The readers have spoken. Here's where to find the best fries in the Des Moines metro
Susan Stapleton
Des Moines sure loves fries. We asked readers to share their favorite fries in the Des Moines area, and readers came through with everything from fancy truffle fries at Oak Park on Ingersoll Avenue and shoestring fries at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in West Des Moines to the thin fries at local chain B-Bop’s at its dozen locations across the metro.
The sheer assortment of favorites includes the steak fries at AJ’s Steakhouse at Prairie Meadows in Altoona and at Pour Choices in Grimes, the salt-and-vinegar fries at Guesthouse Tavern & Oyster in West Des Moines, and the feta fries at the Green Olive in south Des Moines. Many even called out the truffle fries at Alba in the East Village and Sakari Sushi Lounge on Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines.
More:We asked, you answered: Here are America's favorite french fries
The top 5 fries in Des Moines, as voted by readers
5. Curbin’ Cuisine novelty fries
The restaurant moved from Beaverdale to Ankeny in January and owners Jarrod and Misty Fontanini brought their fries coated in a potato flour before they're deep fried and tossed in a house seasoning with them. Misty notes that the restaurant serves novelty combinations such as PB&J fries with a Thai peanut sauce and chipotle raspberry sauce for an adult version of the children's favorite, Parm truffle fries, Philly fries and dirty fries with a beef gravy and garlic aioli. The couple started the business in a food cart at the Beaverdale farmers market in 2013.
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Get it: 1325 S.W. Oralabor Road, Suite 200, Ankeny; 515-635-0090 or curbincuisine.com.
More:Fast-casual Curbin' Cuisine moves from Beaverdale to Ankeny. What's on the expanded menu?
4. Lachele’s Fine Foods hand-cut fries
This restaurant is best known for its burgers, but fans love the hand-cut fries. Diners can order them with a burger or melt for an additional $2. Owner Cory Wendel, a former executive chef at Aposto, opened the restaurant in 2021 on Ingersoll Avenue, February 2021, Lachele's at 2716 Ingersoll, naming it for his wife. This fall, the restaurant plans to open a second larger location in Highland Park.
Get it: 2716 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines; 515-330-6876 or lacheles.com.
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3. Clyde’s Fine Diner hand-cut fries
Clyde’s Fine Diner owner and chef Chris Hoffmann earned a semifinalist nod from the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef Midwest earlier this year, and his creative take on fries — hand-cut Russet potatoes with a malt vinegar mayo — surely influenced the judges. Pair them with the CFD burger, one of the best in the city, or the mojo pork sandwich with a kick from the Fresno chili vinaigrette on top. Hoffmann opened the restaurant in the East Village in 2019, naming it for his grandfather.
Get it: 111 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines; 515-243-3686 or clydesfinediner.com.
More:Meet James Beard Foundation semifinalist Chris Hoffmann, the owner of Clyde's Fine Diner
2. Django duck frites
Readers fancy the duck frites at Django, fried in duck fat for a crispy exterior of umami cradling the soft potato inside. The only French restaurant in the Des Moines metro overlooks Pappajohn Sculpture Park with delicacies such as moules frites, a cast iron crock filled with steamed Prince Edward Island mussels and served with French fries made in house; the classic steak frites; or bavette frites. Swap out duck frites in any of these dishes. The restaurant even serves poutine, a dish out of Quebec that comes with savory gravy and cheese curds. At Django, diners can get a version with braised beef, caramelized onions, and mushrooms topped with Milton Creamery cheese curds or a veggie version with a vegetarian brandy peppercorn gravy.
Get it: 1420 Locust St., Des Moines; 515-288-0268 or djangodesmoines.com.
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1. Francie’s Bar & Grill crinkle-cut fries
Get to Francie’s Bar & Grill early to beat the long lines of hungry diners who seem to congregate at the entrance waiting for a hard-to-get table. It's always been this popular. This sports bar on the south side of Des Moines originally opened in 1958, named for owner Francis Anania. Skip Bachman of Skip’s on Fleur Drive and Nick’s Bar & Grill in Clive fame and Greg Fontanini bought the restaurant, remodeled it with an all-wood interior and small section of wooden booths, and reopened as Francie’s Sports Bar & Grill in 1987, according to a Des Moines Register article from 1999. Greg and Suzie Fontanini ran the restaurant at the time, and Suzie is still involved.
Grab a seat on the tiny patio on the north side of the restaurant when the weather cooperates or wait for one of the booths or high-tops in the small space. Catch the game on one of the 10 or so TVs, and sit by the small window looking into the kitchen to watch the magic happen in this space that feels like a flashback to the ’80s. Francie’s has been known for its burgers, sandwiches, and menu of Moscow mules, but fans love the crinkle-cut fries here served with ranch dressing on the side. Dip, dip away.
Get it: 2100 Wakonda View Drive, Des Moines; 515-285-5207 or franciesbarandgrill.com.
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Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, X, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.