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A plate of fries with scallions and sauce.
Superkhana International’s Manchurian fries.
Superkhana International/Belen Aquino

The Top French Fries for Munchies in Chicago

Cure the craving for crunchiness with these prime buds

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Superkhana International’s Manchurian fries.
| Superkhana International/Belen Aquino

January 1, 2020 is a date that many Chicagoans will remember and then forget. While Chicagoans are in the habit of forgetting, they might as well ditch their New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier. And what better way to destroy those diets than with the crispy, deep-fried goodness that comes from French fries? These fries come in varieties from shoestring, to thick-cut, to British style with curry and vinegar. They provide the perfect cure for any case of the munchies.

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Edzo's Burger Shop

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Edzo’s in suburban Evanston serves up griddled and thick-patty burgers and crispy, skinny French fries. The spuds are great on their own, but Edzo’s also offers hand-cut fries in an arsenal of flavors, from garlic, to Cajun, to loaded. Watch for specials, which in the past included lobster fries that are as decadent as eaters would expect.

BopNgrill

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BopNgrill uses a hefty portion of caramelized kimchi cooked with rendered pork fat, cheese sauce, bacon, scallions, sesame seeds, and truffle to make this side dish the star of the show. It’s just the right balance of spice, fat, and umami. The Korean fast-food restaurant has locations near Loyola and in Lakeview.

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Kimchi Fries @bopngrill

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Hopleaf

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Hopleaf, a beer lover’s dream in Andersonville, also uses its kitchen to serve up crispy frites with garlic aioli. They’re perfectly seasoned with parsley and salt and paired with a creamy garlic aioli that’ll demand an immediate teeth brushing. Note: Temporarily closed.

Crispy French fries in a paper basket.
Hopleaf’s fries.
Hopleaf [Official Photo]

Superkhana International

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Don’t assume that this Indian-inspired restaurant in Logan Square will serve up fries that are somehow derivative of Anglo-Indian food. There are no thick-cut chips here. Instead the lads at Superkhana International venture to China for inspiration, taking advantage of the sticky, crispy, and sweet flavors of Indo-Chinese cuisine. The “French Fry Manchurian” was a staple of the chefs’s pop-ups, and it translates well to a restaurant setting with a cold beer or glass of wine.

A plate of fries with scallions and sauce.
Superkhana International’s fries.
Superkhana International/Belen Aquino

Chiya Chai Cafe

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This Nepalese cafe in Logan Square has stellar chai and an underrated food menu spearheaded by its thick-cut fries served with curry sauce. The masala fries are a perfect daytime snack.

A hand holds a french fry and dipping it into a bowl of orange sauce, with a bowl of fries watching.
Chiya Chai’s french fries.
Chiya Chai [Official Photo]

Owen & Engine

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The fries at Owen & Engine, the acclaimed British pub in Logan Square, come with chef Bo Fowler’s famous burger or fried haddock (fish and chips). Fowler is a stickler for sourcing, so the potatoes are organic and the dipping sauce (a malt vinegar mayo) is top notch. Note: Temporarily closed.

BIG & little's Restaurant

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Fries go gourmet with a hefty dose of foie gras at the multiple fast-casual BIG & little’s locations. The foie gras is seared with a crisp edge, and the fat is poured all over the fries making the already perfectly-cooked spuds burst with flavor. Eaters can go for something a little less over the top with the “Phil’s fries” with truffle and fried eggs.

Good Measure

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Those who miss the bolognese fries from Three Aces, a dearly-departed Taylor Street restaurant, can follow the chef to Good Measure in River North. These hand-cut Kennebec taters go fabulously with salt and vinegar. They’re crispy and creamy and served with a smoky ketchup. Note: Temporarily closed.

The Loyalist

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The Loyalist is often lauded for its burger, but the fries are an excellent addition at this cocktail bar beneath Michelin-starred Smyth.

Au Cheval

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Under the “with eggs” section at West Loop icon Au Cheval hides a dish often overlooked in favor of the burger. Au Cheval serves its fries with a sunnyside up egg, mornay sauce and garlic aioli. Little sibling Small Cheval’s fries are also noteworthy with locations in Bucktown, Old Town, and the Loop.

au cheval
Au Cheval’s fries
Au Cheval [Official Photo]

Frietkoten Belgian Fries & Beer

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Hand-cut Belgian frites with over 20 sauces to choose from are decidedly the thing to pair with a beer at Chicago’s French Market. Frietkoten knows the pairing well, with expertly made fries that bring out the best in the potato, making them the perfect vehicle to carry a wide array of toppings.

Belgian frites in a paper cone.
Frietkoten french fries.
Frietkoten [Official Photo]

Dusek's Board & Beer

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Crispy and well-cooked french fries are easy to come by in Chicago, but at Dusek’s in Pilsen they’re paired with harissa ketchup that adds a solid amount of tang to the already delectable fry. Note: Temporarily closed.

Pleasant House Pub

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British-style chips at Pilsen savory pie specialist Pleasant House read more like ultra-crispy breakfast potatoes with a creamy interior. They’re triple fried, and can come topped with gravy and cheddar or curry to add another layer to an already perfect potato.

Illinois Bar & Grill

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These crispy, hand-cut fries are an example of a simple item with exceptional execution. This Archer Heights spot, known for its burger, serves stellar fries as a complement. The potatoes are fried to a crispy orange.

Friistyle Chicago

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A unique take on fast food in Bronzeville, Friistyle is centered around Belgian-style fries. Ownership came up with conceptions like Italian beef, lobster, and jerk salmon varieties.

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Edzo's Burger Shop

Edzo’s in suburban Evanston serves up griddled and thick-patty burgers and crispy, skinny French fries. The spuds are great on their own, but Edzo’s also offers hand-cut fries in an arsenal of flavors, from garlic, to Cajun, to loaded. Watch for specials, which in the past included lobster fries that are as decadent as eaters would expect.

BopNgrill

BopNgrill uses a hefty portion of caramelized kimchi cooked with rendered pork fat, cheese sauce, bacon, scallions, sesame seeds, and truffle to make this side dish the star of the show. It’s just the right balance of spice, fat, and umami. The Korean fast-food restaurant has locations near Loyola and in Lakeview.

View this post on Instagram

Kimchi Fries @bopngrill

A post shared by bopngrill (@bopngrill) on

Hopleaf

Hopleaf, a beer lover’s dream in Andersonville, also uses its kitchen to serve up crispy frites with garlic aioli. They’re perfectly seasoned with parsley and salt and paired with a creamy garlic aioli that’ll demand an immediate teeth brushing. Note: Temporarily closed.

Crispy French fries in a paper basket.
Hopleaf’s fries.
Hopleaf [Official Photo]

Superkhana International

Don’t assume that this Indian-inspired restaurant in Logan Square will serve up fries that are somehow derivative of Anglo-Indian food. There are no thick-cut chips here. Instead the lads at Superkhana International venture to China for inspiration, taking advantage of the sticky, crispy, and sweet flavors of Indo-Chinese cuisine. The “French Fry Manchurian” was a staple of the chefs’s pop-ups, and it translates well to a restaurant setting with a cold beer or glass of wine.

A plate of fries with scallions and sauce.
Superkhana International’s fries.
Superkhana International/Belen Aquino

Chiya Chai Cafe

This Nepalese cafe in Logan Square has stellar chai and an underrated food menu spearheaded by its thick-cut fries served with curry sauce. The masala fries are a perfect daytime snack.

A hand holds a french fry and dipping it into a bowl of orange sauce, with a bowl of fries watching.
Chiya Chai’s french fries.
Chiya Chai [Official Photo]

Owen & Engine

The fries at Owen & Engine, the acclaimed British pub in Logan Square, come with chef Bo Fowler’s famous burger or fried haddock (fish and chips). Fowler is a stickler for sourcing, so the potatoes are organic and the dipping sauce (a malt vinegar mayo) is top notch. Note: Temporarily closed.

BIG & little's Restaurant

Fries go gourmet with a hefty dose of foie gras at the multiple fast-casual BIG & little’s locations. The foie gras is seared with a crisp edge, and the fat is poured all over the fries making the already perfectly-cooked spuds burst with flavor. Eaters can go for something a little less over the top with the “Phil’s fries” with truffle and fried eggs.

Good Measure

Those who miss the bolognese fries from Three Aces, a dearly-departed Taylor Street restaurant, can follow the chef to Good Measure in River North. These hand-cut Kennebec taters go fabulously with salt and vinegar. They’re crispy and creamy and served with a smoky ketchup. Note: Temporarily closed.

The Loyalist

The Loyalist is often lauded for its burger, but the fries are an excellent addition at this cocktail bar beneath Michelin-starred Smyth.

Au Cheval

Under the “with eggs” section at West Loop icon Au Cheval hides a dish often overlooked in favor of the burger. Au Cheval serves its fries with a sunnyside up egg, mornay sauce and garlic aioli. Little sibling Small Cheval’s fries are also noteworthy with locations in Bucktown, Old Town, and the Loop.

au cheval
Au Cheval’s fries
Au Cheval [Official Photo]

Frietkoten Belgian Fries & Beer

Hand-cut Belgian frites with over 20 sauces to choose from are decidedly the thing to pair with a beer at Chicago’s French Market. Frietkoten knows the pairing well, with expertly made fries that bring out the best in the potato, making them the perfect vehicle to carry a wide array of toppings.

Belgian frites in a paper cone.
Frietkoten french fries.
Frietkoten [Official Photo]

Dusek's Board & Beer

Crispy and well-cooked french fries are easy to come by in Chicago, but at Dusek’s in Pilsen they’re paired with harissa ketchup that adds a solid amount of tang to the already delectable fry. Note: Temporarily closed.

Pleasant House Pub

British-style chips at Pilsen savory pie specialist Pleasant House read more like ultra-crispy breakfast potatoes with a creamy interior. They’re triple fried, and can come topped with gravy and cheddar or curry to add another layer to an already perfect potato.

Illinois Bar & Grill

These crispy, hand-cut fries are an example of a simple item with exceptional execution. This Archer Heights spot, known for its burger, serves stellar fries as a complement. The potatoes are fried to a crispy orange.

Friistyle Chicago

A unique take on fast food in Bronzeville, Friistyle is centered around Belgian-style fries. Ownership came up with conceptions like Italian beef, lobster, and jerk salmon varieties.

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