Ten Best French Fries in Palm Beach and Broward Counties

Chips, fries, finger chips, French fries, pommes frites: no matter what you call them, thinly sliced strips of fried potatoes are absolutely delicious.

Few side dishes have risen to the same level of esteem as that of the French fry.

Sure, we love mac & cheese.

And yes, on occasion we do like a nice little side salad.

Hey, sometimes we're happy to change the starch to a crisp and creamy potato salad.

But, there's nothing like a steaming hot, salty, and slightly greasy bowl of fries to pack on the calories and soothe the soul.

Even so, there are a million ways to slice them: From steak fries to waffle fries to crinkle cut to hand-cut.

No matter your preference, the goal is to acheive the perfect ratio of hot potato, crispy outer layer -- conduit for salt, grease, and possibly some toppings. (Wedge fries most certainly, do not fall into that category but that is a topic for a future blog post...)

See Also: Ten Best Mac & Cheese in Broward and Palm Beach

As far as toppings, we don't discriminate, we like to vary it up.

Whether it's simple salt and a side of ketchup, indulgent truffle, creamy and garlicky aioli, or full on Canadian-style with cheese curds and gravy, we like it all depending on our mood. But one thing is for certain, it all starts with a good fry.

Here are the ten best French fries in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

10. Tarpon Bend's Skinny Fries

Fries are supposed to be a vehicle for salt and hot oil -- and ketchup, obviously. We like them to be crisp, skinny, and a little greasy. Even though we usually go for the homemade hand-cut versions, we couldn't leave this off the list. Tarpon Bend -- and some other local restaurants -- offer these skinny pre-made fries that are like the freshly cooked equivalent to Pik-Nik potato sticks. We know what you're going to say, "They get cold quickly. They don't make them in-house." We don't care: These miniature pieces of fried potato take us back to one of our childhood favorites and, quite frankly, they're just delicious.

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9. Poutine Dog's Poutine Sampler

Poutine, a combination of fries, cheese curd, and gravy, is the unofficial national dish of Canada. Do our friendly neighbors to the north a diplomatic favor, and try it here (although, you'll be thanking them by the time you're done). The Lake Worth shop offers a wide variety of the dish with toppings ranging from ground beef, pulled pork, and smoked meat to traditional and veggie. Since you have the options, you might as well go all in. Order the sampler; it comes with choice of four poutines in one large platter.

See also: Ten Best French Restaurants in Palm Beach and Broward Counties

8. Char Hut's Messy Fries

This small Florida franchise has earned our respect for being one of the best chains in the region. Yes, we love the affordable, nutritious sandwiches and burgers. And we're glad it's won approval from the American Heart Association. But our favorite dish wouldn't fall into either of those categories (except budget-friendly, of course); it's the Messy Fries topped with piles of chili and hot cheddar cheese (you know, the liquid kind). It's definitely not healthy, but it'll make you feel good inside.

See also: Five Most Outrageous Burgers in Palm Beach County

7. Pistache's Moules Frites

Originating in Belgium, but popular in neighboring France, moules frites (mussels and fries) was known as a working class dish for fishermen -- if they only knew it would become a highly esteemed delicacy across the world. This West Palm Beach 1920's inspired Parisienne bistro serves some of the best around. The wine-infused mussel sauce is the perfect sweet and slightly briny compliment to the crisp salty fries. If you want to go full on Belgian with the dish, ask for a side of mayo for dipping. Trust us, it'll be très bien.

See also: Ten Best Bars for Cocktails in Palm Beach County

6. Max's Harvest's Parmesan Truffle Frittes

With the proliferation of truffle oil came the expansion of truffle fries. What was once considered a delicacy is now on every menu -- and it's usually made with 2,4-dithiapentane, a chemical version of the odorants found in the real fungi. But just because it exists, it does not mean all truffle fries are created equal. Yes, this farm-to-table spot uses truffle oil, just like everyone else, but the chef's light hand paired with the superior nature of the oil used, and the sprinkling of parmesan on the hand-cut frittes make for one of the best versions of the dish that can be found within the confines of Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

See also: Ten Best Seafood Restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach Counties

5. BurgerFi's Urban Fries

Everyone loves feeling like they're in the know. This locally based chain caters to those who want to have the inside track with their secret menu. It features a number of fry options as well as burgers and hot dogs, but the Urban fries with thick-cut potatoes (almost like steak fries), parmesan, and herbs topped with a creamy and savory garlic aioli are our favorite pick. We say screw the burger, these fries are the perfect meal on their own.

See also: Ten Best New Restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach Counties in 2013

4. Best French Fries' All Around

Sure, we call them French fries, but they were actually invented by the Belgians -- leave it to us to lump them all together. This Boca Raton-based food truck serves, you guessed it, some of the best fries around. It uses a specific Belgian two-step system for cooking, which includes soaking and double frying to ensure a crispy crunchy exterior with a soft, fluffy inside. Here, you can find a variety of starchy options, including Yukon Gold, sweet potato, and yucca, paired with a couple dozen sauces, such as aioli, spicy horseradish, wasabi ginger, curry ketchup, and ancho chili lime.

See also: Ten Best Waterfront Restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach Counties

3. Gilbert's Sweet Potato Fries

Yes, fries are typically made out of regular old white potatoes (preferably from Idaho). But somewhere along the lines, someone decided to fry up a stick of the humble potato's sweeter orange cousin, and something magical happened. At this family-owned 17th Street spot, you'll find some of the best sweet potato fries around. Served piping hot atop a vintage (looking) newsprint paper, these homemade treasures are absolutely addictive. Hey, sweet potatoes are full of nutrients -- maybe, the oil doesn't kill them.

See also: Ten Best Cheesesteaks in Broward and Palm Beach Counties

2. ROK BRGR's Poutine

We do realize this is the second version of poutine to grace this list, but we love the Canadian delicacy almost as much as we love Seth Rogan, Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, and Cirque du Soleil, for that matter -- you get the point. Suck it, Canada Bashers! Although poutine can now be found across South Florida, this Fort Lauderdale spot was one of the first to the attention of a new generation of gastro-pub loving Florida foodies, and we're certainly glad it started the current Canada-loving trend.

See also: Ten Best Brunches in Palm Beach County

1. d.b.a./ Cafe House Fries with Sriracha and Wasabi Mayo

While many Americans view ketchup as the comfort condiment of choice -- how many, "I put ketchup on my ketchup" t-shirts have you seen in tacky tourist shops around the country? -- some of us like it hot. Some of us like to put sriracha on our sriracha -- why do you think it was such a big deal when the factory almost shut down? For those of us looking to get some heat on our fries, this Fort Lauderdale spot offers house fries with not just one spicy Asian dipping sauce, but two, which are drizzled on top for the perfect combination of grease, salt, and, well, spice.

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Follow Sara Ventiera on Twitter, @saraventiera.