Nothing beats the taste of crispy, golden fries made from real potatoes that were just cut in the kitchen. While many fast-food places use frozen fries, some restaurants still do things the old-fashioned way.
Fresh-cut fries have a better texture, more flavor, and that satisfying crunch you can’t get from frozen ones. Here are eight restaurants that refuse to compromise on quality when it comes to their famous fries.
1. Five Guys
Walking into any Five Guys location, you’ll notice bags of potatoes stacked near the kitchen. Staff members hand-cut these potatoes daily, creating fries with uneven edges that crisp up beautifully.
The restaurant posts signs showing exactly where their potatoes come from that day. Each batch gets cooked in peanut oil, giving them a rich flavor that frozen fries simply can’t match.
Five Guys portions are generous too, often overflowing from their signature red containers. The irregular shapes mean some fries come out extra crispy while others stay fluffy inside.
2. In-N-Out Burger
California’s beloved burger chain takes pride in their simple approach to fries. Every morning, workers peel and cut whole potatoes using special machines right in the restaurant.
In-N-Out keeps things basic with just potatoes, salt, and oil. No preservatives or artificial flavors make their way into these golden strips. The result is a clean, potato-forward taste that lets the natural flavor shine through.
Many customers order their fries “well-done” for extra crispiness. The fresh preparation means each batch tastes slightly different depending on the potato variety used that day.
3. Shake Shack
Originally starting as a hot dog cart in New York, Shake Shack built their reputation on quality ingredients. Their fries begin as whole potatoes delivered fresh to each location daily.
Crinkle-cut style gives these fries extra surface area for maximum crispiness. The wavy edges hold onto seasonings better than straight-cut fries, creating more flavor in every bite.
Shake Shack cooks their fries in small batches throughout the day. This means you’re getting fries that were cut and cooked recently, not sitting under heat lamps for hours like many other places.
4. Culver’s
This Wisconsin-based chain has expanded nationwide while maintaining their commitment to fresh ingredients. Culver’s receives whole potatoes several times per week, ensuring maximum freshness.
Their kitchen staff hand-cuts potatoes daily using specialized equipment. The fries get a light coating that helps them stay crispy longer than typical fresh-cut varieties.
Culver’s offers both regular and sweet potato fries, both made fresh daily. The restaurant’s “ButterBurger” fame often overshadows their excellent fries, but regulars know they’re equally impressive. Each order comes out hot and golden brown.
5. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Despite having “frozen” in their name, Freddy’s keeps their fries completely fresh. Thin-cut and crispy, these fries start as whole potatoes delivered to restaurants multiple times weekly.
The ultra-thin cut creates maximum crispiness with minimal fluffy interior. Freddy’s seasoning blend includes a special mix that gives their fries a unique flavor profile different from typical fast-food options.
Each batch gets cooked to order, meaning longer wait times but fresher results. The restaurant’s retro atmosphere pairs perfectly with their old-school approach to fry preparation and cooking methods.
6. Smashburger
Known for their smashed burger technique, this chain applies similar attention to their fries. Fresh potatoes arrive at each location and get cut daily by trained staff members.
Smashburger offers both regular and sweet potato versions, plus unique options like rosemary and olive oil fries. The variety means there’s something for every taste preference, all made fresh daily.
Their “SmashFries” get tossed with rosemary, olive oil, and garlic for a gourmet twist. The fresh preparation allows these flavors to penetrate the potato better than frozen alternatives would allow.
7. Whataburger
This Texas institution has maintained their fresh-fry tradition since 1950. Whole potatoes get delivered to each restaurant and cut fresh daily by kitchen staff using commercial-grade equipment.
Whataburger’s fries have a distinctive taste that comes from their specific potato variety and preparation method. The chain sources potatoes from particular farms that meet their exact specifications for flavor and texture.
Each order gets cooked fresh when you place it, not pre-made and kept warm. This means slightly longer wait times but significantly better taste and texture than reheated frozen alternatives.
8. The Habit Burger Grill
California-born but now nationwide, The Habit takes pride in their fresh approach to classic American food. Their fries start as whole potatoes that arrive fresh multiple times per week.
Kennebec potatoes specifically chosen for their ideal frying properties get hand-cut daily. This potato variety creates the perfect balance of crispy exterior and fluffy interior that fry enthusiasts love most.
The Habit offers both regular and sweet potato fries, plus tempura green beans for variety. All options get prepared fresh daily, ensuring consistent quality and taste that keeps customers coming back regularly.
Leave a comment