Editor Dayten here. There are three things I’m passionate about.

Local development and the future of Kansas City
Niche hobbies, history, and design
French fries

I love french fries, and as a journalist, I make it my business to know the best fries in the city. The word is out on a good side of fries — Joe’s, Tay’s Burger Shack, BRGR, Town Topic, Westport Cafe, Harry’s Country Club, Corvino (featured in Food & Wine, by the way).

At KCtoday, we go above and beyond: we’re breaking down why you love the fries you love and how to take local fries to the next level. Put your game face on: we’re about to get serious. Topology serious.

Crunching the numbers

If you follow our Instagram, you know that KC Taco Company has the most slept-on fries in the city. (City Editor Travis tells me Mission Taco has delicious frites, too — something about a taco place.)

But a straight cut fry might not be for you. It has to do with surface area. Seriously. The more area + less potato in the cut, the crispier the fry. (Not a math person? Here’s a visual.)

Love a thicker cut? Look for steak fries or wedges (think: LC’s + Gates). I like ‘em crispy, so waffle fries are my fav. I get mine from The BrewTop with a pork tenderloin and a Quirk.

Fry this on for size

Every meal is better with a side of fries — but that doesn’t mean they should stay on the sidelines.

Summit Grill’s poutine is the ultimate comfort food: fries topped with brown gravy + cheese curds.
Tiki Taco’s KC Burrito and Pancho’s California ask, “What if the fries were inside the burrito?”
Biz & Weezy knows that tater tots are best enjoyed with a fork, and covered in candied bacon + cheese.
My deepest cut: I drove down to Leawood — for research — and got the gyro fries from KC Gyro Guys, a food truck in a gas station parking lot. They were my companion to writing this story.

To recap

Best side of fries

Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
Tay's Burger Shack
BRGR
Town Topic
Westport Cafe
Harry's Country Club
Corvino Supper Club
KC Taco Company
Mission Taco
LC's Bar-B-Q
Gates Bar-B-Q
The BrewTop

Best fry dishes

Summit Grill
Tiki Taco
Pancho's
Biz & Weezy
KC Gyro Guys