America's best fries have been crowned but winner is not what you'd expect

A lot of attention is paid to the main events at a fast food chain: the burgers, the nuggets, the chicken buckets, the pizzas. And of course, if they’re making up the most substantial part of your meal, they’d better slap.

With that in mind, the fries can often fall under the radar. When they’re bad they can ruin the whole thing, but when they’re good they quietly serve as the backbone of your enjoyment. Even a mid burger can be elevated to satisfying heights if it’s accompanied by some well-cooked, well-seasoned fries.

It pays, therefore, to know where the best fries can be found.

These ones look a little anaemic... (Manu Vega/Getty Images)

Thanks to USA Today, you don’t even need to go through the harrowing ordeal of trying out every soggy, unsalted fry out there whilst hunting for the crispy goodness of a great one.

Its top 10 list of the US’s best fast food fries contains a fair few surprises. The likes of Burger King, Wendy’s, Sonic, and In-N-Out are notably absent, and it’s number one pick comes courtesy of a brand you might not have heard of.

Here’s USA Today’s top 10 fries list in full:

1. Del Taco

2. Jack in the Box

3. A&W

4. Golden Chick

5. McDonald’s

6. Shake Shack

7. Five Guys

8. Chick-fil-A

9. Arby’s

10. KFC

Now, you would be forgiven for not knowing much about Del Taco. It was acquired by Jack-in-the-Box in 2022, but it only operates in 18 US states. Those include: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

If you’re in one of the 33 states without a Del Taco, it might be worth crossing state lines to try some. Not only are the fries the number one pick of the pack, USA Today also named Del Taco as the overall best fast food brand in the US.

Sadly, USA Today didn’t go into specifics around why Del Taco is a cut above the rest, simply saying: “This popular taco stop, which serves all kinds of satisfying Mexican fare including burritos, quesadillas, and nachos, also offers burgers and fries. In addition, Del Taco has a dedicated breakfast menu, as well as a vegan and vegetarian menu.”

Don't sleep on these guys' fries (Diana Haronis / Contributor/Getty Images)

As for the fries, the outlet was a little more specific: “Known for its Mexican-inspired menu, Del Taco racks up plenty of fans for its crinkle cut fries. The shape holds salt and crispiness which really helps if you order them covered in chili, queso, or carne asada.”