In the vibrant college town of Bloomington, the french fry is an essential food group, fueling late-night study sessions and post-game celebrations.
The city’s food scene is a fantastic mix of old-school traditions and innovative culinary ideas, and its french fry offerings are no different.
You’ll find everything from classic, skin-on potato perfection to creatively seasoned and sauced-up masterpieces.
The perfect Bloomington fry has to be good enough to stand on its own, yet be the perfect companion to a great burger or sandwich.
These are the spots that have mastered the art, creating fries that have locals and students lining up.
Here are five restaurants in Bloomington with the best french fries you’ll ever taste.
1. Upland Brewing Co.
Upland is a Bloomington icon, beloved for its craft beer and its consistently excellent pub fare.
Their kitchen crafts some of the most reliable and delicious fries in town, the perfect match for their hoppy IPAs and rich stouts.
These are classic, hand-cut fries, fried to a beautiful golden brown with a satisfyingly crisp exterior and a tender inside.
They are seasoned with just the right amount of salt, letting the pure potato flavor shine through.
For an extra treat, order them “loaded” with beer cheese, bacon, and chives for an indulgent feast.
2. The Owlery Restaurant
This vegetarian hotspot proves that you don’t need meat to make a satisfying meal, and their fries are a case in point.
The Owlery focuses on thoughtful, flavorful cooking, and their fries are given the same star treatment as their main dishes.
They are hand-cut, perfectly fried, and can be ordered with a variety of incredible house-made vegan dipping sauces, from spicy aioli to creamy ranch.
The real showstopper, however, is their poutine, which uses a rich mushroom gravy and vegan cheese curds to create a plant-based masterpiece.
It’s a testament to how fantastic a simple fry can be when made with care.
3. BuffaLouie’s
Located in the historic Gables building, BuffaLouie’s is a legendary Indiana University institution, famous for its wings and spirited atmosphere.
No order of wings is complete without a side of their equally legendary fries.
They specialize in crinkle-cut fries, which are cooked to a flawless golden crisp, with plenty of nooks and crannies to hold onto sauce.
For the ultimate experience, get them smothered in their signature creamy cheddar cheese sauce.
It’s a simple, unpretentious, and deeply satisfying pleasure that tastes like a Big Ten victory.
4. The Village Deli
The Village Deli is a Bloomington breakfast and lunch institution, known for its massive pancakes and bustling, friendly vibe.
While famous for breakfast, their lunch menu features some of the best fries in town.
They serve up hearty, skin-on fries that are perfectly imperfect, with a rustic, homemade quality.
They’re crispy, full of potato flavor, and seasoned generously, making them an ideal side for one of their classic deli sandwiches.
It’s the kind of reliable, delicious food that has made this spot a local favorite for decades.
5. Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream
While technically a burger joint, Bub’s has a fanatical following for its perfectly executed sides, especially its fries.
They keep it simple and classic, focusing on high-quality potatoes to create their signature waffle fries.
Each lattice-cut fry is a masterpiece of texture, offering an extra-crispy surface area and a soft interior.
They are the perfect tool for scooping up ketchup or their house sauce.
Paired with a juicy burger and a thick-spun milkshake, it’s a timeless American meal done right.
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