I Used to Think McDonald’s Fries Were the Best, But These 8 Are Superior

If you’re looking for deliciously salty fries, there’s no doubt that McDonald’s fries hit the spot. Whether you eat them alone or dip them in a McFlurry, McDonald’s fries are a favorite for many people. Even though I don’t eat McDonald’s often, I can’t argue that their fries are delicious. However, when you venture into the fast food and quick service world, you’ll realize that many alternatives are even better than McDonald’s.

McDonald's may be known for its fries, but according to many customers, the chain falls short when it comes to factors such as the accuracy of food orders, food quality, and the courtesy of staff. The American Customer Satisfaction Index looks at customer data from 23 major quick service chains every year, and McDonald's has come in last again in 2025.

If you’re looking for the best fast food fries, here are 8 restaurants with fries that are superior to McDonald’s.

This post was updated in December 2025 to include updated information about popular fast food restaurants.

It's no secret that Burger King is one of McDonald’s biggest competitors. You can tell by their cheeky marketing tactics, like Burger King coming up with the line, “Why eat with a clown when you can dine with the king?” Even though McDonald’s fries are a classic choice, many say that Burger King fries are superior to McDonald’s.

I’m not the biggest Burger King fan, but I have to say their fries beat McDonald’s on many levels. Burger King fries are not only thicker than McDonald’s fries, but they’re also crispier, which is an important quality for fries. While there’s not necessarily anything unique about Burger King fries, they’re a solid choice if you’re looking for delicious and salty fast-food fries.

If you choose Checker’s for lunch over another fast food restaurant, it’s probably because of their fries. Their seasoned fries are so popular that you can even purchase them frozen in certain grocery stores. Whether you choose a burger or one of their spicy chicken sandwiches, you won’t be disappointed when you order a side of fries with your meal at Checker’s.

According to Checker’s, their fries are “secretly seasoned.” Although they’re not spicy, they have a more diverse flavor than fries from places like McDonald’s. It’s no wonder that Checker’s fries have been voted some of the best fast food fries in national rankings. The director of Research and Development at Checker’s says the secret is that the fries are coated in a seasoned fry batter to give them their unique flavor.

If you’re a fan of spicy fries, Popeye’s may be the best choice for you. Popeye’s offers its signature Cajun fries, which have the perfect amount of seasoning and are bursting with flavor. You can't go wrong with some fried chicken, fries, and a biscuit.

Popeye’s not only has some of the best fried chicken of any fast food restaurant, but they also have tasty fries. If you’re tired of plain, salted fries, try the Cajun fries at Popeye’s for something a little different. The fries at Popeye’s are tossed in a Cajun seasoning that gives them the right amount of spice. They also give you a decent amount instead of skimping on the fries like some other restaurants do.

Five Guys fries are a favorite among fast food-goers, but they’re different from the other fries on this list. If you’re a fan of crispy fries, Five Guys fries are unlikely to be your favorite. The flavor is good, but they lack the crispiness some other fast food fries have. To get the most enjoyment out of them, it’s best to eat them right away.

Five Guys may be more expensive than some of the other fast food or quick service restaurants on this list, but they do give you a good value for the fries. You'll usually find the bottom of your bag is filled with fries along with the fry container. Five Guys fries are freshly cut, and you can order either regular or Cajun style.

When it comes to the best fast-food fries, Wendy’s has to be on the list. Some will even argue that Wendy’s has the best overall fries out of any fast food joint. Even when it comes to their hamburgers, Wendy's uses beef that is fresh, never frozen, so you know their fries are fresh too.

Wendy’s provides one of the best fast-food fry experiences by selling perfectly salty and crispy fries. There’s nothing seemingly unique or special about them, but when you get them fresh, they are the perfect classic cut fry. Wendy’s changed their fry recipe back in 2021 and added the Hot & Crispy Guarantee. With this new recipe, their fries are always fresh and deliciously crispy.

When it comes to waffle fries, no one can make them like Chick-fil-A. The shape of the fries is one of the main things that makes Chick-fil-A fries stand out from the rest. They also taste great with Chick-fil-A’s wide range of dipping sauces.

Chick-fil-A is one of the only fast-food restaurants I could never get enough of. Their iconic waffle fries are some of the best out of all the fast food restaurants. They’re salty, crispy, and taste delicious dipped in Chick-fil-A sauce (or Polynesian, if you prefer). They pair perfectly with an order of Chick-fil-A nuggets and even one of their tasty milkshakes.

Unlike McDonald’s fries, Culver’s offers crinkle-cut fries that are always fresh. Although it’s difficult to choose between their fries and a side of their cheese curds, the fries are never disappointing.

If you’re a fan of crinkle-cut fries, Culver’s has some of the best fries out of any fast food chain. The food at Culver’s is always fresh, so you know the fries are going to come out hot and crispy as well. If you really want the full experience, I recommend ordering a side of their Wisconsin cheese sauce to dip the fries in. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Shake Shack, like Culver’s, sells crispy crinkle-cut fries. These fries are perfectly crisp on the outside while still being soft on the inside. They pair perfectly with a Shake Shack burger and milkshake.

Out of all the fast food fries on the list, Shake Shack’s fries deserve to be at the top. Their fries are always crispy but never burnt. They have just enough salt to be delicious without being too salty. The texture of these fries is really what makes them one of the best. Some people have strong opinions about fry shape, but if you’re a fan of the crinkle-cut variety, don’t miss out on Shake Shack’s fries.