This Wilmington-area restaurant has the best fries, according to StarNews readers

Wilmington readers know what they want when it comes to fries. In our StarNews reader poll to find the local favorite, we put forth a wide array of contenders from across New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. All of them got a smattering of votes – but there was one clear winner. And it likely won’t surprise any fry aficionados in the area. 

Out of a little more than 2,500 votes cast, 64% went to P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille, which has seven locations in the area. Their closest competitor, Poe’s Tavern in Wrightsville Beach, was also the winner of the StarNews burger poll. Poe's received 20% of the vote, while J. Michael’s Philly Deli came in third place. 

What makes P.T.’s fries so good? They’re hand-cut. Diners can even watch as the staff pulls a spud out of a 50-pound bag from Idaho and pushes it through the potato cutter. Then, the fries are blanched and left to dry. Before serving, they are pre-fried in 350-degree oil and left to completely air dry. The finishing fry is done on a per-order basis before they’re dusted with the signature house seasoning blend of lemon pepper, garlic powder and salt and sent out with burgers and sandwiches, or just ramekins of ketchup, ranch or the also-popular honey mustard dressing. 

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It sounds simple, but creating the right fry is an art, said Joe Pate, who owns the newest P.T.’s location at 3852 Carolina Beach Road in the Crossroads at Independence shopping center. The blanching process, especially, varies on the time of year and the starch content of the potatoes. Sometimes they use cold water, sometimes warm. 

"It's trial and error, sometimes, to make sure they come out great every time," he said. It’s also important that the fries dry between steps for just the right texture.

Some swear by asking for “extra crispy” fries, he said. “But some people like them barely cooked at all."

After starting in Wilmington on Fountain Drive, the restaurant now has seven locations – including ones in Leland, Monkey Junction, Porters Neck and near Wrightsville Beach. 

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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.