago, Illinois; Elliot Bell, chef-owner of Charlie’s in St. Helena, California; Dominic Iannarelli, chef-owner of Prime & Providence in West Des Moines, Iowa; and Vivek Surti, founder and owner of Tailor in Nashville, Tennessee. 
 

Qualities of the Best Fast Food French Fries

According to the chefs, the best fast-food French fries combine three essential qualities: crispiness, seasoning and serving temperature. Crispiness topped the list, with Bell noting that the ideal fry should be crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and properly seasoned. The chefs also agreed that potatoes provide a blank canvas for flavour, making seasoning—particularly salt—a key element.

Temperature was considered equally important. Ayala, who serves fries alongside several dishes at Francois Frankie, said hot, crispy fries help maintain the quality of the overall meal, while cold fries quickly lose their appeal.

Matt Ayala, executive chef at Francois Frankie:

"Even though the fries are secondary, I make sure they are always served hot and crispy to balance the integrity of the entire dish. A lot of people love McDonald’s fries, but if they are cold, they’re a huge letdown."

The Best Fast Food French Fries, According to Chefs

With runner-up honours going to both McDonald’s and Rally’s/Checkers, all four chefs selected Arby’s curly fries as the best fast-food French fries.

Surti said the curly shape adds both enjoyment and extra surface area for seasoning and crispiness, while the batter coating creates additional texture. Iannarelli also praised the fries, noting that their relative rarity compared with larger chains adds to their appeal. Bell and Ayala agreed that Arby’s consistently delivers the combination of texture, seasoning and temperature they consider essential.

Vivek Surti, founder and owner of Tailor:

"Arby’s is the best. First, they’re curly, so they’re automatically more fun. The seasoning they add to the curly fries is more than just salt, so there’s more flavor. Arby’s also puts their curly fries through a batter, which results in more texture and bits that get crispy."

Dominic Iannarelli, chef-owner of Prime & Providence:

"Arby’s seasoned curly fries are my favorite because so few places have them."

Elliot Bell, chef-owner of Charlie’s:

"The seasoned curly fries are top tier because the seasoning is so flavorful. Plus, the shape of the fry allows it to get super crispy."

Matt Ayala:

"They always come out hot and crispy. This is a must."

The Best Dipping Sauces for Arby’s Curly Fries

While the chefs agreed that Arby’s curly fries stand well on their own, they also recommended several sauces to accompany them. Their top choices included Horsey Sauce, ketchup, ranch, cheddar cheese sauce and Arby’s Sauce.

Surti favoured the classic pairing of fries and ketchup, while Iannarelli highlighted the chain’s cheddar cheese sauce as a worthwhile addition. The chefs also praised Arby’s signature sauce for its balance of sweet, smoky and tangy flavours.