Monday, February 8, 2010

Observer Food Tournament will be ...


... about (drum roll please) french fries!

Send me your favorite fry place by Feb. 16. I'll scout possibilities and begin the tournament with 16 contenders, which will be whittled down week by week with a combination of taste-testing and voting (details to come).

The champion will be announced to coincide with the NCAA basketball championship. Previous years' winners: Moosehead Grill for wings and Luigi's for pizza.

NOTE: This is not a voting stage; it's just a call for suggestions on places we should try. The voting comes later. You can comment on this post, e-mail me at hschwab@charlotteobserver.com, tweet @helenschwab (be sure to use the hashtag #helendining), leave a message at 704-358-5250, or drop me a line at Helen Schwab, Charlotte Observer, P.O. Box 30308 Charlotte, NC 28208-0308.

235 comments:

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Anonymous said...

Rusty's Deli and Grille in Quail Corners Shopping Center

Anonymous said...

Big Daddy's

Anonymous said...

East Blvd. Bar & Grill, fries

Anonymous said...

Moosehead Grill

Anonymous said...

Blackfinn

Anonymous said...

Moosehead

Anonymous said...

Hef's - underneath Jason's Deli on Woodlawn.

Anonymous said...

Moosehead (fries at night, not during the day). For some reason they use different fries during the day...so get them for dinner, not during the day!

Anonymous said...

Tenders Fresh Food in Cornelius

Anonymous said...

Tenders Fresh Food in Cornelius

Anonymous said...

Showmars

Anonymous said...

Nolen's Kitchen, Big Daddy's, Steak and Shake

Anonymous said...

Little Village Grill which is located on W. Trade Street in the Gateway Village.

Anonymous said...

Crepe Cellar - hands down, my favorite fries in Charlotte.

Anonymous said...

Arnie's Tavern at Birkdale Golf Club - Exit 25 in Huntersville.

Anonymous said...

Moosehead

Anonymous said...

The Comet Grill

Anonymous said...

Rusty's Deli and Brooks Sandwich Shop

Anonymous said...

Lulu

Anonymous said...

FIVE GUYS!

Anonymous said...

Outback Cheesefries are still the best; although, Johnny Brusco's runs a close 2nd with addition of Pepperoni

Anonymous said...

Big Daddy's sweet potato fries. Hands down.

Unknown said...

Tenders, Cornelius

Anonymous said...

Matt's Chicago Dogs

Anonymous said...

Nolen Kitchen has great fries.

Anonymous said...

Little Village Grill - try them with chili and cheese sometime...awesome!

Anonymous said...

Rooster's!!!!

Anonymous said...

Matt's Chicago Dog

Anonymous said...

Rusty's and Five Guys for the win!

Stephen said...

The Comet!!!

Anonymous said...

I'd also nominate Big Daddy's. Amazing!

Anonymous said...

CommonHouse on Central Ave.

Anonymous said...

Try the chippers at Philosophers Stone ... like fries but a little bit crisper.

Anonymous said...

If sweet potato fries count - The Penguin has the best, hands down!!

Anonymous said...

MEZ at the epicenter

Anonymous said...

The garlic fries at The Tilted Kilt are the best french fries I have ever had in my life, and I have eaten some fries! They are absolutely addictive. Please try them. They should at least make your top three!

Anonymous said...

East Blvd Bar & Grill - chip fries!

Anonymous said...

Mr. C's, Monroe Rd and Wendover.

Anonymous said...

For sure Little Village Grill. You can add extra seasoning to make them even better.

Anonymous said...

Penguin!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Lulu, Terra and Five Guys

Anonymous said...

Five Guys or Penn Station Subs

Anonymous said...

For God's sake, go to Harris Teeter and get a bag of Ore-Ida!

Anonymous said...

FIVE GUYS....hands down.

Anonymous said...

Dilworth Grille

Anonymous said...

Comet Grill in Dilworth--- the BEST fries!

Anonymous said...

Athenian Corner, a new spot right off of Trade, next to CPCC, Great Food

Anonymous said...

Showmars, extra crispy...with ketchup w. salt on top of the ketchup.

Anonymous said...

The fries @ Therapy Cafe are delish!

Anonymous said...

Five Guys hands down

ncmphoy said...

Five Guys FRESH FRIES

Anonymous said...

The Palm Frites at LuLu's

Anonymous said...

the comet!!!!

Anonymous said...

The Penguin. Showmars makes a good crinkle fry too!

Anonymous said...

Big Daddy's sweet potato fries cooked in duck fat !

Anonymous said...

Definitely Matt's Chicago Dogs

Jenn said...

Lulu on Central Ave. and Thomas St. Tavern.

Anonymous said...

NIX sweet potato fries

Anonymous said...

bojangles, freedom fries!

PalmettoGirl said...

Funny -- we were talking about this just last night, and although I know I should be preparing oven fries more often, we all agreed that Five Guys is the winner. Hands down. Crispy, salty, lots of potato taste, and well, lots of fries! So that's three votes right there. (We go to the one in Southend, but aren't picky about the location!)

Anonymous said...

Definitely Matt's Chicago Dog. They're proud of their homemade chips, but the fries are out of this world !

Anonymous said...

Five Guys! You have to eat them first--save the burger for last.

Anonymous said...

East Blvd. Bar & Grill and Five Guys!

Anonymous said...

Parmesan Truffle Fries at Capital Grille. Nothing comes close.

Golden fries tossed in shredded Grana Padano, kosher salt
and white truffle oil.

Anonymous said...

Beantown Tavern in Matthews

Anonymous said...

BLACKFINN

Anonymous said...

Regular fries at Big Daddy's cooked in duck fat.

Anonymous said...

Big Daddy for sweet potato and Roosters for regular perfect fries

Anonymous said...

Regular fries at Big Daddy's fried in duck fat.

Anonymous said...

Big Als Pub in cornelius

Anonymous said...

Bojangles! I like the seasoned salt on fries. Very tasty and crispy.

Anonymous said...

Moosehead. Best fries hands down.

Anonymous said...

Angry Ale's! Similar to Five Guys, but local.

Anonymous said...

The Penguin - Sweet Potato Fries!!!

Anonymous said...

DUCKWORTH'S

Anonymous said...

Wendy's

Shark Attack said...

I really like Lulu's Pom Frites.

El Shizz said...

Tenders Fresh Food, Cornelius
Matt's Chicago Dog, Cornelius
The Galway Hooker, Huntersville

Anonymous said...

This is headline news in the Charlotte Observer! Are you kidding me...

Scott said...

Sonnys, the Penguin, and Showmars.

Anonymous said...

The Soda Shoppe in Park Road Shopping Center...long standing in Charlotte, love their crinkle fries!!

Anonymous said...

Bricktop and East Blvd B&G

Anonymous said...

Charley's (Cotswold)....bar far the best steak fries!!!

Anonymous said...

Big League Hot Dog in Mooresville, exit 33 by Starbucks.

Five Guys because they always pile them up high.

Unknown said...

Tavern on the Tracks in South End

Anonymous said...

Five Guys, for real.

Anonymous said...

Harris Teeter.

Frozen section, Ore-Ida.

Anonymous said...

Tator Tots at Big Daddys or fries at Penn Station.

Anonymous said...

Comet Grill!

Anonymous said...

Moosehead and Rusty's

Anonymous said...

Moosehead is #1. Can't beat the wings and fries combo!!

Anonymous said...

Rusty's Deli - Quail Corners

Anonymous said...

Matt's Chicago Dogs, Big Daddy's

Anonymous said...

Moosehead. You should see the pic on the Eat My Charlotte blog at creativeloafing.com

Anonymous said...

hef's off of woodlawn and joe momma's on s.tryon

Anonymous said...

Mooshead is the best neighborhood bar in Charlotte. Best fries, best wings, best owners.

Anonymous said...

The Counter - love the sweet potato fries!!

Bennett said...

East Blvd. Bar & Grill #1
Moosehead a close second
Ed's Tavern a respectable third

Algernon said...

pppffttt!

Village Tavern

Anonymous said...

Best fries!! You must try Martino's Italian Restaurant at Afton Village in Concord.
5380 Village Drive STE 101
Concord NC.
The fries are too die for! I think they might be homemade, so good.

Anonymous said...

fries at arthurs in belk with their ranch to dip them in

Anonymous said...

Duckworth's Grill
Park Road Shopping Center

Anonymous said...

Lebowski's on East Blvd

Anonymous said...

Sweet potatoe fries at eeZ Asian Fusion (Birkdale Village in Huntersville)

Anonymous said...

Foster's grille, Concord
Five Guys

Anonymous said...

Five Guys. No doubting it.

Anonymous said...

Five guys and Rusty's Deli

Anonymous said...

Bricktops at SouthPark

Anonymous said...

Nix, Downtown Charlotte

Jzbell said...

The Comet Grill!! Although Five Guys is right up there too...

Anonymous said...

I would have to agree. Crepe Cellar has great fries.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Crepe Cellar in NoDa has great fries.

Anonymous said...

Mez Truffle Fries

Anonymous said...

Hef's Bar and Grill--hands down

Lake Norman Foodie said...

For some reason I LOVE the fries at Matt's Chicago Dog in Cornelius, NC. Give 'em a try!

Anonymous said...

TLC Wings in Pineville
BT's Burger Joint in the RiverGate Shopping Center

Anonymous said...

Five Guys, hands down!

Anonymous said...

If sweet potato fries count. Then EEZ fusion Huntersville

Anonymous said...

Five Guys at SouthEnd for sure - super fresh and taste like, gee, I don't know POTATOES! : )

Anonymous said...

Comet Grill...for sure.

Anonymous said...

Five Guys!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Five Guys are incredible; also can't beat Big Daddy's sweet potato fries.

Anonymous said...

McDonalds!!!!

Anonymous said...

Five Guys

Anonymous said...

The Comet Grill!

Anonymous said...

Cosmos

Anonymous said...

Red Robin has endless baskets of fries. Might not be the best tasting-but the gimmick is on point...

Anonymous said...

East Blvd Grill (chip fries) & Carolina Soda Shoppe at Park Rd shopping center (crinkle cut)

Anonymous said...

Ore-Ida at my house.

Anonymous said...

Kristopher's in Matthews

Anonymous said...

Tenders in Cornelius has the best fries!

Anonymous said...

Tenders Fresh Food in Cornelius

Anonymous said...

East Blvd Bar and Grill - reminiscent of the Press Box

Bojangles

Anonymous said...

BLT Steak's sweet potato fries with rosemary & blue cheese -- inhalable.

Anonymous said...

Whiskey Warehouse
Five Guys
Comet Grill

Anonymous said...

blackfinn's fries are amazing. crispy, flaky, and lightly seasoned. If you like the typical soggy yellow fries there are not for you

Anonymous said...

The cafeteria at Carolinas Medical Center. They really hit the spot after an angioplasty.

Anonymous said...

End the voting...Comet Grill.

Anonymous said...

If they need toppings then they ain't that good.

Ostrakos said...

I have yet to find fries in Charlotte I really like. The place needs a real Belgian frites place (Lulu comes close) where you can also get real poutine.

Anonymous said...

Five Guys!

Anonymous said...

Rusty's. It really isn't close.

Anonymous said...

Shomars FOR SURE

Jules said...

Five Guys and Penn Station

Anonymous said...

Joe Momma's on S Tryon St and Five Guys for regular fries. The Stringbean in Belmont for sweet potato fries.

Anonymous said...

Lebowski's

Anonymous said...

Branchview Tavern for Funnel Cake Fries.

Anonymous said...

McDonalds, Mez, and little village grill

Anonymous said...

Max's Ally for Sweet Potato Fries

Anonymous said...

Gotta give some love to south of the border.
Wing King(Rock Hill) - Fries
McHales(Rock Hill) - Homemade Chips

Anonymous said...

I could almost guarantee you that all the people who like Five Guys fries are not from here originally. I tried them and absolutely hated them. I threw most of them away--yuk! Dry and burnt is not my idea of a good french fry.

Jeto said...

Hartigan's!

Anonymous said...

DD Peckers

robw222 said...

Five Guys, hands down.

Anonymous said...

Green's - uptown

Anonymous said...

Rusty's, Common House, Five Guys

Anonymous said...

D D Pecker's!!!

Anonymous said...

The Comet. And I think fast food french fries shouldn't be a part of the discussion.

Anonymous said...

131 Main and/or Tenders Fresh Food (Cornelius-owned by the same people I believe, have the same fries, but sometimes better at 131 Main).

Anonymous said...

BAD DOG!!! BAD DOG!!! BAD DOG!!! BAD DOG!!! ...located in University Area

regular fries or sweet potato fries...can't lose either way

Ms.Adventurnista89 said...

Little Village Grill...perfection!

Anonymous said...

Tenders in Cornelius is solid...Cant beat Five Guys.

Anonymous said...

seasoned fries at Nix on 5th downtown

Anonymous said...

JOE MOMMA'S Grille on S. Tryon St.!! Have been eating them for yrs. And their steak n cheese!!

Anonymous said...

Duckworths Mooresville- Sweet Potato & Regular Fries.

Outback Steakhouse

Five Guys

Bojangles

Anonymous said...

Lulu's Wine/Dine on Central Avenue. Simply the best fries EVER.

Anonymous said...

Cafe Monte @ Phillips Place

Anonymous said...

Cafe Monte @ Phillips Place

Anonymous said...

The Comet!! Period

Anonymous said...

BrickTops in SouthPark has the best...they are thin and crispy!

Anonymous said...

131 Main

Anonymous said...

Dilworth Neighborhood Grill

Anonymous said...

Bentley's - Belmont
Home fries with cheddar & bacon!
Great pickles too!

Anonymous said...

Cafe Monte is pretty good but their frites suck big time as well as the attitude of most of the wait staff. Their frites are a cold version of McDonalds.

I vote for LuLu for palm frites and Common House for bacon, pimento cheese and scallion loaded fries.

Anonymous said...

Zack's on Scaleybark.

Anonymous said...

Go back to Moosehead Grill

Anonymous said...

The Sub Corral in Belmont

Anonymous said...

4:15 person....I forgot about Zacks. I'll give them my vote althouh I lie at the lake and rarely get down there. The Onion Rings are killer..but fries are darn good as well.

I had planned to give somewhere else my vote but you reminde3d me...Zack's it is!

Deacon said...

I absolutely love the fries at Nathan's at the airport...piping hot and full of potato flaver, just enough salt and a splash of malt vinegar...potato perfection!

Anonymous said...

Lulu on Central Ave.

Anonymous said...

fenwicks hand cut fries. mmmmmm.

Anonymous said...

Mickey Dee's!

Y'all ackin' like y'all don't eat Mickey Dee's fries! Oh please...

For $1, ya just can't beat 'em unless ya frying at home.

However, a hot pepper cheesesteak and fries at Arthur's in the Overstreet is a winner.

Anonymous said...

Eat Here Now in Ayrsley.
Hard to find, Fries are impossible to beat. Hand cut and salty!

Chris Bates said...

Crepe Cellar, Crepe Cellar, Crepe Cellar. Did I mention Crepe Cellar?

Anonymous said...

Tilted Kilt....fries with a view!

freddy said...

Anyplace that serves shoestring fries should be immediately disqualified (they stay hot for only a couple of minutes). They need to be crinkle-cut, and crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, hot, and a uniform golden color. Tough to get it right.

Anonymous said...

Tenders in Cornelius has the best...especially with the creamy garlic dipping sauce!

Anonymous said...

Akropolis (Arboretum) and Hef's Bar & Grill (near Park Road Shopping center)

Chris said...

1849 Pizza & Wing Company in Statesville

Anonymous said...

The Liberty (South Blvd)

Anonymous said...

Lulu and Bricktops

Anonymous said...

Tenders and 131 Main in Cornelius (same owners - same awesome fries)

Anonymous said...

Moosehead by far... and I agree about getting them at night. By far the best with the Comet coming in a close 2nd.

To the Big Daddy's posters.. ARE YOU KIDDING?? That place is gross - never could understand the hype. Over priced yuppie burger and the fries are without a doubt not even close to being a nomination..

Anonymous said...

Comet Grill and Nolen Kitchen

Anonymous said...

The Penguin - Sweet Potato Fries
The Liberty - Potato Fries w/aioli sauce

Anonymous said...

Akroplis Cafe in the Arboretum. Absolutely worth the calories! Crispy on the outside, hot and steamy inside. Fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Mac's speed shop
Galway Hooker

Anonymous said...

Irish chips at Dandelion Market... dipped in Bourbon BBQ sauce... amazing!

Anonymous said...

Max's Ally in Concord. Hand-cut fries made daily.

Anonymous said...

Six Pence Pub in Baxter Village

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