French fries are great with almost anything! They are considered as favorites when taken with shakes or burgers to give the right contrast for flavor and texture. However, not all French fries are made equal. Some of them can be classified as the best French fries in the US or as the worst French fries! Read on to discover which ones are the best and worst for your diet and what makes them great.
Some of the Worst French Fries in the US
Bad news first! What classifies these fries as the worst? There are several factors, but the main ones are:
• The cooking method
• Calories contained
• Serving portion in relation to the calorie amount per serving
Most of these factors can pose negative effects to your health and here are some of the worst fries you should take a pass on:
TGI Friday’s Parmesan Steak Fries
With a whopping 660 calories, these fries pack a huge punch of unhealthy fat. Combined with the steak you’ll be eating, you’re looking at over a thousand calories for just a meal. Although steak fries are usually healthier since they have bigger slices, these aren’t exactly on the healthy end of the French fries healthy meter.
Chili’s Texas Cheese Fries with Chili and Ranch
These are loaded fries topped with chili and ranch dressing, these are basically nacho dishes which have been replaced with fries instead. A single serving will give you 2,120 calories!
Five Guys Fries
Although Five Guys fries are loved by many people, they are just plain and regular ones. Nothing added, just the usual plain salted fries. With over 1,470 calories, the downfall of this order is their big serving size. Despite using peanut oil for frying, it cannot escape the fact that the huge proportions make it a calorie-loaded classic fries option.
Dairy Queen Chili Cheese Fries
A no-brainer for the health conscious, it is easy to see that the main culprit of these fries landing on the worst French fries list is that it has a high concentration of sodium and because of this, an order will definitely have a bad impact on your high blood pressure.
Jack in the Box Bacon Cheddar Wedges
Like steak fries, wedges are supposed to be on the healthier side because of their thicker slices. However, these deep-fried potatoes are packed with fats and sprinkled with cheese. With a total of 715, these fries from Jack in the Box make it to the list of worst fries in the US
It would be best to stay away from these French fries if you are conscious about your health as well as your calorie intake. Don’t lose hope though! Because there are a lot of healthy French fries to choose from too!
Some of the Best French Fries in the US
It is said that is better to save the best for last. In this case, we’re at the point where we can delve on getting to know more about the best French fries in the US. Here are some of the healthier and more flavorful options you can choose from without being worried about your daily calorie intake:
McDonald’s French Fries
Despite being known for producing unhealthy fast food items that a lot of health conscious people scorn, you can get a great deal with their small order of French fries that has only 230 calories. When you have a craving for these golden strips of fried potato goodness, one of the best ways to go would be to order McDonald’s small French fries.
TGI Friday’s Seasoned Fries
Despite having the worst steak fries, TGI Friday’s seasoned fries are some of the best French fries under the classic category. Coming from a casual dining chain, it has the close to homemade goodness that regular fries have. It only has 290 calories and with a good serving portion, it can be enough to keep you full if you decide to have this as your snack.
Jack in the Box Seasoned Curly Fries
Jack in the Box holds the record for worst French fries in wedges but makes a comeback with their fun and tasty curly fries. It has only 280 calories, which is a bit less than TGI Friday’s Seasoned Fries and with even just the smallest order, your cravings for fries can be lifted when you get a taste of their fries. Stay away from the bigger size though as it will mean an additional 150 calories.
The Breslin Bar & Dining Room
Found in New York, busy individuals from the area will enjoy these healthy fries that are thrice-cooked to achieve the perfect tender inside and crispy outside French fry texture. Idaho russets are first boiled, then fried twice in a canola and sunflower oil blend to have that crispy exterior. This makes each spud have just a fraction of the oil compared to when you deep-fry your fries.
Bourbon Steak Fries
Enjoy your steaks in Miami, Florida’s Bourbon steak where they offer fries dusted with onion powder and Spanish paprika to match a barbeque sauce dip, herb fries with parsley, rosemary, chives, and garlic with their onion ketchup, or their healthy truffle oil fries served with aioli. The healthy herb additions can give you a burst of flavors that would make you never forget these fries!
Balthazar’s Fries
Another New Yorker French fries, it makes it to the list of best French fries since it works great with either the restaurant’s steaks or their sandwiches. The large serving to match their steaks wouldn’t add a whole lot of calories while still making it the perfect match for their sumptuous offers.
Next time you head out to satisfy your French fry cravings, choose from the best French fries in the US instead of an order of the worst French fries no matter how tempting they may be! These healthier options will give you the benefit of good fats and just a healthy dose of your daily caloric requirement without sacrificing the flavor.
