In Knoxville, a city where Southern comfort food reigns supreme, the french fry is more than just a side dish; it’s a beloved staple.
The city’s food scene, a blend of Appalachian tradition and modern culinary innovation, offers a fantastic array of fried potato perfection.
The search for the best fries will lead you from lively Market Square gastropubs to cherished neighborhood burger joints.
Knoxville chefs know that a truly memorable fry is a craft, a delicate balance of potato variety, oil temperature, and seasoning.
Whether you crave them loaded with toppings or simply salted, Knoxville delivers a fry experience that is pure comfort.
Here are five restaurants in Knoxville with the best french fries you’ll ever taste.
1. Stock & Barrel
Stock & Barrel is famous for its gourmet burgers, and the perfect burger deserves perfect fries.
Their hand-cut french fries are a masterclass in texture, fried to an ideal golden brown with a fluffy interior.
They are lightly seasoned, allowing the high-quality potato flavor to shine.
The real move is to order them with one of their incredible house-made aiolis, like the garlic or the chipotle aioli, for an elevated experience.
2. Abridged Beer Company
This brewery and pub takes its beer and its bar food equally seriously, and the fries are no exception.
Abridged serves up delicious, medium-cut fries that are consistently crispy and never greasy.
What makes them stand out is their “Animal Fries,” a decadent platter of fries topped with a creamy beer cheese sauce, caramelized onions, and a special house sauce.
It’s the ultimate shareable snack to enjoy alongside their excellent craft brews.
3. Gus’s Good Times Deli
A Knoxville institution near the UT campus, Gus’s has been serving students and locals for decades.
While known for their deli sandwiches, their crinkle-cut fries are legendary in their own right.
They are the nostalgic, perfectly crispy fries of your childhood, always served hot and generously salted.
For a true Knoxville experience, get them with a side of their steamed pastrami for dipping.
4. The French Market Creperie
You might not expect a creperie to have world-class fries, but The French Market delivers a delightful surprise.
They serve authentic “frites” in the classic French style: thin, crispy, and served in a paper cone.
They are fried to perfection and seasoned with just the right amount of salt.
Enjoy them with a side of their tangy Dijon mustard for a truly Parisian-inspired treat.
5. Not Watson’s Kitchen & Bar
Located in the heart of Market Square, Not Watson’s is a lively spot with an inventive menu.
Their “Duck Fat Fries” are a must-try for any serious fry connoisseur.
The fries are rendered incredibly crispy and imbued with a rich, savory flavor from being fried in duck fat.
They are served with a side of house-made ketchup, but honestly, they are spectacular all on their own.
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