They\u2019re hot to tot. <\/p>\n
When one pictures the best fast food fries in the US, they might imagine McDonald\u2019s or another multinational burger chain. <\/p>\n
However, the nation\u2019s tastiest potato sticks are allegedly served at \u2014 wait for it \u2014 homegrown California Tex-Mex chain Del Taco, at least according to USA Today\u2019s 10Best Reader\u2019s Choice Awards<\/a> for 2026.<\/p>\n They were reportedly crowned by site editors and a \u201cpanel of French fry fanatics,\u201d before the publication\u2019s readers voted on their favorites.<\/p>\n A carton of Del Taco\u2019s fries, which come plain or topped with chili, queso, or carne asada. Del Taco<\/p>\n After all, who better to decide than Americans, who devour \u201cnearly 30 pounds of french fries a year,\u201d according to Nat Geo.<\/p>\n Indeed, while known for its affordable and fast Mexican items such as burritos, Del Taco\u2019s classic, crinkle-cut fries are the real standout, according to customers.<\/p>\n The squiggly snack \u2014 which are available plain or slathered with cheese and chili, carnitas, or carne asada \u2014 are prized for their ability to retain their saltiness and crispiness unlike many of their soggy counterparts, the Tasting Table reported.<\/a><\/p>\n Plus, Del Taco\u2019s not stingy with the serving size of this accordion-shaped appetizer. \u201cOne thing I love about Del Taco is they don\u2019t skimp on the fries, even for a small,\u201d exclaimed one devotee on Facebook.<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia’s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Spicy Jack Chicken Quesadilla meal with the chain\u2019s signature crinkle-cut fries. Del Taco<\/p>\n Inside a Del Taco restaurant, which was voted the best fast food spot in the country, according to USA Today 10Best\u2019s\u00a0annual Readers\u2019 Choice Awards. <\/p>\n Google Maps<\/p>\n In fact, this burrito merchant beat out big-name spud merchants McDonald\u2019s (4th) and Five Guy\u2019s peanut oil-baptized offerings (6th). <\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Golden State\u2019s marquee burger purveyor, In-N-Out, placed 10th when it came to dunking potato wisps in the deep-frier. <\/p>\n Del Taco wasn\u2019t a one-hit wonder, either. <\/p>\n They were also named the US\u2019 Best Fast Food Chain by USA Today Readers, eclipsing country\u2019s Tex-Mex titan Taco Bell, which placed sixth. <\/p>\n Many online fans called the California chain light years better than the latter, whose re has been understandably tarnished by its association with the diarrhea-inducing Cyclospora outbreak.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cOnce I tried Del Taco, I\u2019ve never gone back to Taco Bell once,\u201d raved one fan on Reddit.<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, one nostalgic Golden State emigre fawned, \u201cDel Taco is amazing and one of the few things I miss since I left California.\u201d<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t
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