A bag of frozen fries can promise golden edges and a fluffy center, but not every bag delivers. In Emily Heil’s February 2025 Washington Post taste test, seven tasters evaluated nine products and scored taste, texture, and appearance on a 1-to-10 scale. Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries finished first with 51 out of 70 points, while Lamb Weston’s Grown in Idaho Super Crispy Shoestring Fries came second with 45.
There is an interesting twist, though. A separate Food & Wine tasting published on September 17, 2026, reversed those top two positions, giving Lamb Weston the overall win and Ore-Ida the runner-up spot. These results offer useful guidance, but they represent particular products and tasting panels, not a universal verdict on every frozen fry.
McCain 5 Minute Shoestring Fries: 17 out of 70
Ranked ninth in the Washington Post test, McCain’s 5 Minute Shoestring Fries struggled to impress several tasters. Some described an oily appearance, a weakly crisp exterior, and a soft texture throughout, while others disliked the flavor.
The panel’s complaints were sensory judgments, not evidence that the product was spoiled.
Wegmans House-Cut Fries: 18 out of 70
Wegmans House-Cut Fries landed just one point above McCain’s shoestring version. Tasters complained about greasy fingers, a floppy bite, and a mushy interior.
Those who prefer a firm crust may find the panel’s comments worth considering, though a small tasting group can’t predict how every shopper will feel about the texture.
365 Organic Shoestring Cut Fries: 19 out of 70
The 365 Organic Shoestring Cut Fries earned some compliments for their golden appearance, but the panel found less to celebrate once it took a bite.
Several tasters felt the thin shape left too little soft potato inside, and others wanted more seasoning. The results highlight a familiar trade-off: a fry can look crisp without delivering the texture balance a taster expects.
Great Value Thin Cut French Fried Potatoes: 24 out of 70
Great Value’s Thin Cut French Fried Potatoes received mixed feedback. Some tasters found the flavor starchy or bread-like, and a few noticed an unpleasant aftertaste they associated with the oil. Others considered the fries reasonably crisp.
That spread of opinions reminds us that a middling score doesn’t mean everyone will dislike a product. The Washington Post listed a historical test price of $2.97 for 26 ounces, but that is not a current price guarantee.
Strong Roots Crispy Skinny Fries: 33 out of 70
Strong Roots’ Crispy Skinny Fries scored 33 points, placing them in the middle of the ranking. Tasters thought they were thicker than the name suggested, leaving some disappointed by the crunch level.
Others appreciated the creamy center and the visible potato skin. If your favorite fry is soft inside rather than brittle throughout, those differences may matter more than the product’s position in one test.
Alexia House Cut Fries: 35 out of 70
Alexia House Cut Fries divided the panel. Some tasters liked the recognizable potato flavor and softer texture, while others thought the fries were too limp. The 35-point score captures that split rather than establishing a definitive failure.
Texture preference is personal, and someone who dislikes a particularly crunchy fry might judge this product differently than someone who wants maximum crispness.
Trader Joe’s Handsome Cut Potato Fries: 36 out of 70
Trader Joe’s Handsome Cut Potato Fries earned 36 points, with their irregular shapes contributing to an uneven eating experience. Some pieces resembled thicker steak fries, while others were closer to shoestrings. Tasters generally found them acceptable, but the larger pieces could be softer than expected.
There is also a price detail worth correcting. The Washington Post described Trader Joe’s as the lowest-priced option per ounce, listing $2.99 for 24 ounces. Yet its own figures show Great Value at $2.97 for 26 ounces, making Great Value cheaper per ounce based on those reported prices. Neither figure should be treated as a current shelf price.
Lamb Weston/Grown in Idaho Super Crispy Shoestring Fries: 45 out of 70
Lamb Weston’s Grown in Idaho Super Crispy Shoestring Fries earned second place in the 2025 test. Tasters praised the potato-forward flavor, visible skin, and uneven edges that added texture, though some wanted a crunchier bite. Their 45-point result made them a leading contender in this comparison.
The newer Food & Wine test went a step further, ranking these shoestring fries first among six products. Its editors praised their crisp exterior, tender center, and savory flavor. That second result strengthens the case for trying this specific product, though it doesn’t prove every fry from the brand will perform equally well.
Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries: 51 out of 70
Ore-Ida took the top spot in the Washington Post test, with tasters praising the contrast between a crisp outside and a soft center. Some thought the fries came close to the texture of freshly fried, restaurant-style potatoes. In a separate follow-up comparison, the newspaper also found that an air-fried batch browned more evenly and became crispier than its oven-baked batch, although the difference was not dramatic.
In September 2026, Food & Wine ranked the same Ore-Ida product second behind Lamb Weston. Its panel still liked the satisfying snap and sturdy texture, particularly for dipping or using loaded toppings. The manufacturer still lists Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries in several package sizes, but that confirms the product listing, not stock at any particular store.
What Other Taste Tests Tell Us
The nine-product ranking is not the only comparison worth considering. Serious Eats named Grown in Idaho Hand-Cut Style Fries its winner in a separate blind tasting of 10 products in September 2025. The Kitchn also chose that hand-cut version as its winner in a separate test of nine products, with Grown in Idaho Super Crispy Shoestring Fries as runner-up. The hand-cut fries are a different product and shouldn’t be included in the Washington Post ranking.
Other results reinforce the need to judge exact products rather than entire brands. Allrecipes named McCain Quick Cook Straight Cut Fries its winner in a 2023 test of five products, even though McCain’s 5 Minute Shoestring Fries finished last in the Washington Post comparison. Different products, cooking instructions, and tasters can produce different outcomes.
Which Fries Deserve a Spot in Your Freezer?
For readers choosing between these nine products, Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries and Lamb Weston/Grown in Idaho Super Crispy Shoestring Fries have the strongest cross-test support. Their first- and second-place positions switched between the 2025 and 2026 tastings, showing that both performed well under separate evaluations.
Still, taste is only one part of a buying decision. Current prices, package sizes, local availability, and your preferred texture matter, too. If you like a crisp exterior and a soft center, either top contender is worth considering. If you prefer a softer fry, a lower score may not tell the whole story.
Related: Why Restaurant French Fries Taste So Much Better Than Homemade Ones
