The Chapel, San Francisco, CA

(Note: This review is WAYYY OVERDUE.) The Chapel in the Mission. Perhaps you've been here to see shows. But have you ever been here to taste the FRIES? Fellow fry companion and I went here to see Sparks, which, in and of itself, is awesome anyway. But while waiting, said fellow fry companion decided to get an order of fries, which to both of our surprises (or however you phrase that) were simply some of the most incredible french fries I have ever tasted in my life.

I swear to god that's Ron!

For 5 dollars you get an enormous heaping plate of fries tossed with garlic and parsley, enough to serve 5 people (no, we didn't finish them all. Although I wanted to put some in my pocket for later).

 

What fries look like in a dark club.

 

Hot and toasty, thinly cut, gently crisped on the outside, tender on the inside, these fries are my new favorite. They are extremely well seasoned and don't need a thing (although ketchup would have been nice to break it up a bit. After all, there were only 2 of us eating a gallon-plate of fries).

The Chapel needs to advertise their fries a bit more prominently. Because they've been hiding from me way too long.

+++

Fries
Price: $5.00
Portion Size: Enough to feed 5 adults, or 4 if you're really hungry. Would probably feed 1 cat, 1 dog, and a parrot, or 2 hungry children.

Texture: Slightly crispy on outside, hot and tender (!) on the inside. Perfect.

Greasiness Level: 3 out of 5 (standard grease level)
Seasoning: Excellent, with garlic and parsley
Fried In: Some sort of vegetable oil


Condiments: Didn't come with any, but I'm sure you could ask the busy bartender

Overall Quality of French Fries: 10 out of 10

Juhu Beach Club, Oakland, CA

I really enjoyed my first trip here. Maybe you recognize the chef from Top Chef. Who cares? The food's good!

My partner in crime and I got some Pavs (slider sandwiches), Chickpea Curry (not bad, but not earth shattering either), and Masala Fries with Tamarind Ketchup.

Oh, yeah, we also got Sev Puri, which came with apple relish and chutneys. We were firkin' hungry!

Anyway, the fries were served very hot, and were pretty darn tasty. Thinly sliced and nicely coated with flavor, I have to say that with all the spice (the things were damn spicy! but in a good way), they were sort of messing with my ability to rate them fairly since they're so different than the average fry. I have read a Yelp reviewer complain that these fries tasted very blah, so I guess I came on a VERY SPICY DAY.

I personally thought the fries were delicious, and the chili flavor left a lingering flavor in my mouth throughout the night (and unfortunately, the next morning as well). The Masala Ketchup was yummy as well, although I'm going to be honest here and say that the burning (again, in a good way!) sensation in my mouth made me care very little for the actual taste of the ketchup. I am going to give them a solid 6.5 since they are sort of incomparable to any other fry I've tasted before.

Note: This place is full of trickery! Just when you think you're eating on a paper plate! It's not. Just when you think you're drinking from a plastic cup! It's not.

+++

Fries
Price: $5.00
Portion Size: A big larger than a Medium
Texture: Crispy coating on outside, tender inside.

Greasiness Level: 3 out of 5 (standard grease level)
Seasoning: None
Fried In: Canola Oil


Condiments: salt, pepper, masala ketchup

Overall Quality of French Fries: 6.5 out of 10