Best of: French fries

Salted, seasoned, topped or dressed, there’s just something downright appetizing and irresistible about French fries.    

Served as a standalone food item or as a welcome addition to just about any meal, there is no denying these golden strips of deep-fried deliciousness are loved all around the world. In fact, the average American eats almost 30 pounds each year.

While some prefer regular or sweet, thick or thin, no matter how you slice it, when it comes to popular food, French fries are king. Here are some local places known for fabulous fries.

Chili Cheese Fries
Tony’s Chicago Beef 
6569 Superior Ave., Sarasota
922-7979

Known for amazing Chicago-style hot dogs and brats, Tony’s hits a home run with its chili cheese fries, too. Each day the restaurant hand-slices fresh russets, soaks them overnight and then blanches them in specially seasoned water. After that, the potatoes are cooled and fried to order. Getting them topped with cheese and some of Tony’s homemade tequila chili takes them to a whole new level of gooey fried bliss.

Duck-Fat Fries
Roast Restaurant and Bar
1296 First St., Sarasota
953-1971

Roast’s duck-fat fries recipe comes from the family memories of chef/co-owner Andy Thompson. After being fried to order, they are sprinkled with the finest English Maldon sea salt and are served piping hot.
“I grew up eating these fries in Europe, and I think their rich, savory flavor is simply the best,” he says. “Frying hand-cut potatoes in duck fat gives an extra crispy outside and infuses a hint of added flavor.”

Sweet Potato Fries
Blue Rooster
1525 Fourth St., Sarasota
388-7539

Staying true to Southern-style comfort food, the Blue Rooster and its new chef, Robert Goggin, bring Sarasota a scrumptious version of French-fried sweet potato pie. These brightly hued potatoes are hand-cut, blanched in peanut oil, cooled and fried to order. Hot out of the fryer, they are seasoned with the perfect mixture of salt, sugar and cinnamon and then served with a side of cane syrup whipped cream.

Parmesan Truffle Fries
Selva Grill
1345 Main St., Sarasota
362-4427

“This kind of French fry is often served shoe-string style,” says Selva Grill’s Jeremy Osment. “We keep ours original with a large hand-cut version.”

The fries are stacked on a plate decorated with lime and sweet chili, aged balsamic, passion fruit sauce and chive oil, and then dressed with truffle oil, chives, freshly grated Parmesan cheese and served with a port wine demi-glaze.