French fries — wedges, curly, crisp, long, short, loaded — it doesn’t matter how you “fry up” this staple snack that Tri-State diners can’t get enough of. Whether you like to dip your fries or munch on other potato-based variants, Evansville offers a diverse range of fries for foodies and picky eaters alike. And what better day to indulge than National French Fry Day on July 12?
Straight
Start with classic shoestring fries from G.D. Ritzy’s. The perfect introduction to fries, this thin, string-like snack can be loaded with toppings, dipped into your favorite sauce, or eaten plain in all its crisp glory.
Crinkle Cut
When you think of fries in Evansville, chances are the thick waves of a crinkle-cut fry pop into your mind. Set your sights on the perfect crunch/smooth combination offered at both retro locations of Zesto’s Drive-in on West Franklin Street and Riverside Drive.
Waffle
Over the years, more unique fry styles have entered the mainstream. Made popular by national chain Chick-fil-A, waffle fries inspire their own special cravings. Take your growling stomach the local route to Kipplee’s for a helping of its crunchy golden waffle fries.
Truffle
Samuel’s jazzes up its fries with truffle oil, parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and truffle aioli. In addition to truffle fries, Bar Louie stocks its menu with loaded fries, loaded tots (featuring queso, jalapenos, applewood smoked bacon, and scallions), and buffalo chips (house potato chips with buffalo sauce, blue cheese crumbles, celery, and scallions, plus buttermilk ranch for dipping).
Tater Tots
While technically not fries, who can deny the soft, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness of an order of perfectly fried tater tots? Cousins to the French fry, the tots from the Peephole Bar & Grill are crispy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside — a fantastic representation of the many forms a potato can take on its journey to being the salty sides we all know and love.
Chips
There’s no need to travel to Ireland or Great Britain for potato chips. These traditional bar food staples are offered right here in Evansville via Patsy Hartigan’s Irish Pub – where you can dunk your thick-cut chips in curry sauce, honey whiskey barbecue, or malt vinegar aioli – and Bodine’s Newsstand, a food truck that cooks up classic fish and chips.