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An Epic Guide to Readers' Favorite PDX French Fries

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Last Friday, Eater asked readers to shoutout their favorite French fries in Portland, and the response was absolutely overwhelming. From gravy-topped to truffle oiled, duck-fat-fried to deceptively simple, reader potato preferences ran the gamut.

So here now, in celebration of Burger Week's Fry-Day Friday, are 25 Popular French-Fry Destinations (listed here in random order), as determined by Eater readers. The full list of nominees lives after the map, and if your favorite still isn't included, do give it a shout in the comments.


Need more potato? Do consider these nominees, as well:
Foster Burger · The Goodfoot · Dick's Kitchen · Henry's Tavern · Vita Cafe · Lompoc's Fifth Quadrant · Jack in the Box · Laurelhurst Market · LaProvence · Bazi Bierbrasserie · Zeus Cafe · McDonald's · Pause · EaT: An Oyster Bar · Cafe Castagna · Boomers BBQ Restaurant · Moon and Sixpence · Horsebrass Pub · Dots Cafe · The Tannery Bar · Irving Street Kitchen · Sassy's · Slow Bar · Paragon.
· All Previous Burger Week Coverage [Eater PDX]

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Lardo East

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The "Dirty fries" at Lardo — topped with fried rosemary, peppers, lardons, and parmesan — have a huge following. Says one reader, "Lardo at the base of the indigo does it the best... they are UNREAL." [Photo]

Sideshow Eatery

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This downtown food cart serves up pomme frites with a variety of dipping sauces (Sriracha mayo, curry ketchup), not to mention a special delightfully called "Duck Fat Frydays." Several options — from duck fat to poutine — received reader votes, many of which sounded like this: "Homemade mayo is SO delicious!! And the poutine is amazing." [Photo]

Potato Champion

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Most of iconic food cart Potato Champion's votes were specifically for its poutine. But one reader contends, "There are several unique options around town that are good in their own right, but Potato Champion is the best 'all-around' master of fry..." [Photo]

Reel 'em Inn

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SE Division dive is best known for its ridiculous fried chicken, which is best paired with gargantuan deep-fried potato "Jojos." One commenter writes: "If they count, I vote for the jojos at Reel M Inn. Like everything else there, they're no-nonsense and perfect. The only difference between these and french fries is you only need four of them." [Photo]

Branch Whiskey Bar

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The booze at NE Alberta's Branch is best paired with its French fries, fried in duck fat before being sprinkled with sage and served alongside aioli. Says on reader, "Branch Whiskey Bar's duck fat fries are stupendous." [Photo]

Savoy Tavern and Bistro

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SE Clinton's Wisconsin-inspired bar is best known for another deep-fried dish — its fried cheese curds — but several readers dub its potatoes the "best in the city." Writes one, [they serve the] "perfect fries every time." [Photo]

North Portland's burger joint Tilt received several votes for its fries, best paired with its classic burgers. [Photo]

Stanich's

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Old-school burger joint Stanich's also serves a great French fry, according to one reader. "Without a doubt Stanich's — they are awesome just like we used to eat in Montreal, Quebec, a city that knows French fries. Especially great with malt vinegar and lots of salt. Eating fries with mayo, aoili or bernaise is great for hardening of the arteries....go for it!" [Photo]

Little Big Burger

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The use of truffle oil on fries became a topic of debate, but Little Big Burger's truffle fries were a consistently named favorite. Says on commenter, "I can't help myself when it comes to Little Big Burgers fries... I know it's nothing fancy, but those fries (especially with their ketchup) are delicious." [Photo]

Restaurant St Jack

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Several votes came in for St. Jack's fries, whether served with mussels or its underrated burger. One reader writes, "St. Jack hands down. Either as a side with Aioli or with the steak and Bearnaise." [Photo]

Moonshine Kitchen & Lounge

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NW neighborhood bar Balls the Cat's Moonshine deep-fries a good potato, according to one reader. "Balls the Cat's Moonshine has great fries and great chili with which to pour over said fries." [Photo]

Bar Bar

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Mississippi Studios' adjacent bar got several shoutouts for its fries, whether the regular offering or the "Cajun" version. Writes on commenter, "I love Bar Bar's fries though, excellent pairing with their burger." [Photo]

Sunshine Tavern

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A few votes came in for the French fries at Sunshine Tavern, though it's unclear which version readers prefer: the gut-busting gravy cheese fries, or the (maybe slightly) healthier fries "salad," which tops fries with a chopped salad of provolone and salami. [Photo]

Brasserie Montmartre

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The Francophile Brasserie Montmartre has a now-familiar ingredient in its French fry arsenal: duck fat. Or, as one reader writes: "DUCK FAT!!!" [Photo]

Killer Burger

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Sometimes, simplicity is best, according to readers who gave a nod to Killer Burger's fries. Writes on commenter, "I don't always need fresh hand cut fries. So I say Killer Burger on Sandy... they fry them perfectly!" [Photo]

Fire On The Mountain

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What goes better with wings than fries? One reader says: "I really like the fries at Fire on the Mountain — hand cut, thin, crispy and I always get my fries without salt and they do it for me." [Photo]

Burnside Brewing Co.

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To go alongside a seasonal burger that often features seafood topping a duck-fat-seared patty, Burnside Brewing also brings it with its French fries. Writes one reader, "Burnside Brewing has the BEST fries and house made ketchup! Their beers are pretty delicious too."

Imperial

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Downtown's Imperial serves up a simple, perfectly fried French fry, according to readers. One recommends the following pairing: "Imperial fries & Clouet champagne!!"

Laurelwood SE Public House

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Laurelwood Brewery famously tops its fries with malt vinegar, garlic, parmesan, and parsley, drawing several dedicated fans. [Photo]

Michael's Italian Beef & Sausage co

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Writes on commenter, they're "extra crispy on the outside, light and fluffy in the middle." [Photo]

Cafe Nell

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A few votes came in for the hand-cut fries at NW's Cafe Nell, whether accompanying steak fries or Manila clams. [Photo]

Sasquatch Brewery

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SW brewery Sasquatch has a dedicated fan for its fries, served with a side of harissa dipping sauce. Says the reader, "I've heard the chef there talk about how kennebeck potatoes' sugar and starch contents help make it the perfect potato for crispy French fries, and I think she is on to something." [Photo]

Produce Row Cafe

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The Central Eastside's stalwart Produce Row serves up a perfectly crispy fry. According to one reader, they're "Battered & crispy." [Photo]

The Woodsman Tavern

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One reader offers a colorful ode to the fries at the Woodsman Tavern: "I'm pretty sure the fries at the Woodsman Tavern are made by a kitchen full of unicorns and sprinkled with magic before they come out. They are delicious."

Burgerville

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Sometimes a fast-food fry is preferable, and Burgerville's seasonal rosemary offering has its share of fans.

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Lardo East

The "Dirty fries" at Lardo — topped with fried rosemary, peppers, lardons, and parmesan — have a huge following. Says one reader, "Lardo at the base of the indigo does it the best... they are UNREAL." [Photo]

Sideshow Eatery

This downtown food cart serves up pomme frites with a variety of dipping sauces (Sriracha mayo, curry ketchup), not to mention a special delightfully called "Duck Fat Frydays." Several options — from duck fat to poutine — received reader votes, many of which sounded like this: "Homemade mayo is SO delicious!! And the poutine is amazing." [Photo]

Potato Champion

Most of iconic food cart Potato Champion's votes were specifically for its poutine. But one reader contends, "There are several unique options around town that are good in their own right, but Potato Champion is the best 'all-around' master of fry..." [Photo]

Reel 'em Inn

SE Division dive is best known for its ridiculous fried chicken, which is best paired with gargantuan deep-fried potato "Jojos." One commenter writes: "If they count, I vote for the jojos at Reel M Inn. Like everything else there, they're no-nonsense and perfect. The only difference between these and french fries is you only need four of them." [Photo]

Branch Whiskey Bar

The booze at NE Alberta's Branch is best paired with its French fries, fried in duck fat before being sprinkled with sage and served alongside aioli. Says on reader, "Branch Whiskey Bar's duck fat fries are stupendous." [Photo]

Savoy Tavern and Bistro

SE Clinton's Wisconsin-inspired bar is best known for another deep-fried dish — its fried cheese curds — but several readers dub its potatoes the "best in the city." Writes one, [they serve the] "perfect fries every time." [Photo]

Tilt

North Portland's burger joint Tilt received several votes for its fries, best paired with its classic burgers. [Photo]

Stanich's

Old-school burger joint Stanich's also serves a great French fry, according to one reader. "Without a doubt Stanich's — they are awesome just like we used to eat in Montreal, Quebec, a city that knows French fries. Especially great with malt vinegar and lots of salt. Eating fries with mayo, aoili or bernaise is great for hardening of the arteries....go for it!" [Photo]

Little Big Burger

The use of truffle oil on fries became a topic of debate, but Little Big Burger's truffle fries were a consistently named favorite. Says on commenter, "I can't help myself when it comes to Little Big Burgers fries... I know it's nothing fancy, but those fries (especially with their ketchup) are delicious." [Photo]

Restaurant St Jack

Several votes came in for St. Jack's fries, whether served with mussels or its underrated burger. One reader writes, "St. Jack hands down. Either as a side with Aioli or with the steak and Bearnaise." [Photo]

Moonshine Kitchen & Lounge

NW neighborhood bar Balls the Cat's Moonshine deep-fries a good potato, according to one reader. "Balls the Cat's Moonshine has great fries and great chili with which to pour over said fries." [Photo]

Bar Bar

Mississippi Studios' adjacent bar got several shoutouts for its fries, whether the regular offering or the "Cajun" version. Writes on commenter, "I love Bar Bar's fries though, excellent pairing with their burger." [Photo]

Sunshine Tavern

A few votes came in for the French fries at Sunshine Tavern, though it's unclear which version readers prefer: the gut-busting gravy cheese fries, or the (maybe slightly) healthier fries "salad," which tops fries with a chopped salad of provolone and salami. [Photo]

Brasserie Montmartre

The Francophile Brasserie Montmartre has a now-familiar ingredient in its French fry arsenal: duck fat. Or, as one reader writes: "DUCK FAT!!!" [Photo]

Killer Burger

Sometimes, simplicity is best, according to readers who gave a nod to Killer Burger's fries. Writes on commenter, "I don't always need fresh hand cut fries. So I say Killer Burger on Sandy... they fry them perfectly!" [Photo]

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Fire On The Mountain

What goes better with wings than fries? One reader says: "I really like the fries at Fire on the Mountain — hand cut, thin, crispy and I always get my fries without salt and they do it for me." [Photo]