This Michigan Spot Has the Best French Fries in the State
There’s something simply comforting about French fries. When they’re done right, they’re warm, slightly crunchy, salty and the perfect component to almost any meal. People are serious about their fries,…
(Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
There's something simply comforting about French fries. When they're done right, they're warm, slightly crunchy, salty and the perfect component to almost any meal.
People are serious about their fries, too. So much so that the crew at Eat This, Not That! has scoured America to find the best French fries in the country, and one Michigan spot is on the list.
As Eat This, Not That! describes, "Shoestring. Crinkle-cut. Curly. Waffle. No matter how you like your fries, there's no denying that fried potatoes are one of the most classic American side dishes out there. And while the fries from places like McDonald's and Shake Shack are great, sometimes you want a spud that's a little more off the beaten path. Don't worry: We have you covered." They don't give insight into how they determined the best French fries in every state, but I trust their methodology involved lots of tasting, which makes me very jealous.
So, which spot is No. 1 in Michigan? According to the study, Hopcat in East Lansing has the best fries in the entire state. "The Food Network put this place on the map for being in the top ten fries in America," the article states. "What makes these fries special? The original version is beer-battered and then fried and served with a special cracked black peppers seasoning. On the side, diners get a dish of warm cheese sauce. Amazingly good." Being a Michigan State University graduate, I agree that Hopcat has great food, so it's not a surprise to see they at No. 1 when it comes to their fries. The best spots in neighboring states include Service Bar in Columbus, Ohio; Edzo's Burger Shop in Evanston, Illinois; and Ziffles Rib Bar in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I had a boyfriend in Fort Wayne once and now regret not trying Ziffles. Find the full list here.
It's spring, and today it actually feels like it across much of Michigan. Of course, this is Michigan, which means at any given moment we could be graced with snow and ice, even mid-spring. But, right now, warm weather and ice cream are on the mind.
I simply love ice cream. It's probably my favorite food. The more chocolaty and decadent and cookie dough-laced, the better. Here in Michigan, we have an array of incredible ice cream shops, some that are open seasonally and others year-round. There's lots of ice cream to go around, whether you prefer soft-serve (not for me) or regular.
Pure Michigan has put together a list of the best ice cream shops in Michigan. If anybody knows their Mitten ice cream, it's Pure Michigan, since they handle all the touristy stuff around the state. Read on for the full list. I actually added my own picks to make this list 20, since some of the Pure Michigan picks have sadly closed. My main pick was the MSU Dairy Store on the campus of Michigan State University. If you're ever in East Lansing, it's really something you have to experience. They make all of their own ice cream, and since MSU is an agricultural college, you know it's some of the best-tasting stuff around. I also included Quality Dairy, which is known for its fantastic ice cream around mid-Michigan. If you have a favorite ice cream spot that was left out, reach out to me on social media and let me know.
20 Best Michigan Ice Cream Shops You Need to Visit
This list is via Pure Michigan, with five additional shops added item, including the MSU Dairy Store, from me.
