This Fast Food Chain's Frozen Fries Really Aren't Worth Your Money

Part of how some major fast food chains serve customers quickly is that many items are often prepared at central processing facilities; the restaurant merely finishes cooking them. And since these items are frozen in the first place, it's easy for corporations to also sell them at grocery stores. But when Nathan's Famous did this with its french fries, it somehow missed the mark.

When our taste tester ranked frozen favorites from several fast food chains — sliders, boneless chicken, pretzels, and more — the fries from this hot dog legend came in last place. Unlike the flavorful fries you can get in-store, the frozen Nathan's Famous Jumbo Crinkle Cut French Fries are forgettably bland. They're not a complete disaster, and if you wanted fries on which to experiment with your own seasonings, they're actually not a bad choice. But as they come, the potatoes seem to have no seasoning whatsoever, making them a disappointment on their own. It's a stark contrast from others on the list, and other frozen fast food fries, which taste much closer to what the restaurant actually sells.

These fries need some help to achieve greatness, so if flavor experimentation excites you (or there was just a sale too good to refuse), there are some easy ways to boost the overall eating experience. But the first tip isn't seasoning, it's cooking. Drizzle french fries in olive oil before putting them in the oven or air fryer. Frozen fries don't typically need any additional oil, but a small extra amount improves crispiness and infuses them with the oil's flavor.

You can also borrow from one of the chef-approved ways to elevate frozen food from bland to fresh by adding actual fresh ingredients. Mix the aforementioned olive oil with finely minced fresh garlic cloves before drizzling the fries with it. Showering them in garlic salt also works, but minced cloves in oil adds a restaurant flair even Nathan's Famous doesn't have.

Certain fresh ingredients are also some of the underrated seasonings to put on french fries. A handful of freshly chopped herbs like basil or rosemary will make these fries sing, with or without homemade garlic oil. Beyond that, there's also Old Bay, ranch seasoning, tajín, and many more possibilities. However, while these tips would improve Nathan's Famous frozen fries, they also work on better brands. You may as well start with something tastier in the first place.