Dayton restaurants-best french fries

Dayton restaurants — Best french fries in the Dayton area

The Active Dayton Taste Team loves fast food. Since we've already gorged ourselves on burgers and sucked down some great shakes, we thought it was time for a side of fries. We hit up eight different drive-thrus and brought all the fries together for a blind tasting. Check out the results below, listed from our favorite overall, Rally's, to our least favorite, Frisch's Big Boy.

We also had the taste teamers try to guess the identity of the fries based on sight and taste. Let's face it, most fries look pretty much the same, so it was mainly up to the taste buds. The most easily identifiable — McDonald's and Wendy's. Frisch's stumped everyone.

Here are our results from best overall taste rating to the worst.

— Katie Wedell, Staff Writer

	Cost How much salty fry goodness can you get for your precious moolah?	Overall taste	Thickness / amount of potato 1 is one of those super-thin shoestring things, a 10 is more potato wedge than fry.	Firmness 1 is way too mushy, 5 is just right, 10 is way too hard.	Saltiness Does it leave you gasping for water? Not enough seasoning?
Rally's (6 Dayton area locations)	$2.19 for a large	Average rating: 8.6 The good: "Fry-licious, you gotta eat!" — Gerry "The seasoning is part salt, part magic." — Nick "Mmmm. Crunchy on the outside, mushy on the inside. These are quite delicious." — Michelle F.	Average rating: 6.6 The good: "Just right. Not too thick, not too thin." — Hillary "Thick and delicious." — Michelle F.	Average rating: 6.6 The good: "A delicious kind of mushy." — Nicole "Solid — not mushy or flimsy — like a fresh-cut potato." — Zack "Pleasantly crunchy." — Nick	Average rating: 6.6 The good: "Just right. Do I taste pepper too? Mmmm." — Gerry "Not salty so much as 'seasoned' and it's done perfectly." — Hillary
Arby's Curly Fries (16 area locations)	$1.99 for a large	Average rating: 8.2 The good: "Tasty, mushy, curly … need I say more." — Cameron "The seasoning gave them an advantage over most of the others." — Michelle "These are exceptionally yummy. Even a little cold, these are good." — Hillary	Average rating: 6.2 The good: "Perfect balance of skinny and potato." — Tiffany	Average rating: 5.2 The good: "Right amount of crunch." — Nick	Average rating: 5.4 The good: "Not a lot of salt, but good seasonings." — Nicole
Hardee's (4 Dayton area locations)	$1.79 for a large	Average rating: 7.7 The good: "Kinda greasy, but I like it." — Nicole "These are yummy. Nice, unusual flavor. They look like Wendy's, but taste much better." — Michelle F.	Average rating: 6.4 The good: "Excellent potato ratio. Just thick enough not to succumb to the grease." — Zack "A hefty fry." — Nick	Average rating: 5.8 The good: "Crispy on the outside, firm on the inside." — Gerry	Average rating: 6.1 The good: "Seasoned well." — Hillary
Penn Station (7 area locations)	$3.39 for a large	Average rating: 7.2 The good: "Tasty and delicious. I like seeing the potato skin still on the fry." — Gerry "Excellent taste. Tastes freshly made." — Zack	Average rating: 6.3 The good: "All different sizes. I like the variety." — Nicole	Average rating: 4.3 The good: "Firm. Not too soggy or crunchy." — Michelle F.	Average rating: 4.2 The good: "Not too salty, but in a good, fresh-feeling way." — Zack The bad: "Needs some salt. Tastes kinda dull." — Michelle F.
McDonald's (21 Dayton area locations)	$1.70 for a large	Average rating: 6.8 The good: "These are good. I went back for more." — Michelle "Almost perfect. Just the right balance of grease, salt and potato" — Tiffany The bad: "Sub par." — Gerry	Average rating: 3.7 The good: "Classically thin" — Nick "Love this. Skinny, but still filled with potato." — Tiffany The bad: "Thin and floppy." — Gerry	Average rating: 3.9 The good: "Soggy fries are the best" — Cameron "Some mushy, some crispy" — Kim The bad: "Very mushy" — Zack	Average rating: 7.4 "I can taste the ocean." — Nick "Salt is good and these were loaded." — Michelle "The best thing about these fries... salt!" — Nicole
Arby's Homestyle (16 area locations)	$1.99 for a large	Average rating: 5.6 The good: "I like that there is still some skin on them." — Cameron "I like the seasoning." — Nicole The bad: "Not my favorite." — Tiffany "Not a lot of flavor." — Nick	Average rating: 6.6 The Goldie Locks of fries: People couldn't decide on this one. Some said too thick, some too thin, some just right.	Average rating: 5.3 The good: "Mushy, but I like 'em that way." — Nicole The bad: "Way too mushy." — Zack "A little limp." — Hillary	Average rating: 3.7 The good: "Not too salty. Just right." — Hillary The bad: "Almost tasted unsalted." — Nick "Not very salty at all. I don't like it unless I have to drink water after just one fry." — Tiffany
Burger King (20 area locations)	$1.39 for a large	Average rating: 4.1 The bad: "Don't get these fries to-go, or else eat them in the car. They get cold and rubbery way too fast." — Cameron "I feel they would have been better fresh." — Gerry	Average rating: 4.0 The bad: "Eh. Thin and greasy." — Hillary	Average rating: 5.3 The bad: "Like getting gravel stuck in your teeth." — Zack "Too firm. Yuck." — Hillary	Average rating: 3.8 The good: "Just right." — Cameron The bad: "More salt necessary." — Nicole "All these fries skimp on the salt." — Tiffany
Wendy's (16 Dayton area locations)	$1.69 for a large	Average rating: 3.3 The bad: "Dry, rubbery; tastes like they're three days old." — Cameron "What a shameful fate for a potato." — Nick	Average rating: 5.8 The good: "Good thickness." — Cameron The bad: "Too much potato." — Tiffany	Average rating: 4.3 The bad: "Mushy? Are these boiled?" — Kim "Too mushy. Not quite done enough." — Michelle	Average rating: 3.3 The bad: "I'm going into salt withdrawal" — Tiffany "Not a salt fan... but this could use some salt." — Zack
Frisch's (29 area locations)	$1.50 for the only size they offer	Average rating: 3.2 The bad: "Two words: school cafeteria." — Gerry "A crime against potatoes everywhere." — Nick	Average rating: 6.2 The good: "Above average thickness." — Gerry	Average rating: 2.3 The bad: "Very mushy and droopy. Pretty sad and pathetic looking." — Michelle F.	Average rating: 2.0 The bad: "More salt necessito!" — Nicole "Complete lack of taste...ick." — Hillary "Can you say bland?" — Michelle F.

Cost

How much salty fry goodness can you get for your precious moolah?

Overall taste

Thickness / amount of potato

1 is one of those super-thin shoestring things, a 10 is more potato wedge than fry.

Firmness

1 is way too mushy, 5 is just right, 10 is way too hard.

Saltiness

Does it leave you gasping for water? Not enough seasoning?

Rally's

(6 Dayton area locations)

$2.19 for a large

Average rating: 8.6

The good: "Fry-licious, you gotta eat!" — Gerry

"The seasoning is part salt, part magic." — Nick

"Mmmm. Crunchy on the outside, mushy on the inside. These are quite delicious." — Michelle F.

Average rating: 6.6

The good: "Just right. Not too thick, not too thin." — Hillary

"Thick and delicious." — Michelle F.

Average rating: 6.6

The good: "A delicious kind of mushy." — Nicole

"Solid — not mushy or flimsy — like a fresh-cut potato." — Zack

"Pleasantly crunchy." — Nick

Average rating: 6.6

The good: "Just right. Do I taste pepper too? Mmmm." — Gerry

"Not salty so much as 'seasoned' and it's done perfectly." — Hillary

Arby's Curly Fries

(16 area locations)

$1.99 for a large

Average rating: 8.2

The good: "Tasty, mushy, curly … need I say more." — Cameron

"The seasoning gave them an advantage over most of the others." — Michelle

"These are exceptionally yummy. Even a little cold, these are good." — Hillary

Average rating: 6.2

The good: "Perfect balance of skinny and potato." — Tiffany

Average rating: 5.2

The good: "Right amount of crunch." — Nick

Average rating: 5.4

The good: "Not a lot of salt, but good seasonings." — Nicole

Hardee's

(4 Dayton area locations)

$1.79 for a large

Average rating: 7.7

The good: "Kinda greasy, but I like it." — Nicole

"These are yummy. Nice, unusual flavor. They look like Wendy's, but taste much better." — Michelle F.

Average rating: 6.4

The good: "Excellent potato ratio. Just thick enough not to succumb to the grease." — Zack

"A hefty fry." — Nick

Average rating: 5.8

The good: "Crispy on the outside, firm on the inside." — Gerry

Average rating: 6.1

The good: "Seasoned well." — Hillary

Penn Station

(7 area locations)

$3.39 for a large

Average rating: 7.2

The good: "Tasty and delicious. I like seeing the potato skin still on the fry." — Gerry

"Excellent taste. Tastes freshly made." — Zack

Average rating: 6.3

The good: "All different sizes. I like the variety." — Nicole

Average rating: 4.3

The good: "Firm. Not too soggy or crunchy." — Michelle F.

Average rating: 4.2

The good: "Not too salty, but in a good, fresh-feeling way." — Zack

The bad: "Needs some salt. Tastes kinda dull." — Michelle F.

McDonald's

(21 Dayton area locations)

$1.70 for a large

Average rating: 6.8

The good: "These are good. I went back for more." — Michelle

"Almost perfect. Just the right balance of grease, salt and potato" — Tiffany

The bad: "Sub par." — Gerry

Average rating: 3.7

The good: "Classically thin" — Nick

"Love this. Skinny, but still filled with potato." — Tiffany

The bad: "Thin and floppy." — Gerry

Average rating: 3.9

The good: "Soggy fries are the best" — Cameron

"Some mushy, some crispy" — Kim

The bad: "Very mushy" — Zack

Average rating: 7.4

"I can taste the ocean." — Nick

"Salt is good and these were loaded." — Michelle

"The best thing about these fries... salt!" — Nicole

Arby's Homestyle

(16 area locations)

$1.99 for a large

Average rating: 5.6

The good: "I like that there is still some skin on them." — Cameron

"I like the seasoning." — Nicole

The bad: "Not my favorite." — Tiffany

"Not a lot of flavor." — Nick

Average rating: 6.6

The Goldie Locks of fries: People couldn't decide on this one. Some said too thick, some too thin, some just right.

Average rating: 5.3

The good: "Mushy, but I like 'em that way." — Nicole

The bad: "Way too mushy." — Zack

"A little limp." — Hillary

Average rating: 3.7

The good: "Not too salty. Just right." — Hillary

The bad: "Almost tasted unsalted." — Nick

"Not very salty at all. I don't like it unless I have to drink water after just one fry." — Tiffany

Burger King

(20 area locations)

$1.39 for a large

Average rating: 4.1

The bad: "Don't get these fries to-go, or else eat them in the car. They get cold and rubbery way too fast." — Cameron

"I feel they would have been better fresh." — Gerry

Average rating: 4.0

The bad: "Eh. Thin and greasy." — Hillary

Average rating: 5.3

The bad: "Like getting gravel stuck in your teeth." — Zack

"Too firm. Yuck." — Hillary

Average rating: 3.8

The good: "Just right." — Cameron

The bad: "More salt necessary." — Nicole

"All these fries skimp on the salt." — Tiffany

Wendy's

(16 Dayton area locations)

$1.69 for a large

Average rating: 3.3

The bad: "Dry, rubbery; tastes like they're three days old." — Cameron

"What a shameful fate for a potato." — Nick

Average rating: 5.8

The good: "Good thickness." — Cameron

The bad: "Too much potato." — Tiffany

Average rating: 4.3

The bad: "Mushy? Are these boiled?" — Kim

"Too mushy. Not quite done enough." — Michelle

Average rating: 3.3

The bad: "I'm going into salt withdrawal" — Tiffany

"Not a salt fan... but this could use some salt." — Zack

Frisch's

(29 area locations)

$1.50 for the only size they offer

Average rating: 3.2

The bad: "Two words: school cafeteria." — Gerry

"A crime against potatoes everywhere." — Nick

Average rating: 6.2

The good: "Above average thickness." — Gerry

Average rating: 2.3

The bad: "Very mushy and droopy. Pretty sad and pathetic looking." — Michelle F.

Average rating: 2.0

The bad: "More salt necessito!" — Nicole

"Complete lack of taste...ick." — Hillary

"Can you say bland?" — Michelle F.

Where the fries came from:

Rally's, Salem Avenue in Dayton

Arby's, Brown Street in Dayton

Hardee's, Needmore Road in Dayton

Penn Station, Woodman Drive in Kettering

Burger King, Brown Street in Dayton

Frisch's Big Boy, Wilmington Pike in Kettering

McDonald's, Main Street in Dayton

Wendy's, Wayne Avenue in Dayton

The taste team:

Michelle F., 31

Gerry, 23

Cameron, 25

Hillary, 23

Nicole, 22

Zack, 23

Michael, 41

Nick, 21

Patrick, 25

Ian, 30

Tiffany, 18

Kim, 41

Michelle, 45

What do you think of our findings? Do you agree or disagree? Is there a place we haven't covered that we should visit next time?

Comments

By emmeff

June 12, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this

Root Beer Stand on Woodman has pretty good krinkle cut fries and they’re not a chain.

By michelle

May 14, 2009 11:10 PM | Link to this

SKYLINE CHILI ON MILLER LANE……BY FAR THE BEST. THE CHILI CHEESE FRIES ARE A MEAL THEMSELVES ! EVEN PLAIN THEY ARE VERY TASTY. DON’T EVEN NEED SALT.

By Nick Post

April 9, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this

Chick-fil-A??? Definitly the most popular. Go to Miller Lane in Vandalia and compare all the restaurants and Chick-Fil-A is always the busiest. On top of this, most people get the fries even though Chick-fil-A has like twenty other side options!

By Joel Green

September 19, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe you didn’t rate Chick-fil-A Waffle Fries! They are definitely the best in town.

By Hayes' Dad

September 15, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this

We really don’t know any local mom and pop type places where we get fries but as far as National Chains are concerned Chick-Fil-A Waffle Fries are good and agree that penn Station fries with some vinegar are tasty and even Wendy’s fries rate up there. We will have to try out Tank’s and Foy’s sometime

By cantbeatagoodfilet

September 15, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

Steak ‘N’ Shake

By Shanelly

September 14, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

Tank’s fries are the best!!!! I concur with the others, let’s try to move away from the chains!

By Phillip

September 7, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

Best french fries in the Dayton area? All chains, really? What statement does this make about Dayton?

By Erin

August 29, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Webster Street Deli! They’re always fresh, crispy & tasty.

By Tricia

August 28, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

Woodman Lanes Bowling Alley. Best Fries around! All bowling alleys have great fries!!

By Patty

August 26, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

The next time you do one of these taste test things have some salt handy. The restaurants aren’t supposed to salt the fries for you. There are too many people on low sodium diets for their health. Of course most of them shouldn’t be eating anything fried, either:) I personally couldn’t believe Penn station fries were rated that high. They are the driest, most uninteresting french fries I have ever had, except maybe the Great Steak Escape place at the mall. Yech. I like MacDonald’s best.

By Mike

August 22, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

Why on earth would anyone eat the nasty fries you tested when great local places are making real fries daily?

Get to Tanks on Wayne for fries that were potatoes this morning, not frozen junk in a bag.

I’ve heard Foys is pretty good too….may have to get to Fairborn to check it out.

By barbara

August 21, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

My vote for best fries has to go to Foy’s Rock and Roll Grill in Fairborn. They beat out every chain restaurant any day of the week!

By Didley

August 18, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

Fries make your a*s fat. Get the salad next time and ride your bike every now and then …just sayin’.

By teddy

August 16, 2008 2:19 AM | Link to this

You shouldn’t eat at Wendys on Wayne. I used to work there. Believe me its in your best interest.

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