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The Wendy's vs. McDonald's french fry war is heating up. You've probably read the latest pronouncement: "In a national taste test, consumers said Wendy's fries taste better than McDonald's. When asked which they thought taste better after sampling both, 56% of participants chose Wendy's Natural-Cut Fries with Sea Salt. Only 39% preferred the taste of McDonald's."
Go ahead; be skeptical. That info comes straight from Wendy's website -- it's a part of their new ad campaign to topple McDonald's long-running reign as "America's Favorite Fries (McDonald's trademark phrase, by the way). And although that claim is on the pompous side, it's not without clout -- enough people have raved about them over the decades that McDonald's very identity is synonymous with those fried spuds. While some may disagree with their claims, there's no denying that McDonald's fries have set the standard that others in the fast-food industry aim for. Burger King has been trying to dethrone the Golden Arches for years, once even claiming victory after their own taste-test survey.
Wendy's claims their nationwide French fry survey was conducted by an independent research firm in eight American cities. However, there's some question about whether their resulting data is skewed -- it's their marketing campaign, after all.
We figured it was time for an unbiased review:
The Claims (From Their Websites): Wendy's latest fries are "made from 100% Russet potatoes and sliced 'natural-style' with the skin on for additional texture and taste, then cooked in proprietary oil that has 0 grams trans fat per serving. They are finished with a dusting of natural sea salt to further enhance the flavor." (Medium size: 420 calories.)
McDonald's "World Famous Fries" are "golden on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. Made with quality potatoes and cooked in our canola oil blend for zero grams of trans fat per serving." (Medium size: 380 calories.)
The Verdict: Wendy's, Grade A; McDonald's, A. Fast-food chains may be eateries for predictable and standardized processed food, but there are many variables that can occur in the preparation -- particularly with the fries. Sure, there are standard methods of preparation (and of freshness), mandated by the corporate offices. But you can still get very different fries, depending on the time of day, the length of time since they left the fryer, the amount of salt applied, and so on.
The Test: For this taste test, I sampled both fries simultaneously, sans ketchup, at around noon in New York City's Union Square area, where Wendy's and McDonald's are in close proximity. I figured breakfast had just ended and both establishments' fries were fairly fresh for the lunchtime crowd. Sampling each of them, I found myself picking from the Wendy's box more often. Their fries are crisp on the outside (with or without the natural potato skins on them) and soft on the inside, with a true starchy taste of cooked potato and a pleasing amount of salt. I was going to claim Wendy's as the victor after these initial bites, but then I wondered why the McDonald's fries were not as salty as I've had them in the past. I reckoned it might have been due to the preparation variables, which could happen at either establishment. So I added a little more salt to the McDonald's box -- only to realize that I was now picking from the McDonald's fries more often without thinking. They too have a crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside fried-potato taste, and with the tweak of salt, they once again lived up to their reputation.
Can it really be that, for either Wendy's or McDonald's fries, it's the salt that makes either taste better?
Each is a delicious shoestring French fry, and worthy of eating entirely alone, without the burgers, thank you. As for Wendy's survey results proclaiming their victory over McDonald's, I say they can claim whatever they want; culturally, McDonald's fries will most likely still be considered "best," and the ones to beat. Now if only there were a survey about the likelihood of a competitor's fries decomposing faster than McDonald's if left unattended.
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4-20-2011 @3:59PM Pyrofish said... Wendy's Fries beat the golden arches' hands down in my opinion. Would they have beat the old McD's fries that were fried in beef fat? No. Those were the fries that gave McDonald's their crown. When they changed the oil, they had to change the fry, the new fry was initially terribly IMHO. They did some tweaking, or my sparse sampling of them over the years has led me to forget how good the original ones were. They're still not the same. And Burger King's fries... the texture feels like it's a freeze dried reconstituted potato product.
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4-20-2011 @8:08PM JACK said... I agree, Wendy's wins hands down.
4-20-2011 @8:29PM me said... Would they have beat...?
Where'd you go to school?
4-20-2011 @8:39PM Lance said... Mcdonalds.... If you think wendys " NEW " Fries are better.? Just go to google and read about them then tell me your favorite. Thats what i thought..........Mcdonalds
4-20-2011 @9:28PM John S. said... Sorry Mac, but Wendy's has it sewed up in the taste of fries.
4-20-2011 @9:55PM Henry T. said... I had Wendy's new fries today for the first time, all i can say is, WOW, they were really delicious. The big difference is that they were fresh & hot. McDonalds fries have decreased in quality over the years, not only do you rarely get them fresh & hot, the taste is not the same. Wendy's is the best by far!
4-20-2011 @11:03PM dancegirl said... i had McDonalds fries today and they are by far better!!!! they were hot and fresh.. if you ask me McDonalds fries will beat Wendy's any day!!!!!! nothing compares to McDonalds fries they have a way better taste than Wendy's!!!!!!
4-21-2011 @1:53AM Jay said... There is a Wendy's on Sepulveda here in the Valley that I used to go to. I was in the mood for a 'burger tonight, but the thought of the fries stopped me. Seriously. At this store, they were shriveled, flat-tasting with a hint of rancidity and small. Yeah, and the order itself was miserly. At Mickey D, they are consistent in flavor and even taste good cold. I can't even make as good a fry at home.
4-21-2011 @3:53AM Dan said... Holy crap, Drake. That is the longest run on sentence in history. It's no wonder you work at Wendy's.
4-21-2011 @5:59AM Dimples said... McDonalds is #1 and it will always be that way. Nothing compares to the Golden Arches. They have the Best French Fries this side of heaven. I love therir French Fries and all of the new coffees and summer drinks that have. It not nice to bad mouth a company or its products. Wendys should stand alone and not have to compare themselves to McDonalds. They compare themself to McDonalds because McDonalds is the Best and there is no comparison.
KARMA is a terrible pay back- WATCH WHAT YOU SAY - WATCH YOUR INTENTION.
4-21-2011 @8:45AM John said... It's obvious the writer doesn't have a descent tast bud in his mouth. He must be over weight and grew up on McD's like most of us. However, Wendys french are what you call healthier for fried food and definetly with hands down taste better. That's say for fast food freedom fries as the columinist he being judge based on the success and variety of McD's. I also like mcD's better for other reasons...but for their fries their O.K. Learn you taste buds you overweight F%$#R unless you like quarts of oil just stuop at lube express and tell them you need and refill in oil in your mouth. As for Wendy's their fries are better, crispier and they truly tase like patatoe not like dripped fried oil.
4-21-2011 @12:31PM mechelle m said... My choice is McDonald fries ,,to me that sea salt stuff is way to salty ,,I`ve tried wendy`s twice and to salty both times ...
4-24-2011 @2:49AM shena said... wendy's has the nastiest tasting french fries! yucko - ewwwwww! they are always cold. and the cashier's catch a terrible attitude with you if you ask them for a hot batch of fries or no salt!?! (wth&wtf it's my money - why can't i have a decent order of hot food?) again, why should i eat cold food because i have gone through your drive-thru window? oh i know you think i won't turn around and come back. most times not - but i am glad to have this opportunity to vent today. lol at least mcdonald's tries to give you a hot french fries 99.5% of the time. i have to say my vote is for mickey d's! give them a double thumbs up for quality assurance. yeah!
4-20-2011 @5:40PM Bob Roberts said... Doesn't matter, 5 Guys wins anyway.
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4-20-2011 @8:18PM godsrice said... yea dude no doubt about it, 5 guys is the best
4-21-2011 @12:43AM buftex said... I won't say 5 Guys is awful...it is pretty good...but I don't get all the hype...there are half dozen burger places here in Austin that are much better...of course, I am talking about the burgers...the fries are pretty good at 5 Guys, but I prefer "steak fries"...I don't eat fries if they are not this style.
4-21-2011 @7:06AM Marie Brown said... Five guys has the best hamburger that I ever tasted! Wendy's is my second favorite.
4-21-2011 @8:09AM Chris Calvin said... What's a 5 Guys?
4-20-2011 @6:16PM Brent said... But McDonald's adds gluten to their fries making them a bad choice to the 1 in 7 people who are gluten sensitive and down right inedible to the millions of Americans who live with Celiac Disease.
While Wendy's are naturally gluten free and can be enjoyed by everyone! :)
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4-22-2011 @12:51AM William Lee said... McDonalds does NOT add gluten to their fries. Fries as shipped to the restaurant are gluten free. The issue comes from the oil these are cooked in and after testing their fries do not pick up gluten "particles" in the frying process. However, if the individual restaurants use "non-approved" cooking oils or cook other products in the same vat as the fries then individual restaurants may, emphasis on may, introduce gluten to the product. Wendy's likely has the same issues. That said - a once lover of Mc Donalds fries, I no longer can eat them. The new oil simply leaves a cotton-like after taste. No issues with digestion, just taste funny. I for one prefer good old animal fat, but understand why it is no longer the public choice.