[DFW] Best French Fries in the Metroplex [DFW]

[LewisvilleHounder]

I am sure by now most of you think I eat ethnic food almost everyday. Actually I pretty much do, be it at home or eating out. On an occasion, I get a craving for the standard classics just done in near perfection.

In this case I am looking for french fries. I prefer a hand cut fresh potato over a frozen pre cut fry. I also like more thick cut than thin and preferably with the skin still on. I prefer a crisp exterior with a soft interior. I really don't care for the limp fried fries.

I really enjoy the fries at Mooyah (Coppell location), one they are thick with skins still intact, they are crispy and they freshly cut. They also come with little salt or no salt by request(which I prefer) so I can add my own. Mooyah also encourages malt vinegar to be sprinkled on them, which is a twist from the Heinz Ketchup I am used to.

So where are your favorite places for french fries? Are there any interesting condiments you put on your fries (i.e. fish sauce, Mae Ploy Sweet Chili Sauce, etc) or do you just eat them plain?

[Scagnetti]

I saw an episode of Anthony Bourdain about Chicago and one of the featured places was Hot Doug's. This is a hot dog place that has taken hot dogs to a high level but one interesting dish they serve is french fries cooked in duck fat.

Is there any place in Dallas that does something like that?

[twinwillow]

Had brunch at Hattie's in Oak Cliff today. Their French fried sweet potatoes were the best I've ever had. Anywhere!

[Mister F.]

I second the nomination of Mac's Barbecue. The fries are twice-fried in (I believe) soybean oil , and are absolutely delicious, a perfect accompaniment to their excellent 'cue.

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Mac's Barbecue
3933 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226

[DallasDude]

Tillman's in Bishop Arts has the trio of pappas thats pretty damned good. A purple, sweet and russet potato medley all hand-cut and served with sauces and smoked salt. The catsup is home made.

[twinwillow]

Although not exactly "crispy", I really like large cut "Texas" fries at Big Shucks. Especially when dipped in their wonderful tarter sauce.

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Big Shucks
6232 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75214

[pschweizer]

Mac's Barbecue at 3933 Main Street (just east of Deep Ellum) is where Chili's got there recipe for fries - back when Chili's was only local (at Meadow and Greenville) and had really good food. ... The fries at Mac's are crisp, fresh, and seasoned just right.

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Mac's Barbecue
3933 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226

[CocoaNut]

Was that loc of Chili's the original? Many years ago, since I lived in the area, Chili's was a favorite haunt. What was the pizza place just across the street that served gyro's - from the traditional vertical spit?

[twinwillow]

The original Chili's (started by Larry Lavine) was at the corner of Greenville and Meadow. Olympic pizza was directly across the street.

[jhanchey]

Gorgonzola Fries at Lili's Bistro on Magnolia in Fort Worth - waffle frieds topped with gorgonzola cheese, cracked black pepper, and green onions. Simply to die for! No ketchup needed...

[Food Baby]

The neighborhood can be a little questionable, but my favorite fries are at The Boiling Crab. They offer cajun fries and sweet potato fries, which are both really tasty.

[JonFromTJs]

how about the trio of fries @ tillman's roadhouse?

[amokscience]

I prefer to make my own (sweet and russet, baked) at home and dip em in Siracha, hot sauce and cajun spices, homemade BBQ, (flavored) mayo, or any type of mustard. I do prefer fried but for various health and convenience reasons usually bake them.

I had some fried yuca at a Salvadorian place recently and they have moved to the front of my favorites. You could serve these instead of french fries with no complaints from anyone. I definitely want to try them out at home.

Otherwise, I don't think I've had any memorably good fries recently. Fast food joints tend to do a better job imo than the better burger places. Toulouse was pretty good from what I recall.

[air]

Regarding condiments, have you tried chips and curry? Trinity Hall does this, it's an appetizer that is an order of fries with a side of curry. It's still typical pub fare but a lot less greasier than cheesy fries with bacon.

[LewisvilleHounder]

Is this housemade curry or Patak's? Not trying to be snooty but I am sure it would be excellent if it were a fresh curry..

[air]

Will have to ask them about that, though I doubt it is housemade. Just throwing an idea out for you in case you happen to see it on a pub menu somewhere.

[DallasDude]

You would think serving Patak's would be prohibitive. Look forward to air's report back.

[J.R.]

Speaking of condiments. I'm a big fan of HP sauce with fries. Used to spend alot of time on business in the UK and the HP thing stuck.

[pgwiz1]

The french fries at toulouse on Knox is quite tasty...especially when dipped in the mussels sauce...now I'm craving it....

[Scagnetti]

The fries at Maple and Motor are every bit as good as the hamburgers.

[air]

Agreed. Maple and Motor is quite underrated, and I think they are a close contender with Wingfield's. Only thing I don't like there is the brisket sandwich, it's basically a dripping grease bomb.

I like Smashburger's fries more than Mooyah's, and make sure to ask for the rosemary/garlic seasoned type. Too bad I can't say the same for their burgers, plus sometimes the seasoning can be too intense.

Do any of the tapas restaurants here serve fries cooked with truffle oil? Craving some huevos rotos con virutas de Iberico now!

[gavlist]

gotta say, I don't at all get the fascination with Wingfield's. I've eaten there three times - each burger was among the worst that I've eaten. Greasy. Gristly. Not beefy tasting (which is what I love about Angry Dog). And, (not a plus for me) ENORMOUS. I realize that I'm in the minority here - everyone seems to like them, but I just do not get it.

Similary (but much less extreme) Maple and Motor would be a good (just good) burger at a backyard cookout. But it's not that beefy tasting, not that incredibly juicy, not that impressive in any regard that I can discern. I've eaten two of them. The fries seemed pretty unremarkable too... so I guess I agree with Scagnetti's comment.

not trying to stir up trouble... I'm generally a pretty peaceful guy. But could you provide any insight into what you like about the abovementioned burgers and fries?

[air]

With Wingfields I have only been there once and I got the exact burger that lived up to all the hype. I agree that an enormous burger isn't a plus. I enjoyed the experience but it isn't the best burger I've ever had.

To be honest you aren't alone with that opinion on Maple and Motor. The complaints I've heard have been all over the place: patties ranging anywhere from medium rare to something along the lines of a hockey puck. Also overly beefy/ underseasoned patties.

I find the burgers there outstanding when they do get it right. The best burgers I've had there have been perfectly seasoned, grilled somewhere a hair below medium-well so every bite was juicy. To me, medium to medium-well is acceptable, I'm not a fan of medium-rare. Fortunately I have only gotten one overly cooked burger there out of my four visits.

And to bring the discussion back to fries, I have gotten crisp outside, soft inside fries every single time. Didn't need to put ketchup on them.

[gavlist]

reasonable. I appreciate the detail!

[Scagnetti]

I didn't think the hamburger at Maple and Motor was any great shakes. It was good but nothing ethereal.

I did think the fries were really good. Not greasy and not oversalted. Maybe it was a timing thing, I don't know. I went there when they were first open.

[amokscience]

M&M's fries were very good thin fast food fries. Hot, fluffy, crispy and simply seasoned.

Burger was fine, nothing worth driving though. Wish they had been better, really enjoyed the atmosphere of the place. Bonus: they had RC Cola.

[amokscience]

"Smashfries" were terrific, fried pickles ok. Burger was a bit too salty but otherwise pretty damn good. The smashfries are probably my favorite in DFW.

[twinwillow]

Although I try and stay away from eating french fries, the ones I've had at Houston's will do just fine for me.

[foiegras]

The frites at Sapristi in FW are really good.

[gavlist]

Neighborhood Services has outstanding french fries. I've attached a picture... not the best I've taken, but it conveys the style of french fry. This batch has a bit of what I consider undercooked fries - I prefer the golden brown, externally crisp, internally light and fluffy fries on the right. Often the entire batch looks like those, and the quality is quite reproducible - they had some trouble a month or so after opening, but the last five batches I've eaten over the course of a couple of months have been fantastic.

[OCNC]

Roger that gavlist. The fries at NS are killer!

[CocoaNut]

Central Market/Southlake. Pretty sure they do the two fry method. Crispy and blistered on the outside, soft on the inside - no condiment needed on these.

[planojim]

Mignon near the corner of Spring Creek and Preston in Plano has my favorite fries. Twice fried. http://www.mignonplano.com/index2.htm
and to answer your other question, for some reason, I Iike dipping my fries in tartar sauce.

[dancehound]

I agree! (I use the German/French traditional dip with these - Mayo!)

[irodguy]

I have to say day to day that Big Easy is in my top 5. I will also give Kenny's burger joint points for both their Kenny's fries and their "old fries (shoe string).