Here's how America does fries

Click the text below to copy the story to clipboard

Virginia is for fry lovers, according to a new study.

The poll of 5,000 U.S. adults found the average person of the “Old Dominion” self-reported eating at least 21 pounds of spuds, closely followed by three other heavy-hitting states: Alabama, Georgia and Maryland — all with the average person eating about 20 pounds per year.

On average, a single American can eat at least 17 pounds of a small serving (69 grams) of fries per year. Expanded to the entire nation, that means America eats a minimum of 5,610,000,000 poundsof the stuff — as much as 155,833 school buses.

Ahead of National French Fry Day on July 11 and commissioned by McCain Foods (https://www.mccain.com) , the study conducted by Talker Research revealed variances for one of America’s favorite foods.

While all states can agree that the “best” fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside (72%), there are more debates about what type of fry and what seasonings and sauces are best.

Twenty-eight states agreed straight-and-seasoned fries were top-tier, most popular in North Dakota (55%), Mississippi (54%), Alabama (49%), Wyoming (49%), Louisiana (48%) and Utah (48%).

However, the rest of the nation had varied views on which fry is best.

Classic shoestring fries were most popular in Hawaii (45%), New Hampshire (45%), Michigan (44%), Maine (42%) and Texas (42%).

Curly fries reigned supreme in Alaska (46%), Kansas (46%), Connecticut (45%), and Oklahoma (45%).

Crinkle-cut fries earned top scores in states like Nebraska (51%), Kentucky (46%), and Pennsylvania (43%). Crinkle-cut was also the most popular style of fry in Illinois (41%).

And waffle fries only got love in one state: Colorado (44%).

And no matter what specific type they prefer, two coastal powerhouses were also most likely to experience happiness or joy while eating fries: California (59%) and New York (58%).

Some Americans even have “hometown heroes,” or classic fry dishes that hail from their own backyards. New Yorkers and New Jerseyans are proud to be the home of “disco fries,” while “boardwalk fries” are a Delaware staple.

Those in Illinois enjoy “horseshoe” or “ponyshoe sandwiches” and Californians proudly boast their namesake: the “California burrito.”

“Fries are universally loved, but there’s still plenty of debate when it comes to favorites,” said Tracy Hostetler, vice president of marketing North America potatoes at McCain Foods. “From crinkle-cut and curly, to waffle and seasoned fries, everyone has their go-to style. We believe enjoying a variety of fries allows everyone to find their favorite.”

Despite the friendly disputes on which fry is best, the study found a number of things Americans can agree on when it comes to the world of fries.

Nearly two in three (63%) agreed fries can be considered a main dish, not just a side. According to them, fries shine as mains in dishes like “loaded” fries (66%), chili fries (36%) and topped with various seasonings (36%).

Top seasonings ranged from the classic salt (77%) and garlic powder (31%) to the less orthodox — parmesan (22%), Old Bay (19%), paprika (10%) and cayenne (9%). Top dips were classics as well: ketchup (68%), ranch (33%) and cheese sauce (28%).

Over three-quarters (77%) also agreed they’d share their fries if they were eating with a group of people, being most likely to share with their partner (43%), kids (28%) and friends (21%).

However, 65% admit they’d stolen fries from someone else’s plate.

Eighty-one percent believe fries can even make meals more enjoyable with their family, and 83% said they’d even be willing to share their last fry with someone they love.

“Preferences aside, it’s clear that fries hold a special place in people’s hearts across the nation,” continued Tracy Hostetler. “They’re the ultimate shareable food — whether enjoying family-style or sneaking one off someone else’s plate, fries have a way of bringing family and friends together through that simple, joyful act of sharing.”

WE ASKED RESPONDENTS WHAT “FRY” DISH THEIR HOMETOWN IS KNOWN FOR. HERE’S WHAT SOME SHARED:

Boardwalk fries
California burrito
Carne asada fries
Catfish and fries
Chili cheese fries
Disco fries
Fish n chips
Garbage plate
Horseshoe/Ponyshoe sandwich
Poutine

Survey methodology

Talker Research surveyed 5,000 American adults, with 100 from each state; the survey was commissioned by McCain Foods and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 28 and June 5, 2025.

Copy, images + video are free to use

Please credit Talker Research &
the entity that commissioned the research

Click infographic to open

Republishing guidelines and AI policy

All Talker Research content is made freely available to journalists, editors, publishers and media groups with the goal of helping to drive engagement through interesting data-led text, infographics and videos. If you use our content in any capacity, do let us know via media@talkerresearch.com. We love to see how it’s used.

Guidelines:

You may republish our articles as-written, or use portions of the text, including whole paragraphs, specific sentences, or individual data points, or you may reference or re-write any of the above to fit your publication’s editorial style.

We ask only that you credit Talker Research, in addition to whatever entity may have underwritten the research (e.g. “…conducted by Talker Research on behalf of [ENTITY]” — or any similar version of the preceding example.)

Talker Research content is made available unrestricted with regard to being published on pages surrounded or interrupted by run-of-site or banner ads or video pre-roll ads (or similar).

Likewise, Talker Research content is made available unrestricted with regard to pixel trackers.

All Talker Research content is available for use in perpetuity on all platforms.

Read more about our republishing guidelines.

AI policy:

All of Talker’s stories are created by people, not AI. AI tools support background tasks such as analysis, or production efficiencies, but the core creative work, writing, editing, and shaping the narrative is done by a human.

Media contact

If you have questions about this survey story or would like the data set and visual assets sent to you, please submit the request form or email media@talkerresearch.com.