BEST FRENCH FRIES IN LOS ANGELES

[foodiemahoodie]

There hasn't been anything new on this subject which is near and dear to my tum-tum.

From the Chowhound I discovered "Oinkster" in Glendale. The food was generally pretty good, but the french fries were simply outstanding.

My other favorite are the fries at Hal's in Venice.

I think Hal got it from the West Beach Cafe - both WBC and Rebecca's had the best french fries, now gone. Bruce Marder (West Beach) owns part of the Broadway Deli - which are good, but not very good, and not great.

Any other recommends?

[nosh]

OK, I know it's a burger stand and not the revered original location. But I recently stopped into the Tommy's in Santa Monica, on the west side of Lincoln at Pico, for a quick lunch. Ordered my fries well done and they came crisp and extremely hot, a very generous order, and not burnt or brown. My chili-cheeseburger was good -- the double I ordered on my return trip was a better proportion of meat to chili and fixin's -- but the well done fries were the clear highlight. Thicker than most, obviously from frozen, not too much salt, and not crinkle cut. Best I've tasted recently, expecially for less than two bucks.

Now, I do admit I dearly miss Benita's Frites, which served them properly double-fried. Those were amazing. But if they couldn't make the business model work with all of the foot traffic on the Promenade and even on City Walk, I just don't see that level of care and excellence surviving at a reasonable price point.

[bulavinaka]

I think the Benita's Frites concept is worth another shot, but in another location. As much foot traffic that the 3rd Street Promenade gets, I don't think the profile of the average pedestrian hoofing it through there fits the profile of one who could truly appreciate a fantastic frite. I'll be the first to admit that when they first opened, I was totally ignorant to the wonders of what their concept was. I remember walking up the first and last time, and taking a long look. "Hmmm... french fries - that's all they have is french fries, and darned expensive ones too. What the heck am I going to have my fries with? Geez - I don't get it. Pass..." I think this was the general concensus over the years as Benita's faded into one of many failed storefronts along this walk.

I think times have changed. The appreciation for good food - I mean food prepared with much greater focus - is being embraced by so many more people now. This I feel is due to two major forces. One is the somewhat recent increasingly progressive societal views in urban and suburban SoCal and many other places in our country. Part of this is accepting if not embracing contributions from other cultures. Another part of this is the ever-changing immigration patterns over the past decades that have created huge shifts in how and what we as eaters define as food.

The other major force is the fluidity of information dispersal. TV shows, newspaper sections, and particularly internet activity such as this site that have a razor sharp focus on food create a synergism for what I call food envy.

In my opinion, In N' Out probably has the worst fries that receive the most accolades by its cultists. Okay, I know like everything else about food, one can argue that what one looks for in a perfect fry is purely subjective, and if one feels a limp anemic fry is worthy of placing it on an alter worshiping the the great Kahuna of burger chains just because it is born from a freshly cut potato that is oozing of starch literally minutes before it is immersed in boiling bubbling fat, then so be it. Like the framers of our Constitution most likely intended that this vital transcript be a living document, maybe the original creator of the fry intended this sorely misunderstood delectable to morph into whatever we the people preferred it to be, whether by definition, intention, or result. But my definition of a perfect fry is probably the polar opposite of what the In N' Out camp hale as being the epitome of a proper fry. Like you, I prefer a fry to be like James Gandolfini. Imperfect in shape and character and fresh off the streets. A crisp exterior with hard salty edges but with a soft fluffy heart. It has to be so good that it takes no prisoners - none. Otherwise, in my mind, fuggitaboudit...

[Jack Flash]

Wow. That last paragraph is just fantastic. Hey, if you ever do find French fry nirvana in SoCal, please let us know. I suspect we like the same fries.

You really did miss out with Benita's; the only thing that would have made them better would have been frying in an animal fat.

[a_and_w]

Actually, if In 'n Out is frying freshly cut potatoes, you may have put your finger on the problem. As nosh notes, double frying is an important step in making good french fries.

[bulavinaka]

Another problem is the fact that they are freshly cut and I don't think they're rinsing the exposed starch off, which would then require at least one additional step which is drying them off. The starch sucks up the oil and leaves the soggy mess that their fries are. There's at least two more major (time-consuming) steps as well. One is freezing, and the next is refrying the frozen fries at a higher temp. The freezing prepares the fry for the final frying - this protects the interior of the fry from cooking any further, leaving it to remain soft and fluffy. So in theory, their fries are really only a quarter of the way done - basically it's blanched sliced potatoes. I enjoy their burgers but their fries? I'll sub the calorie count with a shake.

[SaltCod]

All these negative comments re: In 'n Out's fries are well taken and should convince me to stop eating them. However, there is something about the flavor of those fries that knocks me out. I'm the first to admit that they're a textural nightmare. But, I still find myself picking up 12 at a time and scarfing them down. They just have an amazing flavor to me. Go figure.

[carter]

With a handle like SaltCod, no wonder you might like salty fries!!!

[Finnish_Fox]

If I eat at In'n'Out, which is quite rarely, I always ask for my french fries to be "well done". They keep in the fryer longer and they come out crispy and golden.

[paulfromla]

taste on melrose had some of the best fries i've ever had

[Renault78law]

I love the fries from Taste as well.

[brandygirl]

I have a soft spot for Carney's fries. But I haven't tried Oinkster or Hal's.

[Bite Me]

I agree with you about Hal's. Also, try 26 Beach. They fry them in rice oil (or at least they did). I also like the fries at Canter's (ask for them well done), the Blue Plate, Father's Office (no ketchup available, which is ok with me, but not most folks), Literati 2 (they fry in peanut oil), the Grill (steak fries or shoe strings), a little cafe in the Palisades where Terri's used to be (but can't remember the name of it) and they have both regular and sweet potato fries, 17th Street Cafe on Montana for both regular and sweet potato fries . . . .

[brandygirl]

I forgot about Canter's. A pastrami on rye and steak fries from Canter's is nirvana.

[kathryn7673]

I could almost swear that the fries at Brass Cap in Pacific Palisades are double fried--even if they are not, they are soo delicous, I am not sure what they do to them, but they are perfectly golden and crisp. oh yum... I could blame a few ounces of extra fat on my body to them... so worth it!

[maudies5]

The secret to BrassCap's fries is that they are fried in lard. That's what makes them so delicious

[New Trial]

The garlicky fries at Jar.

[Steve2 in LA]

I'd definitely have listed those Jar fries. Fit t'eat, for sure. On the other hand, I wouldn't say "no" to fresh, hot, fat-fries at Fatburger. Of course, that's just me.

[baloney]

My favorite thus far. Love.

[amela]

When in the South Bay, try Martha's in Hermosa Beach for pretty darn good fries. It's one of the only places where I say...what the heck, gimme the fries and forget the fruit!

[rachaeln]

The hotel Bel Air offers a huge plate of truffle (shoestring) fries that are heady and amazing.

For more day to day, I really like the long, crispy, golden fries at Cafe L'Etoile in WeHo. We order them with chipotle mayo (well, we say Aioli, but we all know its just good ol' mayo) and a perfect Pimms Cup.

I am also partial to what they fry up at The Villiage Idiot since they offer malt vinegar.

For nostalgia (of the high school variety) I love the basket at Islands. Usually over fried and lots of small-fry remnants, but still a good thing. Not actually sure the last time I ATE at Islands, but their fries remain close to my heart. (And thighs)

[Beignets]

The chain known as Islands offers really good fries though their inconsistencies really kill this recommendation. So why am I making it? I just had it yesterday and they did an incredible job, almost every single piece in the basket was perfect. Always order it well done.

[maxzook]

You're right, both about the quality of Islands's fries and that they're the only thing on the menu worth ordering.

Another place that almost certainly twice-cooks their fries is Sitton's coffee shop in North Hollywood.

[dabruins07]

I'm a big fan of Gordon Biersch garlic fries....but only from the restaurant...not the ones that they sell at the dodger game.

[csidgo]

If you are a fan of truffle oil and parmesean cheese, I highly recommend the truffle fries at the Lobster in Santa Monica on Ocean. They are fried in corn oil, tossed in truffle oil and sprinkled with parmesean cheese. Soooooooooooo Yummy!!!

[Renault78law]

Yes, these are great! Decadent and fabulous.

[Robert Thornton]

I also really miss Benita's Frites. Those were good fries.

I won't pretend to offer an exhaustive list, but two I liked recently: the sweet potato fries at Mike & Anne's in South Pasadena, and the fries at the newly opened Black Abbey way out here in Claremont (although I may have been biased by the fact I was drinking good Belgian ale on tap as well).

-Robert

[cincyn]

I also love the Back Abbey fries. Twice fried, once in duck fat then a generous sprinkle of sea salt! But you have to tell them to cook them a little longer. They are new and busy and tend to rush them.

[rednyellow]

Two very good fries are the Kitchen in Silverlake and Redwood bar on 2nd downtown.

[coffeebrownies]

How about the big fat steak fries at Victor's Deli in Hollywood? And they are a go together with their exceptional grilled cheese sandwiches. In our family, those are pretty much the only fries that consistently get polished off. The size makes them taste like potatoes instead of like grease, so you feel a little more virtuous polishing them off (at least we do...) --as opposed to Islands fries, or In N Out fries which no one ever fights over....

[Servorg]

Victor's Deli was about to close its doors the last time I saw a board report about it. Is it still open at this point?

[maxzook]

He must have Victor's Deli confused with Victor's Square, the adjacent restaurant which I understand is still open. The deli never served fries.

I know the name is anathema on this board, but Jerry's Famous/Solley's has very good steak fries as well.

[ReelMike84]

On the VERY rare occasion I find myself at Jerry's I find myself more satisfied more with their curly fries.

[omakase]

If Bin 8945 is still running, their duck fat fries have that WOW factor!!! Located at 8945 Santa Monica Blvd in W. Hollywood.

[carter]

When David Haskell reopens a restaurant, hopefully sooner than later, his duck fat fries will assuredly be on the menu- they were terrific.
The garlic fries at Carlito's Gardel on Melrose west of Fairfax are much superior to those at Jar - and those at Jar are quite good.
The Oinkster's or those at Max in Sherman Oaks(same fries) are at the top of the list as well.

[Obessed]

Citrus fries thier fries in clarified butter and they are SOOO godd!!!

[wilafur]

big fan of the bleu cheese fries at pete's cafe and was definitely surprised by the tasty fries that came with the mussels at paradise cove beach cafe.

always wanted to try the duck fat fries at bin 8945 though....too bad they are closed. =(

[la tache burger]

Love Apple Pan fries, liked 25 Degrees fries a lot last time I was there. And it's rare to find a Jewish deli that doesn't make a mean steak fry if they cook them well done. I love steak fries even more than thin fries.

[nd33x]

Just had Oinkster's fries on Friday. Much crisper and tastier than when they first opened. I think they finally have it down perfectly.

[samtron608]

Del taco!

[sbritchky]

Thanks for the tip, nd33x. I heard all this ruckus about their great Belgian-style fries when the Oinkster first opened but thought they were merely In-N-Out-style deep-fried cardboard taken up a semi-notch (using somewhat-better-quality paper). I'll try again.

[Crazy LegsL]

The fries cooked in duck fat at The Crow Bar in Corona Del Mar are pretty tasty!

[Wheggi]

Daglas here in the SFV, at Winnetka and Vanowen. Love 'em!

[Wolfgang]

The Village Idiot on Melrose has very good fries, as good a regular potato fry I've had. For sweet potato fries, FO.
For out of the county fries, I love the fries at the Hitching Post II in Buellton.

[b0ardkn0t]

I really am a big fan of almost any fry that I come across. I love a simple skinny fry to the fat wedgelike fries some restaurants serve up. Having said that I do prefer simple no frills fries more than any spiced up and full of herbs fry. In my view, a fry that is all dressed up usually detracts rather than enhance from the main course, which is usually a hamburger, and I've found that out time and again. Which is why I enjoy an In-n-Out fry as much as a sweet potato fry as a wedge, or a McDonalds fry. I enjoy variety.

[Ernie]

Same here, I much prefer a good potato flavor in my French fries vs. extra greasy truffle oil, garlic, herbs, heavy spicing, etc. Bandera, Gulfstream, Musso & Frank and McDonald's are a few reliable favorites

[chowchow12345678]

Benitas Frites were my absolute favorite fries. Second favorite, although I don't allow myself to eat here, are McDonald's fries -- they abound everywhere and are always consistently good no matter which city you're in.

[foodiemahoodie]

I agree - Citrus had terrific fries. I should've put them on the original list. And they're different (because of the butter).

I have to strenuously disagree with a few posts here - Tommy's? Are you kidding? In 'n Out? Really, you guys you should try Hal's, Oinkster.

Brass Cap? Oddly enough I've never had them, but Bruce Marder was brilliant with french fries at his former but now defunct restaurants West Beach Cafe and Rebecca's. And I'm taking a wild guess here - but they're probably very similar to Hal's. Or rather, I should say Hal's are rather similar to Brass Cap's because Bruce was doing this a long time before Hal was. (Hal was maitre 'd at West Beach, and before that at Roberts).

I'd like to add - for sweet potato frieds - Father's Office and Josie's. I'd probably give the nod to Josies, which were insanely good, whereas Father's Office were merely brilliant. Can't go wrong with either one however.

[maudies5]

I have said it before and I'll say it again..Bruce Marder's fries are great because they are fried in Lard. Not the healthiest option but frying potatoes in lard makes a great french fry.

[QualityMart]

I like the sweet potato fries from The Counter better than the ones from Father's Office.

[mstinawu]

I like the ones from jerry's deli and the counter both better than FO as well.

[Scotty]

McDonald's fries are the gold standard for me.

If they were in a blind test with some of these other fries I think they would win out.

I also agree that I don't see In-n-Out in the same class at all.

[ray9x]

Skooby's has great hot dogs and fries. :) I believe they are double-cooked.

[Maxmillion]

SKOOBYS SKOOBYS SKOOBYS!

Hands down the best fries in LA. Hand cut (well, a person puts them through a manual press) from enormous potatoes. Cooked in peanut oil. Dusted with paprika (?) Garlic aioli as well.

Incredible. check skoobys.com for hours.

[nosh]

Skooby's may indeed be the successor to Benita's for double-fried taste, texture, and crispiness. They don't have the selection of toppings, but I always thought that was superfluous -- give an option of Heinz ketchup and also some mayo/aioli alternative. They also hit the price point. Only trouble is the ridiculously difficult and expensive parking -- best to go in a twosome so the driver can circle the block while the passenger picks up.

[love2eat]

I love Skooby's fries as well! I like how they mix in potato chips with the fries. Along with that delicious aioli! As far as parking...you can just take the subway to Hollywood/Highland or Vine. It's easy.

[rednyellow]

Skooby's doesn't work for me.... I think the seasoning on Skooby's fries is weird, reminds me of seasoned salt.

[film_score]

Skooby's are definitely the best. Yes, they are distinct take on fries (they have barbecue seasoning on them, like barbecue potato chips) but they are awesome...

[Sam D.]

Dino's at Pico & Berendo serves up some really tasty fries. They prepare the fresh spuds in house in essentially same way that McDonald's used to do at each location before the whole chain went to using frozen French fries. The potatoes are hand peeled and cut and then double fried. And you can definitely tell the difference.

If I'm ordering Dino's "Chicken Maniaco" I always request the fries on a separate plate to keep them crisp and avoid getting soggy from the moisture of the chicken drippings. I know some people like that but not me.

McDonald's originally used beef fat for cooking the fries because it enhanced their flavor. Later, because of health concerns, they switched to vegetable oil which resulted in a more bland taste. I believe Dino's also uses vegetable oil. But the taste of their fries is still far better than most of what's being served elsewhere these days.

[flowerofhighrank]

just had them tonight: Barney's on Colorado in Pasadena (NOT Barney's Beanery, hell no: they cremate them). This Barney's is next to Barnes and Noble; fries are perfect.

[nosh]

I love Dino's on Pico at Berendo, and have been a repeated advocate on this board. But their fries are very thin, and definitely not double-fried -- they just don't have the thickness and heft to benefit from that. They are delicious and served in a huge pile and are a great foil to the turmeric/garlic/vinegary marinade for the chicken special. And fried in lard? maybe....

[PWORD9D8]

Rally's fries are awesome....

[bubbles4me]

I've always liked the fries at The Hat....tried the gravy fries once, only once. Very tasty but tummy was not so happy with me!

[malibumike]

The best french fries I've ever had are at the Apple Pan in West Los Angeles.

[bodie]

Not to bring all you fellow fry-fanatics down or anything - however I want to mention that I ordered fries at Nick & Stef's last week and they sucked! It was shocking to me that a steakhouse could have such poor french fries. They were appallingly limp and tepid and when I sent them back, i got another order ( i think!) that was equally flaccid and only marginally more toward room temperature. Truly bad.

[foodiemahoodie]

Kudos to tell them. That ain't right. I would tell the manager or the chef - that's just appalingly wrong and they should know and would want to know it.

[Ernie]

Over the years I have noticed a trend at Patina Group establishments, i.e., they are unable to make crisp French fries at any of their restaurants.

[Itslikeimsayin]

I recall having really great fries at Cafe Pinot, albeit at least 10 years ago.

[Jeryy]

This is an odd choice, but I just had the fries Sunday - there's a teriffic Middle Eastern restaurant in Sherman Oaks called "Carnival" on Woodman, just North of Ventura Blvd. Many of their delicious entrees come with fries and damn! the fries are great. So fresh, not frozen, hand cut - it was an almost Proustian experience. Highly recommended restaurant - exalted fries.

[carter]

Forgot about them, yet yes you are correct - the fries are very good. Tend to avoid getting items there that have them as accompaniments, unless the fries are being shared by 3 or 4 people. Way huge portion.

[Chowpatty]

I've never been to Robin's BBQ, but their garlic fries served at the South Pasadena Farmer's Market were pretty awesome.

[cynder007]

Benita's Frites were great and the condiment choices were yummy. I think they made a huge mistake by moving to Citywalk. They were always busy on the Promenade. Since I live in the Valley I know about Daglas. They are good and you get a huge bag. There's a pastrami place in Simi Valley, The Hat, that has decent ones and the chili cheese fries are a main course. My favorite fast food fries are Burger King's. There's something about that mystery coating that I love. They stay crisp for a long time.

[handlertaper]

I love the fries at the Brentwood Country Mart (Reddi-Chick). I think it it the special seasoned salt on the crispy fries that make them taste so good!!!

[yogachik]

My favorites:

3 Square's truffle fries
Reddi Chik at the Country Mart in Brentwood
Bel Air Hotel (but they give you so few!)
Le Marmiton on Montana Ave

[valleychowhound]

Best sweet potato fries are at Venus on Venice (blvd). It's in Mar Vista across the street from the bowling alley.

[foodiemahoodie]

I have not tried then at Venus. Have you tried then at Josies? Or Father's Office?

[NumeroUnoEat]

easy answer: HUNGRY CAT,
try 'em and see / taste for yourself!

[tdo]

I like the fries at Father's Office. The shoestring fries are fantastic and the sweet potato fries have a nice crispyness to them that I've never been able to achieve at home. I am a fan of skinny fries though so these are not for those looking for beefsteak fries.

[Servorg]

Since you are a fan of the skinny fry then you will probably like Houston's/Bandera for their fries as well.

[tdo]

I've been to Houstons and you are right. The skinny fries are pretty good there. I guess I don't think of Houstons for fries. :)

[mstinawu]

Ditto. I think BYOB night!

[westsidegal]

another good source for skinny fries is cafe del rey.
they are served in the lounge as a side to their sliders.
perfect.

[mstinawu]

It's hard to go wrong with skinny fries!

[NYCnowLA]

Hidden has killer truffle french fries. they are memorable.

[attran99]

This may start a bit of a debate...but I believe Bouchon's french fries are heavenly. You have to get them fresh and hot, though. I hear service and delivery of these tasty delights is inconsistent. I enjoyed them immensely during my visit, and have found all the french fries I've had since, not as satisfying as Bouchon's.

[ns1]

the fries at "Henry's Hat" on Cahuenga were RIDICULOUSLY good.

Top 5 status.

What the other 4 are? I don't know, but they're pretty damn good.

[SugarFrosted]

The Truffle Fries at Josie in Santa Monica are out of this world! Just the right crispness, fried in Truffle Oil, airy, potato-ee and rich. I can easily eat a whole plate of them. Here's a photo of these wonderful fries, and the Buffalo Burger with Foie Gras that it comes with. It's awesome!

[foodiemahoodie]

I was just there a week ago and though the truffle fries looked awfully tempting, we went for their stellar sweet potato fries. (which I can highly recommend).

I'll try those next time.

[AAQjr]

I went to Cache (JC's new spot) and the burger and fries were both excellent. The fries the best I've had in town. Super Crispy, not at all burned, light on the inside. The dipping sauces were so-so, but they didn't need anything else anyway.

[stevewwc]

best truffle fries i have ever tried

[mrhooks]

Lazy Ox Canteen's Kennebec frites. Intensely strong potato flavor when I had them last December.

[1newyorkguy]

French fries should be twice fried--at different temperatures. I've yet tofind/try proper ones in LA.

Has anyone tried Ladyface Alehouse? They say they have Belgian fries..and they look great in pictures.

[AAQjr]

Cache -Santa Monica

[Airo]

Salt Creek Grille (I go to the one in El Segundo) has some great garlic fries.

[paprkutr]

Love the skinny fries (frites) at Le Petit Bistro on La Cienega. Also, the same good ones can be found at Cayenne on Beverly Blvd.
I love the sweet potatoe fries at the Counter, get them well done and they are nice and crispty.

[toitoi]

Last night, I had some of the best fries I ever had at Cafe Stella in Silver Lake. I asked for extra crispy, and that's how they came, not a soggy or greasy one in the bunch, even at the bottom of the cone they came in.

[FMWarner]

I will second the nomination for Skooby's. Fantastic flavor, good crunch, and I liked that the order included both curly fries and wedge fries in the same dish. I can see how the seasonings might turn some off, but I find them delicious.

My other choice is Wurstkuche. I found the sausages to be fairly ordinary, but the Belgian fries are the best fries I've had in Los Angeles. The assortment of dips is top notch as well - I love the chipotle aioli and the really grainy mustard best, and I don't even really like mustard all that much.

[mdpilam]

Agree with the Wurstkuche fries, excellent.

[Professor Salt]

Another vote for Wurstkuche. I just got home from there and I'm thinking about the fat fries, with white truffle oil, and the bacon-walnut dipping sauce.

[Harry Niletti]

I don't like the taste of "truffle" oils, but if you want high-end fries, I recommend the patatine montanare (french-fried Kennebecs -- the potato served at In-N-Out Burger -- with fresh sage and balsamic vinegar) at Pizzeria Ortica. The dish actually kills two birds with one stone. Not only are the fries a fine accompaniment to Ortica's exceptionally good dinner steak, they also show that Kennebecs don't have to be the soulless cardboard sticks of the In-N-Out empire.

-Harry

[Professor Salt]

Thanks, Niletti. I'll keep that in mind for my next visit to Ortica.

[Harry Niletti]

The patatini are excellent with the steak, but if you're going to have a pizza and don't want something that substantial, I'll bet they they would also go well with various warm antipasti (especially fish) or other side dishes eaten as an appetizer -- or, of course, by themselves. I'd keep it simple, the better to savor the complex flavors of the mild and delicate Kennebecs with sage and balsamic vinegar, a slick Italian slant on the English combination of (fish and) chips with malt vinegar.

-Harry

[Harry Niletti]

I'll say this about J. Gold's recent spotlight on the fries at Daglas (at Winnetka and Vanowen): (1) I've been there three times since that piece came out and haven't seen long lines or fistfights -- just local people who know a good thing when they taste it; and (2) Gold could be right! These are very good crisp/soft potatoes, served fresh and hot. They're not the antiseptic style favored by corporations but tend towards grunginess, similar to my favorite fries at an Italian beef stand in Chicago (although they certainly haven't reached that high level). Even the small order is large enough to feed an NFL lineman or gangly teenager.

By the way: (3) Do not overlook the fact that Daglas shares a parking lot with Cupid's Hot Dogs, whose deliciously cheap-tasting chili dog is the perfect partner for Daglas fries. I've been on a mission to find a satisfying chili dog and currently have Cupid's at #1 over Fab (sorry, Fabbers, but I don't like the poor-tasting dog itself or the way they put the shredded cheese on top of the uninteresting chili, preventing it from melting fully), Chronos (if Cupid's is the cheap-dog ideal, Chronos is just cheap), and Carney's (strange dog -- the "front" taste resembles off-flavor supermarket hot dogs, but then it just mellows off into the boring chili). And, of course, no one has a french-fry partner like Daglas.

-Harry

[Norm Man]

Link to Jonathan Gold's review of Daglas Drive-In:

http://www.laweekly.com/2010-09-09/eat-drink/daglas-drive-in-hamburger-stand-by-me/

Daglas Drive-In
20036 Vanowen St., at Winnetka
Canoga Park, CA 91304
818 883-6313

http://daglas.net/

[Servorg]

Looks like there was a place link already in the data base (thanks for including the restaurant website in your post, Norm - I added it to the place link).

[ns1]

"(sorry, Fabbers, but I don't like the poor-tasting dog itself or the way they put the shredded cheese on top of the uninteresting chili, preventing it from melting fully)"

which is exactly why we order the CCD with cheese on the bottom

[Harry Niletti]

I hope having to specify "put the yeast in the dough" isn't coming next at the local pizzeria! ;-) Obviously, a business should know how to assemble its products, especially a place like Fab Hot Dogs that thinks so much about itself. Given their uninteresting chili and taste-challenged hot dog, I won't be ordering Fab's chili dog again until I hear it's new! improved! mo' better!, but telling them how to put it together is a good idea for those who do.

-Harry

[bulavinaka]

The Stand in Westwood surprised us with some very well-prepared sweet potato fries a few weeks ago. No limp, soggy, anemic fries here - thin, crisp and a whisper of sweetness. I've mentioned in a couple of other posts that Westwood has been a pretty easy place to roll up to, find parking and grab a bite to eat - at least that was the case during the summer. Now that school is back in session, I don't know if this is still the case.

[AAQjr]

pretty much all sweet potato fries in town are the same, any differences come in because people dont change their oil often enough or toss them in something after words.

[bulavinaka]

I disagree - we've had sweet potato fries at just about any place that offers them, and they vary quite a bit, particularly when it comes to crispiness/oiliness, size, or whether they've been battered. As you can see from the date of my post - this was a while ago - but the ones we had that night were textbook.

[AAQjr]

Maybe, but they all start with a frozen fry. Sweet potatoes are particularly difficult to make with out the processing. Heck regular fries are hard if you want to do them right, double or triple frying.

In general I think L.A. is a great burger town but mediocre fry town. Not that there aren't very good frozen fry's but to me they aren't worth talking about.

[bulavinaka]

Sweet potatoes are hard to tranform into fries. I mention different sizes because most are relatively thin, but if you've tried A-Frames, they're huge wedges. They're not nearly as crisp as one would hope, but they will hit a high note for sweet potato fans.

[foodiemahoodie]

This is worthy of a new thread - "BEST SWEET POTATO FRIES".

Father's Office, 17th St. Cafe on Montana - both very good. But the best I've had so far were from Josie's.

[AAQjr]

I have not tied A-Frames SPF's, I'll check it out though. I think wedges are usually not as crisp as the smaller ones. They are harder to find I remember the wedges at the old All American Burger I used to walk to after school. Now a busy Coffee Bean..

I haven't found a fry to get excited about since Cache closed. That was more a high end fry, but the execution was very good (as was the burger)

[bulavinaka]

These wedges are pretty huge - can't be put in the same category as the typical wedge fries/steak fries. They're not for everybody, but as I mentioned, they would probably ring a bell with those who like all sorts of sweet potato thingies.

[schrutefarms]

I like the fries at Chateau Marmont, also at the diner at the Standard. I believe they are both shoestring. For big fat fries I do love Cantors. And worst fries are, yes, In-N-Out. But to me the very very best are.....MCDONALDS. Yep. With mayo. And if you ever find yourself in Palm Springs, the truffle parm fries at the Viceroy are unbelievable. Also, someone mentioned Islands-I have to agree, the fries there were excellent.

[aching]

I like Father's Office for shoestring fries and Wurstkuche for frites - although in both cases, I may be influenced by how much I like the condiments. I also really like the fries at the Lazy Ox. And I have to admit, I really like Carl's Jr.'s criss-cut fries (although I haven't had them in years).

[mdpilam]

Slightly OT, but did FO change their Aioli in the last 6 months or so? I went with a friend last month (I didn't eat), and tried some of his fries, and the aioli tasted like tartar sauce - yuck. I used to love their blue cheese aioli... This was at the CC loc. btw.

[aching]

I couldn't tell you - haven't been for about a year. I hope not, though - I LOVE that aioli!

[AAQjr]

I don't think they ever had a blue cheese aioli??? It's been lemon as far back as I can recall.

[hyacinthgirl]

My favorites are:
-garlic fries at Carlito's Gardel
-sweet potato fries at 25 Degrees
-sweet potato and shoestring fries at Beechwood
-the fries in the poutine at Animal (how do they get them to stay so crispy??!)

[iluvtomago]

I'm not a fry lover, but when we go to Good Girl Dinette, I can never resist their fries with garlic and cilantro, with some of their cilantro aioli

[Airo]

These don't qualify as traditional fries, but lately I've been loving the Sweetheart (sweet potato) fries at the Veggie Grill. I go to the VG in El Segundo.

They are served with a chipotle ranch sauce made with Vegenaise. That was my first time trying Vegenaise when I initially dined here and I enjoyed it. Tastes just like mayonnaise...maybe even better. I've since purchased some to make things with at home when I get around to making my own sweet potato fries.

But for those in LA, I recommend trying these at the Veggie Grill.

[toitoi]

I believe there's a Veggie Grill at Sunset and Crescent Heights,. It's next to the escalator that takes you up to the Laemmle Sunset 5 theatre.

[Dommy]

There is also a new one in Santa Monica...

--Dommy!

[BSW6490]

Surprisingly, McCormicks downtown has great fries. You need to order them hot and well done with a side of bbque souce. My busniess partners have been known to make a meal of these alone.