Who Has the Best French Fries in SOWAL?

[Iris]

Does anyone have real homemade french fries from fresh potatoes (not frozen, with seasoning, or batter)? Five Guys at Pier Park and Ft Walton area great ones, but looking in SOWAL. Thanks for your opinions.

[scooterbug44]

I think Smiling Fish has the best fries.

[beachmouse]

Aegean by the outlet mall. The fries and their kalamata olive spread are their killer aps.

[ray]

my favorite are the red bar and nobodys touches the red bars onion rings

[Teresa]

98 BBQ has hand cut fries, delicious. Also, Johnny McTighes. I have been wanting to check out the fish and chips at Maries.

There are some good fries in SoWal but you MUST know where to look.

OH, The Vue (Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club) - absolutely awesome small wedge fries.

I agree with above statement about Aegean - I love everything about that place.

Seagrove Village Market Cafe has very good fries.

The real and real good french fry is vanishing. The fake tasting (coated) ones are taking over, even in some of our favorite places around town.

[Jdarg]

Little Italy in Grayton. Order a plate and sprinkle parmesan and pepper- I don't know if they are fresh cut or not, but they are the best and freshest fries I have had since moving here!

[joho]

98 BBQ has hand cut fries, delicious. Also, Johnny McTighes. I have been wanting to check out the fish and chips at Maries.

There are some good fries in SoWal but you MUST know where to look.

OH, The Vue (Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club) - absolutely awesome small wedge fries.

I agree with above statement about Aegean - I love everything about that place.

Seagrove Village Market Cafe has very good fries.

The real and real good french fry is vanishing. The fake tasting (coated) ones are taking over, even in some of our favorite places around town.

I have to agree with you, 98 BBQ, The Vue, and McTighes.

[joho]

my favorite are the red bar and nobodys touches the red bars onion rings

Nicks on the Beach onion rings are hand sliced, dipped and breaded per order. They're pretty good.
.

[Miss Kitty]

McTighes...hands down!

[Teresa]

Little Italy in Grayton. Order a plate and sprinkle parmesan and pepper- I don't know if they are fresh cut or not, but they are the best and freshest fries I have had since moving here!

on the list to try asap!

[kurt]

My rules for the fry contest:

- no corn starch coating to make it crispy even though it's been under the heat lamp for 2 hours. Hello! Fries are supposed to taste like grease and potatoes not corn starch.

- If they've been out of the hot oil for more than 5 minutes drop them in the trash can on your way to my table. You are not going to make my list if you ever put them under a heat lamp.

- do not put any salt or seasoning on them. I'll handle that thank you.

- I require decent ketchup. And no packets! By the time I open the required 22 packets my fries are either eaten or cold, and I have ketchup all over my hands.

------------

Damn you mexican restaurant industry! You make some excellent fries. How come all of you decided to start using packets on the same day?

[Teresa]

a life lesson: mexican restaurants always have the BEST french fries. must be the oil.

[Beach Runner]

Kurt,
Best individual ketchup dispensers ever in Australia. You just squeeze the two ends of the packet and it all pops it. Not like squeezing tube toothpaste which is slow. We used them on "chips" (Australian for fries). "Chips" are the standard bar food there. $6 a serving.

In contrast, in Spain even in a restaurant where the meal is $100 and above per person, it is stylish to serve chips as an appetizer. But those chips are like our Lay's classic potato chips. Weird.

Here's a photo of the ingenious ketchup packet and a "chip" at a bar snack in Australia.

[DD]

My rules for the fry contest:

- no corn starch coating to make it crispy even though it's been under the heat lamp for 2 hours. Hello! Fries are supposed to taste like grease and potatoes not corn starch.

- If they've been out of the hot oil for more than 5 minutes drop them in the trash can on your way to my table. You are not going to make my list if you ever put them under a heat lamp.

- do not put any salt or seasoning on them. I'll handle that thank you.

- I require decent ketchup. And no packets! By the time I open the required 22 packets my fries are either eaten or cold, and I have ketchup all over my hands.

------------

Damn you mexican restaurant industry! You make some excellent fries. How come all of you decided to start using packets on the same day?

Thank you!! My feelings exactly! Make 'em fresh crinkles and they're a winner in my book.

[Teresa]

Thank you!! My feelings exactly! Make 'em fresh crinkles and they're a winner in my book.

heck, I love frozen, fried crinkles at any ole diner!

[DD]

frozen'll do too. i bet there's not many fresh crinkles around any more. sadly.

[scooterbug44]

No packets - just refill the bottle on the table as needed.

I think what else is in the oil improves flavor - biggest mistake McDonald's ever made was stopping the beef fat for their fries.

[kitlit]

My favorites on 30A are Pandora's (big, fat, starchy steak fries!), Flip Flops (big, fat, starchy string cut fries!) and Sally's (frozen, fat, starchy crinkles fries!)... Can you tell I don't care for 'em crispy?

Truth be told, I never met a french fry I didn't like , but I do like some more than others...

McTighes' are good for the grease factor, but are too skinny. They are, however, instantly moved to the top of my list when consumed with Ms. Kitty after an evening of smokin', drinkin', cussin' and dancin' to Redd's singin' over at Sally's next door...

That makes them EPIC!

[DD]

Kit, you are absolutely right. Kitty makes everything better!!

[pflbchlvr]

98 Barbeque......... the bomb fries!!

[Jim Tucker]

I like 'em crispy and hot. McDonald's right out of the fryer are good. I like crinkle cut hot and crispy too.

[middlesister]

Little Italy in Grayton? Where is it? Is Smiling Fish the place by Lucille's?

[ameliaj]

I swear this works. Saw it on America's Test Kitchen. Of course they used perfectly cut fresh potatoes. But....it still works with frozen. Put your regular old standard crinkly fries in cold vegetable oil. Yes, I said cold. Turn on the heat and let the oil & potatoes heat together to a rolling boil. Stir the potatoes to make sure none are stuck to the bottom. Cook until the desired crispness. These fries are not greasy and they are really crisp on the outside the fluffy on the inside.

[Jim Tucker]

Little Italy in Grayton? Where is it? Is Smiling Fish the place by Lucille's?

Little Italy is in Uptown Grayton where Gravel Road was. Yes smiling fish is by Lucille's.

[Teresa]

I swear this works. Saw it on America's Test Kitchen. Of course they used perfectly cut fresh potatoes. But....it still works with frozen. Put your regular old standard crinkly fries in cold vegetable oil. Yes, I said cold. Turn on the heat and let the oil & potatoes heat together to a rolling boil. Stir the potatoes to make sure none are stuck to the bottom. Cook until the desired crispness. These fries are not greasy and they are really crisp on the outside the fluffy on the inside.

really??? this looks worth trying!!

I love a MacDonald fry! and Wendy's! and any diner crinkle cut!!! honestly, even Smiling Fish and Red Bar are serving those starchy, coated fries that just don't work for me. I will eat them, but I would prefer a real fry.

McTighs and 98 BBQ are terrific because they are hand cut.

Can't wait to try Little Italy's fries!!! I have always liked the fries at Flip Flops.

[ray]

i used to go to the sant rosa beach club which is vue and i thought they had the best burger out there. do they still offer the beach grilled burger for lunch?

[Teresa]

i used to go to the sant rosa beach club which is vued and i thought they had the best burger out there. do they still offer the beach grilled burger for lunched burger for lunch?

I saw a burger on the menu but haven't tried it. the fries were terrific.

[Teresa]

Ballyhoo Bar & Grill in Blue Mountain Beach.

Two words: crinkle cut.

delicious!

(the burger was outstanding too - one of the best I've had in SoWal).

[DD]

Ballyhoo Bar & Grill in Blue Mountain Beach.

Two words: crinkle cut.

delicious!

(the burger was outstanding too - one of the best I've had in SoWal).

I'm soooo there.

[Carol G]

I know what's for lunch today!!!

[iwishiwasthere]

My family and I commented that good fried make a BIG difference in the meal. Hopefully some restaurants read this site and will make a few changes.

[truluv]

mctighes!!!!!

[Iris]

The winner is "98 BBQ"..fries are awesome and better than any we've had in SOWAL. Thanks to all that recommended them. We have eaten there but never had the fries. Must admit that the BBQ was just as great. Other BBQ places have a little too much fat in their mixture and don't get me wrong, I love fat! We have ordered take out from a place down the street four times in the last couple of months and although very tastey I am amazed at the amount of fat.

Yeah for 98 BBQ.

[Teresa]

The winner is "98 BBQ"..fries are awesome and better than any we've had in SOWAL. Thanks to all that recommended them. We have eaten there but never had the fries. Must admit that the BBQ was just as great. Other BBQ places have a little too much fat in their mixture and don't get me wrong, I love fat! We have ordered take out from a place down the street four times in the last couple of months and although very tastey I am amazed at the amount of fat.

Yeah for 98 BBQ.

totally agree! 98 BBQ does great fries and BBQ! and great BBQ is hard to come by in Florida, imo!

[Allifunn]

Nicks on the Beach onion rings are hand sliced, dipped and breaded per order. They're pretty good.
.

I make a total pig of myself when it comes to these onion rings !!

[joho]

I make a total pig of myself when it comes to these onion rings !!

ya think? lol

[yummy]

Nicks on the Beach onion rings are hand sliced, dipped and breaded per order. They're pretty good.
.

shorty's has FABULOUS fresh onion rings made with red onions. yummmmmm.

[scooterbug44]

House of Klaus has good fries - not all mushy or covered in seasoned salt like some places.

[Iris]

98 BBQ has hand cut fries, delicious. Also, Johnny McTighes. I have been wanting to check out the fish and chips at Maries.

There are some good fries in SoWal but you MUST know where to look.

OH, The Vue (Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club) - absolutely awesome small wedge fries.

I agree with above statement about Aegean - I love everything about that place.

Seagrove Village Market Cafe has very good fries.

The real and real good french fry is vanishing. The fake tasting (coated) ones are taking over, even in some of our favorite places around town.

Teresa,

I dug up the thread from last year and YOU were the one that sent me to 98 BBQ. Thanks. They are great. Now you must try Edward's. I have only had them once and it was after lent and no fries for 40 days! But I am sure they are as good as I remember them from last week.

Again, thanks.

Hopefully someone will come up with other places. I drive far distances for good food.

[Teresa]

Teresa,

I dug up the thread from last year and YOU were the one that sent me to 98 BBQ. Thanks. They are great. Now you must try Edward's. I have only had them once and it was after lent and no fries for 40 days! But I am sure they are as good as I remember them from last week.

Again, thanks.

Hopefully someone will come up with other places. I drive far distances for good food.

Thanks for finding this thread Iris!

Kurt's rules for good fries apply (above post).

I can't wait to try Edwards fries!!!

I must add to my favorite french fries in SoWal list, and I'll start by listing the oldies:
McTighes
Maries
98 BBQ
The Vue
Little Italy
Coram's
Nicks on the Beach
Donut Hole
First Note Cafe

First Note is the latest french fry I tried and LOVE! and they have a great burger to go with 'em.

On my list to try:
Edwards
Pickles Seaside (new, revamped menu and I hear they have a fantastic burger with hand cut fries).

I think Bud & Alley's has good fries but will have to go and verify!

[ray]

I agree first notes grilled burger is awesome. i put them up with the best around. angus beef and grilled and very reasonably priced. fries are good also

[Beach Runner]

I adore the sweet potato fries at the Vortex on Peachtree near where our daughter and son-in-law live. Does any restaurant in SoWal have those?

[Beach Runner]

Teresa,

I dug up the thread from last year and YOU were the one that sent me to 98 BBQ. Thanks. They are great. Now you must try Edward's. I have only had them once and it was after lent and no fries for 40 days! But I am sure they are as good as I remember them from last week.

Again, thanks.

Hopefully someone will come up with other places. I drive far distances for good food.

Iris does. She drove to my favorite fried chicken restaurant in GA. Iris, next time sent me a PM and I'll meet you there.

[beasette]

Seacrest Sundries has REAL sweet potato fries that are wonderful! Regular and Cajun are good too!

[bobbob]

Yep - Seacrest Sundries has good fries. A Few Good Apples recently added fries also and I think they are real.

[bluemtnrunner]

Thanks guys, Edward's fries (aka pomme frites) are cut daily from fresh Idaho potatoes. We fry them up and season them with kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper and malt vinegar. That's it, that's all. Nothing frozen, nothing artificial, nothing crazy, just pure deliciousness.

[Beach Runner]

Seacrest Sundries has REAL sweet potato fries that are wonderful! Regular and Cajun are good too!

Thanks for letting me know!

[beasmiester]

Not only do we have great regular and sweet potatoe fries at Seacrest Sundries but we have the original "Slap Your Mama" cajun fries. Our "SYM" fries come with as little or as much SPICE as you can handle, made to order!

[Teresa]

Thanks guys, Edward's fries (aka pommel frites) are cut daily from fresh Idaho potatoes. We fry them up and season them with kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper and malt vinegar. That's it, that's all. Nothing frozen, nothing artificial, nothing crazy, just pure deliciousness.

I am swooning!

[Teresa]

OH MY, I meant to add Seacrest Sundries to my list of Good SoWal Fries! they are very, very good for sure - along with the rest of the food!