Curly Fries from Arby’s
There was a time when Arby’s offered a homestyle french fry with the potato peel on. They were quite good, but sadly they’re gone now. Luckily they still have the curly fries.
These curly strips of potato are coated with a seasoned batter containing cayenne pepper, garlic and other wonderful spices. If you get them hot and freshly cooked, they are definitely one of the best fry experiences in the fast food world. Crunchy outside, golden brown in color with a hint of a reddish tone signaling the mild spiciness. Soft and tender inside with good potato taste and just the right amount of chewiness. Forget ketchup or dipping sauce, they don’t need it. They are delicious on their own.
The larger an order size, the longer the curls tend to be, because the bigger fries don’t fit in the smallest container. Not all the fries are curly. I would say on average about 1/3 are semi straight, but the majority offer plenty of twists and turns, and the super curliest (sometimes called pig-tails) are awesome. I’ve had some that stretched 9 to 10 inches long when pulled out from end to end, before snapping in two pieces.
Two quick warnings. First, they are not the type of fries that most people will eat regularly, because the same great seasoning which makes them so special, can also become a bit overpowering if consumed too often. Much like your favorite rich-chocolate cake or candy can loose it’s appeal when eaten frequently. Second, it’s important that you get them fresh from the deep fryer. I don’t know why, but they seem to lose their taste and crispness faster than regular french fries. Arby’s is usually pretty good about not pre-cooking too many at a time, so it’s seldom that you will get an order that’s been sitting around. During rush hour the odds of getting a flat batch does increase, but if you don’t mind being ‘that’ guy, they are always willing to cook you a fresh order while you wait. As I’ve said, it’s not necessary to use ketchup or dipping sauce, and it can actually be detrimental to the flavor. However I’ve had several friends tell me these are great with Arby’s horseradish sauce, so you might give that a try. I’m not a horsey fan (in general) myself so I cannot give an opinion on that.
The Curly Fries from Arby’s are fantastic, and a great break from average french fries. The large order can almost make a meal on it’s own. With a wonderfully seasoned flavor that will please your taste buds, and twisty shapes that are fun to play with, they’re one of the most satisfying potato side orders in the fast food business.
Price: $2.15 (large) / Website: Arbys.com
Fast Food Critic Score: A
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Nutrition Facts - Arby’s, Curly Fries (Large).
Calories - 631
Calories from Fat - 337
Total Fat - 37 grams
Carbs - 73 grams
Saturated Fat - 7 grams
Trans Fat - 1 gram
Cholesterol - 0 milligrams
Sodium - 1476 milligrams
Mmmmmmmmmm……
Yes, excellent with a little Horsey Sauce.
Arby’s curly fries are my favorites right now, until I move back to an area that has Jack in the Box - I loved their buttermilk ranch sauce. Both of their fries are to die for!
What!!!!!! Homestyle fries gone? I just had some two weeks ago. Maybe some franchise operators removed them but not all. I’ll check my local Arbys again soon.
drpep, hello!
They removed the homestyle fries from Arby’s website, and since the fries themselves have been gone (in my area) for a while now, I had assumed it was nationwide. But I should know what happens when I ‘assume’ anything. Heh!
For example: Arby’s Chocolate Turnover.
My Arby’s PR rep told me that was over, and was a limited time product. Sure enough, in my city and locations it is. But I spoke with a lady a couple days ago from a different state, who said she just had one.
So maybe there’s hope for the homestyle fries return everywhere!
My parents mentioned they were at Arbys yesterday. I asked what fries they had and they replied curly but were give a choice of curly or homestyle. Maybe local supplies have not yet run out. I will try to confirm the availability of homestyle this weekend.
I had homestyle fries with my Roast Beef sandwich today. Arbys in Steuben County New York.
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