National French Fry Day: Best Fries In Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Saturday, July 13 is National French Fry Day, and Birmingham definitely has its share of restaurants that serve excellent French fries. Sure, there are plenty of chain restaurants that serve up some tasty fries, but many local eateries in the Birmingham metro are known for great fries.

Where did Feench fries come from? Interestingly, the French fry is not French. The origins of the French fry have been traced back to Belgium, where historians claim potatoes were being fried in the late-1600s. American soldiers stationed in Belgium were first introduced to French fries during World War I. As the official language of the Belgian army was French, soldiers nicknamed the fried potatoes “French fries," and the name stuck.

Since then, fries have become the most popular side item in the U.S. So, where can you find the best in the Birmingham metro?

Patch looked at several customer-review sites and averaged ratings of local eateries when it comes to French fries. Here is the top 10:

1. Chez FonFon: 2007 11th Ave. S., Birmingham
2. Food Bar: 3156 Heights Village, Vestavia Hills
3. Carrigan's Public House: 2430 Morris Ave., Birmingham
4. Paramount Bar: 200 20th Street North, Birmingham
5. Saw's Juke Joint: 1115 Dunston Ave., Birmingham
6. Twisted Root Burger Co.: 2501 Rocky Ridge Road, Vestavia Hills
7. Tip Top Grill: 588 Shades Crest Road, Hoover
8. Hotbox: 4036 5th Ave South, Avondale
9. Fig Tree Cafe: 3160 Cahaba Heights Road, Vestavia Hills
10. Al's Deli & Grill: 1629 10th Avenue South, Birmingham