10 Places for the Best French Fries in Michigan + 1 to Travel For

Looking for the best french fries in Michigan? We've rounded up ten places you need to try at least once - plus one out-of-state location that's worth the drive.

Let's just put it out there - french fries can make or break a meal. If they're cold, limp or off in any other way, they can ruin an otherwise pleasant dining experience. But if they're on point, it can be a borderline religious experience.

HopCat

With nearly a dozen locations scattered throughout Michigan's southern Lower Peninsula, HopCat is widely revered for its delicious fries. Acknowledging the old name "Crack Fries" could be construed by some as insensitive, the chain went with the name "Cosmik Fries" a few years back.

Wing Snob

I've tried Wing Snob fries, and they're everything they need to be. A light crunch on the outside, and fluffy on the inside. Try them plain or prepared with your choice of seasonings (you can't go wrong with garlic parm). From its beginning in Detroit, Wing Snob has now expanded to several locations through Michigan and many outside the state as well.

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Meat BBQ

Lansing's Meat BBQ has a variety of options to satisfy even the pickiest french fry connoisseur. Hit up the French Fry Bar and be sure to sample the "Meat Fries", featuring gravy, melted cheddar, pork, brisket and bacon.

SEE ALSO: These 4 Spots Serve Up the Best Burgers in Lansing

The Antlers

The Antlers in Sault Ste. Marie offers some of the best french fries you'll get in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Poutine fries, chili cheese fries and sweet potato fries are among the offerings here.

Checker's/Rally's

You may be asking yourself why this list of Michigan's best french fries includes a national chain with more than 800 combined locations. Hear us out.

While some of the chain goes by Checker's (40 in Michigan) and some of it goes by Rally's (20 in Michigan), these two are essentially the same restaurant with equally delicious fries. The secret is in a specially seasoned batter that coats their fries before they hit the deep fryer - resulting in a tasty, zesty crunch on the outside unlike fry offerings you'll get elsewhere.

The Last Word

The Last Word in Ann Arbor is a cocktail and whiskey bar that has a pretty exclusive food menu to boot. Locals love the house truffle fries. Other offerings include paprika or sea salt fries, and shawarma poutine - house fries with shredded chicken, shawarma gravy and seared halloumi cheese.

The Electric Cheetah

The Electric Cheetah is a Grand Rapids favorite. Do you prefer fries made from russet potatoes, or sweet potatoes? Here, you don't have to choose - you can get both! Housemade special sauces include charred poblano and a chili-buttermilk aioli.

SEE ALSO: This Michigan Joint Is Among the '25 Best Chicken Wings in America'

Mayfair Bar

Mayfair Bar in Haslett is known for its "Fancy Fries" - garlic and parmesan may not be unique fry seasonings, but they add in oregano, which takes them to a different level.

Bobcat Bonnie's

Bobcat Bonnie's has nine locations in the southern half of Lower Michigan, and offers what are arguably the best curly fries you'll find in the state - perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of crunch.

Bunkhouse Burgers

Lovefood.com recently published a list of what it deemed to be the best french fries in every state - and they chose the "Union Joints", a collective of southern Michigan-based restaurants all owned by the same company, including Bunkhouse Burgers in Clarkston. The website claims this group's fries have a "nice crunch and fluffy inside".

ROAD TRIP!

It's not in Michigan, but not too far from the state's southern border.

Lovefood.com says the french fries at Ziffle's Rib Bar in Fort Wayne, Indiana, are worth the trip. Yes, you can order them plain - but why? Try Ziff's Cheezy Fries loaded with cheddar and mozzarella, or crank 'em up by topping them with bacon or pulled pork.