Top French Fries In Philadelphia
If you thought you couldn't eat anything more artery clogging than Philly cheesesteaks, think again. French fried potatoes may be calorie-loaded logs of starch, but let's face it – those crispy, golden root veggies make life worth living. Whether your fries are shoestrings, crinkle cut, curly or covered in cheese, Philadelphia has a scrumptious spud for you. Here's a breakdown of the top places in the City of Brotherly Love to get your French fry fix.
500 Degrees
1504 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 568-5000
www.500degrees.com
Located in Rittenhouse Square, 500 Degrees really turns up the heat when it comes to great fries. The long-standing debate over sweet potato fries is over after you try these golden, crispy babies at 500 Degrees. Original, spicy, garlic parmesan and buffalo fries are unparalleled, but the truffle fries are absolutely to die for. The restaurant is open until 3 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, making it a favorite hangout to grab a bite after a night of partying at the Sansom Street bars and clubs.
European Republic
213 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 627-5500
European Republic has two locations in the heart of Philly, and both will keep you coming back for more. Wash your mouth out with soap if you call the potato fare here French fries; the golden strips of taters are known as "frites" in this Belgian-style eatery. Fresh-cut frites come in three sizes, and you better be good at making decisions, because the menu has 20 different dipping sauces. Choose from traditional toppings like barbecue, honey dijon or parmesan, or take the adventurous route and opt for mango chutney, caviar or Jamaican curry.
Hot Diggity
630 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 886-9253
www.thehotdiggity.com
Not only do you get some of the best hot dogs and gourmet French fries in town, but Hot Diggity is home to the Hawk Krall Gallery, a can't-take-your-eyes-away collection of colorful hot dog art. Choose from three sizes of hand-cut spuds here, fried fresh upon ordering and very reasonably priced. A wide selection of dipping sauces is so inexpensive that you might as well order several to sample. Chipotle lime mayo, tamarind coconut chutney and Sriracha ketchup get your taste buds to salute, and traditional and vegan sauces are on the menu, too.
Ishkabibble's
337 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 923-4337
www.philacheesesteak.com
French fry fans have been flocking to Ishkabibble's in Fishtown since 1979. The fries here won't blow your diet either, as they're prepared with 100 percent vegetable oil. Order up these crispy potato dreams drizzled with American, provolone or mozzarella cheese, or try the pizza fries with mozzarella, oregano and marinara sauce. Sweet potato fries are another staple at Ishkabibble's, but the Ishka fries, the house special made with hot peppers and onions, are guaranteed to have you singing the praises of these paradisiacal pommes de terre.
Related: Top Creative Burgers In Philadelphia
Village Whiskey
118 S. 20th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 665-1088
www.villagewhiskey.com
Occupying a super location in Rittenhouse Square, this cozy bar and restaurant is the place to go for a quick drink, mouth-watering burgers and some of the best fries in the metropolitan area. The neighborhood restaurant has a limited menu, but what Chef Jose Garces' team cooks up is amazing. Don't tell your physicians, but Village Whiskey serves duck fat fries that are slices of heaven. You can get them plain, but you might as well go big and order them smothered with Sly Fox cheddar. For an out-of-this-world experience, try the short rib and cheddar fries prepared to perfection and covered with sharp, tangy cheese and tender short ribs.
Susan DeFeo has been a professional writer since 1997. She served as a community events columnist for New Jersey's "Cape May County Herald" for more than a decade. A writer for numerous online publications, Susan has covered health, fitness, beauty and travel, all subjects that are near and dear to her as a married mother of seven children. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
