thaiobsessed wrote:Went to Max's for (no, not ghetto fries) regular cheese fries. I doubt these are hand-cut fries but they were nice and crispy out of the fryer. They do use Merkt's but the quantity was skimpy. Definitely not cheesy enough. Grade C (for show me the Chedda....)

Does Max's have one size for the cheddar Fries?

Max's has two sizes--this was a small. Fry portion was generous, but I found the ratio of fry:cheese objectionable. I should point out that Max's is known more for Italian Beef and ghetto fries (of which I did not partake).

I had what may be the best order of cheese fries in my life just last week. I stopped in at Benjyehuda for lunch and had a bowl of matza ball soup and an order of their fries with Merkt's cheddar on the side. The fries are fabulous -- crispy on the outside and soft and melty on the inside. I just sat there and dipped my fries into the cheese for some instant bliss. I will definitely be back there for the fries soon.

Suzy

Benjyehuda
212 W Van Buren St.
Chicago, IL
312-408-2365

Not sure about the best, but I put in my vote for Bacci's pizza as being one of the worst. After a heavy night's drinking at a local club not far from the Bacci's pizza on Clyboure and North Ave., we decided to stumble over there for a late night snack before cabbing it home.

Being adventurous (and inebriated), we decided it'd be a good idea to order a few different things other than pizza. What was brought out to us was anything but what we expected and almost far from edible, even in our state. At best, it was a lumpy, cheeselike potatoey concoction of a poor excuse for cheese fries. We asked the guy behind the register what that was suppose to be, and they gladly said...'cheese fries!' (groan). I think I tried one that night and threw the rest out. As we were leaving, we asked another one of the guys working there what was up with their cheese fries, and he said...umm...the cheese...we don't use very good quality cheese...' (gee, why didn't I think of that). If you know what's good for you, you'd avoid this place (for cheese fries). It was so bad, I took a cellphone picture of it to remind me why I'll never go back.

My vote is for SRO, 610 S. Dearborn St. They spend the extra money to get the good cheese for their fries. Highly addictive.

http://www.srochicago.com/

I second the Benjyehuda recommendation. Coworkers took me last two weeks ago and I've been meaning to write the place up.

I agree that while the fries on their own are already phenomenally delicious, definitely my favorites in the loop and perhaps in a wider berth, with the Merkts cheddar I could eat them at every meal for the rest of my life.

My vote has to be for WASC. Susie's comes in an edible bowl, for god's sake, so it earns the silver.
Not the best, but deserving honorable mention is Jubilee Juice over on Halstead & Randolph. Great waffle fries get better with cheese.
My preference, however, is always to a Merkt's spread.
Dot's, in Portland, Oregon, had memorable cheese fries.

I keep forgetting to post about Edzo's cheddar fries. Really excellent--up there with Poochie's for sure. I had the 'old' fries with cheddar. They were terrific--flavorful and ultra-crisp. As someone who relishes the crispy bits at the bottom of the fry carton, I really hope that 'old fries' is a trend that catches on.

Vital Information wrote:When I lived in New Orleans, there was REAL cheese fries. That is, instead of processed cheese (which I admitt after my recent Wisconsin run is pretty darn good), but shredded cheddar. Then the suff was fun under the broiler long enough to melt and burnish the cheese.

Your post makes me long for the bacon cheddar fries (with a side of ranch dressing) at Snuffers in my native Dallas. This is how they do it, and it's a MUST for me when I go to visit my family. The challenge is to finish a whole basket, b/c there's no way you can reheat it at home and have it taste the same, and it's a downright crime to leave any sitting on your table. They're a local chain now, but the original is still on Lower Greenville (in case anyone is travelling that way). Remind me to never order cheese fries in Chicago, from what I gather from this thread, I'd be ordering french fries covered in yellow gloop. Gaah!

MBK wrote:burrito house... you can do what some call carne asada fries. basically its cheese fries with some carne asada, onions, sour cream... pretty much steak nachoes subbing fries for chips.

I just found out about the existence of carne asada fries. Is this the Burrito House you're talking about? Do you know if this Burrito House affiliated with them? They seem to have the same menu.

yes... in fact the second link you posted is where i got them from. they were decent, but they're not on the menu so you have to describe to the cooks/cashier what it is exactly you want. the only real place i think one can get real carne asada fries is San Diego (to my knowledge)... i think its an SD specialty.

Yep, my friend is in SD for a conference and posted about them on Facebook, so that would make sense. Glad the Niles location is where you got them- much closer than the Chicago locations! Thanks!

Happy to report that Poochie's cheddar fries remain excellent following their move to down the street...