The 7 Best French Fries in St. Louis

Sep 16, 2013 at 9:00 am
       Fries at The Kitchen Sink. | Nancy Stiles
       Fries at The Kitchen Sink. | Nancy Stiles

Making claims on the best fries in St. Louis is sure to stir up controversy; much is at stake in this, what is surely one of the most consequential debates of our time. So consider the list below a humble suggestion, a conversation starter. We've scoured the region and assembled a collection of places whose unique style and spices make the fry far more than a side dish, but instead, a delicacy.

       Polenta fries at Mangia. | Nancy Stiles
       Polenta fries at Mangia. | Nancy Stiles

Mangia Italiano (3145 South Grand Boulevard; 314-664-8585)

The South Grand mainstay is known for live music, excellent entrees and a great local tap list. And then, of course, there's the late night menu that goes strong until 1:30 a.m. But what about those Polenta fries? Crispy and golden on the outside with a soft, rich texture inside -- more reminiscent of grits than potato. The perfect seasoning and accompanying chipotle aioli offer one of the more unique interpretations of french fries you're likely to find.

See also: - The Ten Best 3 a.m. Bars in St. Louis: 2013

       Fries with Sriracha mayo at Three Kings. | Nancy Stiles
       Fries with Sriracha mayo at Three Kings. | Nancy Stiles

Three Kings Public House (6307 Delmar Boulevard, University City; 314-721-3355)

The go-to bar on the Delmar Loop, Three Kings is so dedicated to maintaining a top-notch beer selection that they've rigged up a flat-screen to list and keep track of the rotating taps. And what goes better with a cold beer than salty french fries? But when it comes to fries, you've got a difficult choice to make: the natural cut or sweet potato. It all depends on your mood and your entrée. The fresh Prince Edward Island mussels are served up with the natural-cut fries with a side of curried caper mayo -- seems a perfect combo. But the sweet potato version belongs next to the "Flamethrower" burger. Really, you can't go wrong either way. Embrace the variety.

See Also: - The Eight Best Wings in St. Louis