Best French Fries in NYC

What is more delicious--and more addicting--than the perfect French fry? But with so many soggy, limp, burnt or tasteless fries out there, the search for the perfect potato can prove difficult. Luckily, we have our five favorite French fries in NYC, with something for every budget and taste. From thin and crispy to light and fluffy, these win the fries prize.

Want a burger to go with your fries? Check out our list of best burgers in NYC!

Pommes Frites

Only in NYC would you have a restaurant solely devoted to the art of the fry. But stop by this hole-in-the-wall storefront in the East Village and you’ll see why the shop continues to thrive, despite having only one dish on the menu. These are technically Belgian-style frites, served in a paper cone, cut thickly and double-fried. The variety is in the dipping sauces: Pommes Frites serves over 25, from plain ketchup to wasabi mayo.

Price: $4.50, $1 each for additional sauces 123 Second Ave, Manhattan; (212) 674-1234
Balthazar

For the classic French fry experience, head to Keith McNally’s famed bistro Balthazar. The fries are the ideal width, cut evenly with enough crispy golden shell on the outside and plenty of light and fluffy potato on the inside. They’re served with mayonnaise and Dijon mustard, which French foodies like to pair together for the perfect bite. Pair it with one of their famous steaks and you’ll be transported to Paris.

Price: $8.50 80 Spring St, Manhattan; (212) 965-1785

Rare Bar

One of the beauties of the French fry is the many shapes it takes: shoestring, waffle, curly, classic. Can’t decide? Come to Rare Bar, where the fry tasting basket offers fries in all forms. Not only do they vary the style of fry, the folks at Rare Bar also include new types of potatoes, from the often-ignored sweet potato to the classic russet. Enjoy them with unusual dipping sauce pairings, including honey maple and Mexican chili ketchup.
Price: $10 Fashion 26 Hotel, 152 West 26th St, Manhattan; (212) 807-7273 Affinia Shelburne Hotel; 303 Lexington Ave, Manhattan; (212) 481-1999

Five Guys

It may be a chain, but Five Guys consistently produces top-notch French fries at a level that outshines most fancy NYC restaurants, and at a price that should make them blush. The potatoes come from a farm in Idaho, and unlike most fast food joints, Five Guys leaves the skins for a more rustic, less processed feel; they’re served in a paper bag, after all. A bit softer than the other fries on this list, you can order yours salted or “Cajun style” with a bit of heat.

Price: $3.19 Various locations; see fiveguys.com for details

The Harrison

Perhaps the most raved-about New York fry of them all, the Harrison’s potatoes are a dieter’s nightmare—and a fry-lover’s dream. Thin and crispy, with a center of creamy potato, they get their delicious flavor and crackly texture from the duck fat they’re finished with. Served with a hearty portion of vinegar mayo, these are tangy, crispy, and the perfect addition to any meal (or sometimes, the whole meal itself).
Price:$9 355 Greenwich St # 1, Manhattan; (212) 274-9310