Um...*clearing throat*...I have no freaking idea. Now if you ask me about the best beer I have ever had...
Chick-Fil-A.
God I wish those people would sell stock in it.
I like both Fatburger's thick fries and In & Out's friend (though I&O's burgers are the best)!
No particular place, but probably either fries I had in Italy (fried in olive oil), or in Germany (where I believe they fry 'em in lard). And I like them with malt vinegar and lots of salt rather than ketchup - or mayo, which is what they generally gave ya in Germany.
Other Harry?
Rut's Hut in Paterson New Jersey, home of Lou Costello. This was in the late 40s and eqarly 50s. The potatoes were peeled and cut while you waited and the wait was worth it!
My mom's. She cuts the potato's nice & wide & deep cooks them slowly. Yum-Yum! The worst: Wendys!
Tough, tough question.
The problem is, even the places with the best fries will vary from batch to batch and day to day. It's all too possible to recommend a place to someone, only to have them get a bad batch and wonder what you're smoking.
That said, I think Steak n Shake's thin fries are great. You have to eat them while they're hot, though. Once they get cool they kind of suck. And I remember a barbecue place in Savannah a long time ago that was fantastic -- cooked the fries in lard for that extra-crispy, artery clogging goodness.
It's easier for me to list the places that are consistently BAD: Checkers, BK,...any place that puts any kind of "coating" on fries.
Homemade fatback skillet fries!
There used to be a place called "Herfy's" in Everett, Washington, whose logo was a giant Hereford cow head. Those suckers would melt in one's mouth. I've been told Herfy's has long since shut down, since the 70's when I used to drive up there from Seattle.
Braum's
McDonald's...back in the 70's
I have to admit to liking McD's and In-Out, although they differ quite a bit.
Benita Fritas. They cooked them Belgium style. Twice fried & served in a cone with a choice of 2 dipping sauces. My fave was the garlic arugula aioli.
Bob's Steak House and Grill. Steak Fries dipped in ranch dressing.
Sadly, Benita's Fritas closed several years ago.
I love McDonald's fries and also Steak-N-Shake fries.
On our fishing Canadian fishing trips I have to cook them at least 3 of the 7 evening meals.
We usually go through 50 pounds of potatoes for the 6 of us.
Of course, quite a few get used in the potato gun.
Checkers and Bojangles.