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Best fries in SoCal? Oh, you have some strong opinions
The fries from Augie's on Main are so good that AirTalk listener Susan in Venice grabs an extra bag to enjoy in the car on the way home.
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Courtesy of Augie's on Main
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When it comes to fries in this town, passions run deep. The sheer mention of In-N-Out French fries can be considered a call to arms. (Of course, there are specific measures one can take so they don’t suck quite as much).
Larry Mantle, host of LAist 89.3’s AirTalk, asked listeners to share their picks for best fries during a recent call-in segment — and the board lit up.
The recommendations ranged from chain restaurants to beloved local mom-and-pop establishments, with all aspects assessed — size, shape, crispness, crunch factor and dip-ability.
Fry obsessives, we salute you. Here's what we heard.
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Your favorites
“The Hat in Pasadena and Alhambra. They have big, juicy steak fries, and you get big portions.”
— Gregory, Seal Beach
“I find the best fries at Blue Dog Tavern in Sherman Oaks. They’re called the Shore Fries. It’s a thin-cut fry; they leave it in the fryer longer to stay crisp. They’re seasoned with Old Bay Seasoning, which gives them a nice, complex, interesting flavor that works with the salt and the oil.”
— Matthew, Sherman Oaks
“Gus’s BBQ in South Pasadena. In the last year, they’ve changed how they make them, using a tempura batter with panko breadcrumbs. It also helps that they have great barbecue sauce to dip them in.”
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— Arthur, Pasadena
The fries from the Win-Dow, with locations in Silver Lake, Long Beach and Venice, as well as at the Grove.
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Gab Chabrán
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LAist
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“The Win-dow. I believe they are the best fry right now. It’s reminiscent of how McDonald's fries used to taste. It's the perfect combination between crispiness, saltiness and fattiness.”
— Jack, Long Beach
“Mr. Charlie's on LaBrea, it's like a vegan McDonald's. The French fries are phenomenal — the closest I've had to McDonald's that isn't McDonald's. Crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside.
— Simon, West Hollywood
Nothing goes better with a German sausage from Wurstküche than some Belgian fries.
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Gab Chabrán
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LAist
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“Wurstküche in downtown L.A. There’s also a location in Venice. Perfect Belgian-style fries. They have at least eight to 10 dipping sauces. The best one would be curry ketchup. It’s the closest I’ve had to the fries in Brussels.”
— Jonah, Silver Lake
“Troy Burger on York Boulevard in Highland Park. Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and one order of fries lasts a couple of days!”
— Nancy, Garvanza
“Five Guys. It’s reasonably priced, especially for fast food. You get the large for about seven bucks, and they fill the bag halfway with fries. You can’t beat it as far as the portion. The fries themselves are phenomenal. You could get regular or Cajun. I love the Cajun. Perfectly seasoned, always nice and crisp.”
— Adam, Ontario
“It's Chick-fil-A. I love the waffle fry. I love the texture, the crispiness and the softness all together.”
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— Barbara, Huntington Beach
“The Back Abbey in Claremont fries them in duck fat and then in soybean oil and serves them with an incredibly delicious sauce made with horseradish, onion, garlic and chives. It's delicious, and the texture's perfect. It's just enough crispy but not too crispy.”
— Janet, La Verne
Dave's Hot Chicken offers delicious fries seasoned with a Tennessee spice rub.
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Gab Chabrán
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LAist
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“ Dave's Hot Chicken puts Tennessee spice rub on its fries, which has a nice crunchiness that makes it irresistible.”
— Wendy, Whittier
“Red Robin, Redondo Beach at South Bay Galleria. They’ve got craft beer, beautiful hamburgers and unlimited fries.”
— Rob, Mid-Wilshire
“The best fries are from The Habit. They’re just so good. They don’t have too much salt. They’re always fresh. They never seem like they are from the day before or something.”
— Bianca, Santa Ana
“Augie’s on Main in Santa Monica. They have something called 'Froggy Fries' and they're so delicious. They're a little bit bigger than normal. They're very crispy and soft on the inside, and when we order food from there, we always have to order a bag to eat in the car on the way home because we can't wait.”
— Susan, Venice
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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