In a city where excellent fries are yesterday’s news, Danny Meyer’s vaunted patty chain managed to make a splash when it swapped out its spuds after nine years. Long criticized by food cognoscenti for serving frozen, keeping frozen, crinkle-cut fries on otherwise fresh menu, the Shack has finally introduced hand-cut, skin-on, twice-fried Idaho russet skinnies. Available now at the UES location (followed by UWS and Grand Central by the end of the year), these beautifully golden beauties have silenced naysayers. Multiple locations (shakeshack.com). $2.70.—Stefanie Tuder
In August, Shake Shack rolled out hand-cut fries to much fanfare, but the crispy russets aren’t the only addictive potato wands we discovered this year. Whether you like them skinny or meaty, here are top-notch french fries you don’t want to miss. Start snacking!
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