Shoestring, thick-cut, steak, waffle, curly, crinkle-cut, sweet potato—the list goes on and on.
But anybody with good taste buds knows that shoestring fries are the most elite form of french fries.
It’s the equivalent of saying a Wagyu Uni handroll is the most superior handroll. It’s just like common knowledge for a niche population of food lovers.
That aside, any form of greasy, salty, crunchy fries is absolutely delicious. Especially when dipped in zesty Garlic Aioli. Yum.
If you order a salad on the side instead of fries, we literally have no respect for you. We admire your toned arms and flat abs courtesy of Melissa Wood, but that’s about it.
See Also: NYC Foodie Dishes On The Best Sandwiches In The City
Because fries are a bit of a contentious topic for New Yorkers, we consulted with everybody’s favorite food account, Eat This, to scout out the most mouth-watering fries in all of Manhattan.
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Multiple Locations/Website
We don’t care if you think Ruby’s is cheugy, the fries will always be relevant to the New York City dining scene. We also don’t care that you’re inevitably going to run into that guy from Hinge who you ghosted last summer. And probably your ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend, your camp friend from Tyler Hill who you pretend to like, and your 32-year-old boss who acts like she’s 23. The truffle fries from everybody’s favorite Sunday dinner spot are hands down the best in the city. And don’t even get us started on the Truffle Garlic Aoili. We weren’t lying, it is our weakness.
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41 Madison Ave, Manhattan/Website
We’re still mourning the loss of Barney’s. RIP. But we’re really mourning the loss of Barney’s famed restaurant Freds, and their unbelievable french fries. Well, maybe it’s better for our undiagnosed shopping addiction and our non-existent abs, but that’s a different story. Isn’t it kind of ironic that the most luxurious department store in the world served french fries? Like what Upper East Side mom is really eating that. Anyways, we’re thankful that New York City culinary landmark brought back these coveted babies. For some cultural context, it’s the former chef from Freds. The Belgian fries are thick, hot, and crispy with the perfect amount of salt. 10/10.
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52 Gansevoort St, Manhattan/Website
A lot of people refer to Pastis as the off-brand Minetta Tavern, but the fries are just as amazing, if not better. While many shoestring fries look like your lanky 7th-grade crush, these fries are perfectly firm and crispy. And they don’t pretend to not see you in the hallways in between P.E. and homeroom. Pro Tip: add these fries to your heavenly burger. This Meatpacking hotspot serves some of the best burgers in town, but the fries take your cheeseburger to the next level. It’s the best life hack. We accept cash, Venmo, and Zelle.
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Multiple Locations/Website
Shoestring fries may be the most elite form of french fries, but Waffle Fries are a close competitor. Without a doubt, they’re the most enjoyable to eat. We kinda feel like a kid who doesn't know the terms "rent" or "paycheck" when we dip our Waffle fries into ketchup. Although most people come here for the famous Detroit-Style pizza, we come here for the Zia fries. Topped with Hatch Chili Pimento Cheese, Scallions, Bacon, Ranch, these fries are seasoned with such pungent, delicious flavors. *Mouth waters*
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79 Crosby St, Manhattan/Website
If we close our eyes and picture our ideal french fry look and taste, it would be these fries from the world-renowned Crosby Street Hotel. We would literally book ourselves a room at this ridiculously overpriced hotel just to eat these fries for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The fries must be prepared in the world’s best fryer because they are so crisp, crunchy, and dense. Simply put, these fries are definitely not gluten-free. It’s almost like they have a thick breaded coating on them, and we are absolutely here for it. I mean we’re foodies, obviously, we love anything that involves bread. *Books Equinox*
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1291 3rd Ave, Manhattan/Website
The Cottage Fries at JG Melon are a staple to any New Yorker. If you’re a tourist, we recommend skipping the insanely overrated Vessel and sprinting to this New York City institution. Why does a ridged texture make these fries taste 100 times better? With fries, the shape is absolutely everything, and JG Melon was in on the secret before all of us. We don’t care if you’re on your post-breakup diet, you’ll find true love with these fries. Plus, you can’t leave your burger hanging.
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33 Greenwich Ave, Manhattan/Website
SFK’s favorite restaurant is the type of place we go to feel good about ourselves, but end up stuffing our faces anyways and stumbling on the streets from 3 extra dirty martinis. We always order the Chopped Salad because #Health, but finish the meal off with these golden french fries. Golden is the only word to describe them because they’re literally worth more to us than a Gold diamond-encrusted bracelet. Not actually, but you get the point. After all, we’re doing it for the plot.
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85 Orchard St, Manhattan/Website
We would like to formally apologize to the waitstaff at Dudley’s for our wrongdoings. Not because we were rude about them messing up our order (that’s literally so tacky), but because of our appearance when we stumble in here on a Saturday morning. We swear we don’t usually wear an oversized sweatshirt and heels. Dudley’s is everybody’s favorite hungover eats spot, and what better way to rid yourself of last night’s sins than eating a heaping plate of french fries? If you look up crispy in the dictionary, Dudley’s fries will be the first thing that comes up.
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Multiple Locations/Website
There are three words every girl is dying to hear. Truffle. Parm. Fries. You don’t need to be a truffle fanatic to be obsessed with these. You can definitely taste the garlicky, oaky flavor, but it’s not too overpowering. These fries master the art of flavor without being obnoxious in your face. If you’re boring, we would also recommend getting the regular fries or the sweet potato fries. Obviously, truffle fries are the leader of the pack, but at the end of the day, we don’t discriminate against any form of potato.
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Multiple Locations/Website
Living up to its name, the fries at Melt Shop are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The sign of a good fry is when they’re still hot and crispy even when you’re ordering them in for delivery. Naturally, these fries are better in person, but sometimes a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. Which is eating an exorbitant amount of fries while crying that you’re “the only single girl in the world” on your couch. Relax, it’s not all about you, Becky.
Photography by: Eiliv-Sonas Aceron
