I am a self-professed health nut. Among my family and co-workers (which include mere passing acquaintances), I am referred to as “the nutso who actually loves vegetables”. So when I set out to do a review to suggest what place to go to eat french fries you can only imagine the looks that came my way!
In reality, who better than me? After all, if I consider a certain place to have a fried potato worthy enough to swallow-it must really be good. Right?
Here are some of the better places to try, believe it or not, some of them are actually chain restaurants!
The first three also have some of the best burgers to go with their fries, as well as handmade shakes:
1-As the saying goes, “Shooby-dooby” yourself down to any of the Ruby’s chain. They have thin, crisp fries, if you want the lower fat version-they’re still good. Plus they just recently added choices to make them garlic, chili and a couple of other additions, usually for a dollar more. All the restaurants are great for a family outing. Each unit has the 40′s diner theme, but some have old planes, others may have cars, trains, bikes or boats. They have tracks that run along the ceiling that allow everyone to see all the old models.
2-In and Out Burgers-not only are the fries crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, they also have just the right amount of salt. The only thing this venue does is burgers, fries and shakes. Therefore, it’s all fresh, hot and done to a turn. Pricing also puts them into my “Best of Cheap Eats” category. But that’s a different upcoming article!
3-Fatburger. Also done in a diner theme, complete with jukeboxes. Here you get a choice of thick or thin cut. I’m partial to the thin. But they are addictive, even for me, Ms. Health-conscious. Here the choices for your burgers are a little more plentiful than normal, you can even have it with a fried egg if you wish. But we’re talking fries here-these are great!
4-Johnny Reb’s in Orange, is a down home BBQ and southern comfort food place. But if anyone knows how to fry food-it’s the south. So the fries are perfect, plus they go well with the BBQ pulled pork. While you’re breaking the diet here-try the deep-fried pickles.
5-Knowlwood’s. Huge menu, great burgers, of all kinds, all can come with their thick cut spuds. They came crisp, hot and tasty. My husband likes the thick cut more than I do, so he insisted this family-run restaurant that has several units in the county be included.
There you have it-some of Orange County’s finest in french-fried potato fare!
Carine Nadel is on The Reader’s Advisory Panel of Woman’s Day magazine and has had numerous articles and recipes published both on various websites and print publications. To read more of her work, log onto: http://www.Carine-whatscooking.blogspot.com
