The Best French Fries, Tater Tots, and Onion Rings in the NC Triangle

When it comes to food weaknesses, I’d have to say that deep-fried foods are likely one of the biggest ones. There’s nothing better than a basket of fries, a bowl of tater tots, or a pile of crispy onion rings, hot out of the fryer. Now admittedly, I can’t try every single fried food option in the Triangle, but I do have my faves, for sure. So here’s my informal, not so scientific, best French fries, tater tots, and onion rings in the Triangle list!

Garlic Fries at Atomic Clock Brewing in Durham

When it comes to fries, I love them all, but garlic fries may be my kryptonite! And the garlic fries at Atomic Clock Brewing are outstanding. Skin-on fries, lightly coated and battered, topped with pungent garlic make for fantastic snacking. But oh, what’s on the side there?! Black garlic aioli? Dip those bad boys in there and you will have a flavor explosion in your mouth, sooo good!

Waffle Fries at Heavenly Buffaloes in Chapel Hill

Given how good the chicken wings are at Heavenly Buffaloes, you know that they are going to have to knock it out of the park with their companion fries. And Heavenly Buffaloes does a GREAT waffle fry that’s perfectly fried and dusted with a variety of dry rub spice options and sauce. But even bare, the waffle fries are awesome here! Plump and crispy on the edges.

Shoestring fries at Queen Burger in Durham

When it comes to fries, I lean towards thin and crispy. Don’t give me those fat, flaccid steak fries, please. And Queen Burger out in Durham not only makes a great smashburger, but it also puts out wickedly delicious, crispy shoestring fries! Get them dusted spicy and you’ll enjoy all that taste with a bit of heat.

Onion Rings at Players Retreat in Raleigh

While I love my tots, I also have a weak spot for onion rings and the like, ouch. There’s something about the sweet and pungent onion beneath a breaded or battered coating that just hits the spot. The classic Raleigh restaurant, Players Retreat, does an awesome onion ring! Thickly battered with a tremendous amount of crunch and onion means you’ve got one of the best sides around. Pair it with one of their delicous burgers for a classic Amerian meal!

Onion strings at Town Hall Burger in Durham

While onion rings can be awesome, I’d have to say onion strings are nearly as good. And Townhall Burger does some great onion strings as a side. Greasy, tasty, and addictive, I can plow through a pile of these onion strings in no time at all. Paired with a bit of Ranch dressing, they are a tasty bit of deep-fried heaven.

Tater tots at Standard Beer in Raleigh

Now you may not believe it, but as good as French fries are, sometimes a tater tot can be its equal, especially when you’re talking about the tater tots at Standard Beverage in Raleigh. These super crispy potato pods are hard to stop eating. I love them with a little cup of ketchup as a side, they are perfection as a side

Totchos Supreme at Aaktun Coffee, Restaurant in Durham

Ok, so when you’re talking totchos, we’re talking about tots PLUS a lot more. And the Totchos Supreme at Aaktun are spectacular! Covered with cheese sauce, egg, bacon, chorizo, and hot sauce, you can’t get enough. And how a bit of avocado on top? The Totchos Supreme at Aaktun can be a side or your meal, make the call!

As I get older, I do realize that I should be staying away from all this deep-fried deliciousness, but it’s so hard at times. Drop a basket of these fries or tots and 15 minutes later (unconsciously), you’ll usually find it sitting by me, empty. So if you’re in the mood for something crispety, crunchety stop by one of these places on my list and just enjoy life and their savory perfection. Life is too short to not enjoy a good basket of fries!