2026 Toronto's Best: Fries

Who says chicken restaurants only know how to fry chicken? In the 2026 CHOPSBOOK Golden Chopsticks Awards "Fries" edition (Toronto), netizens proved that even a restaurant renowned for its fried chicken can have fries that stand out as a true champion! After fierce competition, Popeyes Louisana Kitchen emerged as the "People's Choice Strongest" winner, proving that their Cajun-spiced fries are anything but ordinary.

Wondering where to find the best fries in Toronto? Here is the complete list of nominees for this year's CHOPSBOOK Golden Chopsticks Awards "Fries" edition:

• Popeyes Louisana Kitchen (Winner)
• Aloette Restaurant
• Aloette Bay
• NomNomNom Poutine
• Fishman Lobster Clubhouse Restaurant
• WVRST
• Sea Witch Fish and Chips
• Burger Drops
• J's Steak Frites
• East Side Mario's
• Smoke's Poutinerie Vaughan

As Canada's restaurant review and dining guide platform, CHOPSBOOK (www.chopsbook.com) is dedicated to providing diners with the most authentic and local restaurant reviews. The "CHOPSBOOK Golden Chopsticks Awards" is our series of public-voted restaurant awards hosted on Threads. Each "edition" focuses on a unique culinary theme and city, such as this "Fries" edition in Toronto.

A distinctive feature of this award series is that the results are entirely determined by public nominations and votes. Starting from the initial nomination phase, enthusiastic diners recommend their favourite fries spots. After daily elimination rounds through voting, a complete list of nominees is finalized for the ultimate vote, selecting the "People's Choice Strongest" winner. This open and transparent voting process ensures that the results truly reflect the tastes and preferences of Toronto residents.

Popeyes Louisana Kitchen

Address: 237 Sheppard Ave E

When it comes to Popeyes, many immediately think of their spicy fried chicken. But surprisingly, their fries managed to stand out among numerous Toronto fries establishments, becoming the "People's Choice Strongest" winner of this year's Golden Chopsticks Awards "Fries" edition! How did this "fries shop overshadowed by fried chicken" win over the public?

Brand Trivia

The Popeyes story began in 1972, founded by Al Copeland in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The brand name actually doesn't come from the cartoon character "Popeye the Sailor"; instead, Copeland named it after Detective Popeye Doyle, the protagonist in the classic 1971 film The French Connection, finding his name to be sufficiently impactful! Isn't that a fun fact?

Signature Dish: Cajun Fries

The reason Popeyes' fries are so crispy and unique is because they are coated in a special Cajun spice batter before frying. This distinctive preparation gives each fry a flavour unique to Louisiana, savoury with a hint of spice, and a crispy exterior that still yields to a soft potato interior. Their Cajun fries, whether eaten alone or paired with fried chicken, are unforgettable. Next time you visit Popeyes, besides the fried chicken, make sure to try their award-winning fries!

Aloette Restaurant & Aloette Bay

Address: 163 Spadina Ave. 1st Floor / 81 Bay St. 4th Floor

Aloette is a sophisticated French-inspired bistro known for its modern take on classic dishes. Their fries often serve as the perfect accompaniment to their signature Aloette Burger or Steak Frites, offering a crispy texture and balanced seasoning. They are an excellent choice for those seeking refined dining alongside comforting fare.

NomNomNom Poutine

Address: 707 Dundas St W

Specializing in poutine, NomNomNom Poutine offers a wide array of creative poutine options. Their fries form the foundation of all their poutines, typically fresh-cut and fried to a perfect crisp-yet-soft texture, ideal for soaking up rich gravy and cheese curds. They provide a delightful culinary experience for fries and poutine lovers in Toronto.

Fishman Lobster Clubhouse Restaurant

Address: 4020 Finch Ave E

Fishman Lobster Clubhouse Restaurant is celebrated for its spectacular Cantonese-style seafood, particularly its giant lobsters and king crabs, making it a culinary landmark in Toronto's Chinese community. While not primarily known for fries, the fries offered here typically provide a simple, classic accompaniment to their lavish seafood feasts, offering a balanced textural contrast to the rich main dishes.

WVRST

Address: 609 King St W

WVRST is a restaurant specializing in gourmet sausages (wursts) and craft beer. They offer various fry options, often served with unique dipping sauces. Their Duck Fat Fries are particularly popular, known for their exceptional crispiness and rich flavour, making them an excellent pairing with their artisanal sausages.

Sea Witch Fish and Chips

Address: 636 St Clair Ave W

Sea Witch Fish and Chips specializes in traditional fish and chips. Their fries (chips) are hand-cut from fresh potatoes and fried to a golden crisp, served as the classic complement to their tender battered fish. The focus here is on fresh ingredients and time-honored preparation methods, delivering an authentic British fish and chips experience.

Burger Drops

Address: 116 Atlantic Ave

Burger Drops is renowned for its delicious smash burgers. Their fries are typically classic crinkle-cut or shoestring style, seasoned just right, and serve as the perfect sidekick to their juicy burgers. Simple yet flavourful, they perfectly complement the rich taste of the burgers.

J's Steak Frites

Address: 577 College St

J's Steak Frites' signature dish is the classic French Steak Frites. For them, fries are not just a side but a crucial part of the dish's soul. They offer thin, crispy French fries, often served unlimited, ensuring every diner can fully enjoy the deliciousness of this timeless combination.

East Side Mario's

Address: 2171 Steeles Ave W

East Side Mario's is a popular Italian-American casual dining chain, known for its family-style Italian dishes. While pasta and pizza are their mainstays, they also offer a variety of appetizers and sides, including fries. Their fries are typically served as an accompaniment to main courses or sandwiches, offering a crispy texture that complements a relaxed dining experience.

Smoke's Poutinerie Vaughan

Address: 3604 Major Mackenzie Dr W Unit 9

Smoke's Poutinerie is a well-known Canadian poutine chain, famous for its diverse and generously portioned poutines. Their thick-cut fries are the core of their poutine creations, designed to absorb various rich gravies and cheeses, providing ultimate satisfaction for poutine enthusiasts.

Which restaurant has the best fries in Toronto?
According to the public vote of the CHOPSBOOK Golden Chopsticks Awards 2026 "Fries" edition, the winner for the best fries in Toronto is Popeyes Louisana Kitchen. Their Cajun-spiced fries are loved by the public for their unique flavour and crispy texture.

What are the CHOPSBOOK Golden Chopsticks Awards?
The CHOPSBOOK Golden Chopsticks Awards are a series of public-voted restaurant awards organized by CHOPSBOOK, a Canadian restaurant review platform, on Threads. Each "edition" focuses on a specific culinary theme and city, with netizens nominating and voting to select the "People's Choice Strongest" restaurant.

How can I participate in the CHOPSBOOK Golden Chopsticks Awards voting?
The CHOPSBOOK Golden Chopsticks Awards voting activities are conducted on our Threads social media platform. Follow our Threads (@chopsbook) for updates to participate in future nomination and daily voting rounds.

Besides Popeyes, what other fries are worth trying in Toronto?
Apart from the winner, Popeyes, this year's Golden Chopsticks Awards also featured other excellent nominated restaurants. These include poutine specialists like NomNomNom Poutine, WVRST known for its duck fat fries, or Sea Witch Fish and Chips offering classic fish and chips – all great options for fries in Toronto.

Once again, congratulations to Popeyes Louisana Kitchen for winning the "People's Choice Strongest" award in the CHOPSBOOK Golden Chopsticks Awards 2026 "Fries" edition (Toronto)! We also extend our gratitude to all netizens who participated in the voting and nominations; your support is our greatest motivation to discover more of Toronto's culinary gems.

Did your favourite fries make it onto the list? Whether it's the winner or other nominated restaurants, we encourage you to register as a CHOPSBOOK member and leave your most authentic reviews on each restaurant's page. Share your dining experiences to help more foodies find truly delicious fries and other great restaurants in Toronto!

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