Crisp, salty, skin-on, light yellow or golden brown, with Parmesan, garlic or mayo? Takeout 25 members and Eats collaborated to collect enthusiasm for 10 favorite french fries in the area. “Best” is highly debatable, so these nominees are listed in order of enthusiasm, but the comments say it all. Our passions for the potato finds many expressions.
1. Submarine Tender
200 Des Plaines Ave., Forest Park
Both Christine Westphal Bernard and Danielle Watson say to get their garlic butter fries.
2. Parky’s Hot Dogs
329 S. Harlem Ave., Forest Park
Joan Goodrich: Been hooked on Parky’s for about 50 years.
3. Pete’s Red Hots
6346 Roosevelt Road, Oak Park
Renee Geweniger Zoltowski: The fries are always cooked to perfection. Just the right size and crispness. My daughters who live in Colorado always make a stop there when they’re in town. We’ve been going there for over 35 years.
4. Michael’s Beef House
6747 W. North Ave., Oak Park
Alli Galecki: The fries are incredible, even after they are cold. I could eat lbs. of them!
5. Starship Restaurant
7618 Madison St., Forest Park
Yvonne O’Connor: I was so shocked when we ordered lunch boxes for a school event and the fries were outstanding!
6. Carnivore
1042 Pleasant St., Oak Park
Rena C Noble orders them: with mayo on the side instead of ketchup! They are to die for!
7. Scratch Public House
7505 Madison St., Forest Park
Maggie Grady-Hooper: They must be hand cut. They have skins on some of them in the serving. I love the plain or the Parmesan garlic.
8. Jerusalem Café
1030 Lake St., Oak Park
Melinda Ek: They have the best crinkle cut. They even get delivered crispy!
9. Mickey’s Gyros & Ribs
525 N. Harlem Ave., Oak Park
John Harris: Get the Greek fries!
10. Stick It Corn Dogs and Boba Tea
6625 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn
Claire Battle: Our sleeper hit is Stick It on Roosevelt, both the Parmesan and sweet potato fries.
