Back in the day (pre-housewives), Bethenny began doing different “crawls”; pizza crawls, lobster roll crawls, mac and cheese crawls, etc. She is bringing it back, but this time with Bryn being the judge for this all-important category: FRENCH FRIES!!!
Today, Bethenny and Bryn rank the fries from 7 of their favorite spots in and around the Hamptons, rated by the amount of salt, crispness, and fry width (Bryn prefers a skinny fry!). Although there is no such thing as a bad fry, especially from these places, this is an entertaining pastime that Bethenny and Bryn love to do together! All fries are ranked out of 10, with 10 being the highest.
First up, we haveĀ Sunset Beach, whose fries come in at a 9.5! Sunset Beach is a hotel and restaurant nestled on the sands of Shelter Island on the eastern end of Long Island, New York, that has a lively French-bistro vibe offering a terrace with sunset views. Bryn says they “mastered the classic fry” with the precise amount of salt and the right crispy texture.
While perhaps a little less chic, a close second McDonald’s, the holy grail of french fry perfection, coming in at a 9! According to Bryn, they have the precise fry width and salt-to-potato ratio that makes the perfect fry.
Next up, we haveĀ Duryea’s in Montauk NY, whose fries come in at an 8.75. This casual seaside gem is known for its ocean breeze and excellent hospitality, and Bryn loves their fries. If you’re considering a visit, they pair perfectly with the 2lb grilled lobster because who doesn’t love lobsters and fries!
Lulu Kitchen and Bar comes in at an 8 with their hand-cut french fries. With a menu focused on local produce under the direction of a French-trained chef with several years of experience in Michelin-star rated restaurants, you’ll always have an exceptional meal.
Photo Credit: Executive Chef, Philippe Corbet
LT Burger’s fries came in at a 7.5. They were very tasty but could have been cooked a little less, according to this pint-sized fry connaisseur. While there is plenty for kids to feast on like grilled cheese and mini-burgers, we (adults) are super curious to try the “Dirty Chicken” sandwich – smoked gouda, slaw, frizzle onion, and bbq mayo – YUM.
Navy Beach is one of Montauk’s famous beachfront restaurants with casual coastal cuisine with an unforgettable sunset. Although they have delicious parm fries flavored with garlic and parsley, they are coming in at a 7, according to Bryn. She wishes they would have more of that “traditional golden color” you’d expect from a french fry. But with a menu full of flavorful twists on staple items, it’s still one of Bryn’s favorite places to eat.
Coming in at a 6 is Babettes, which focuses on clean food that is locally sourced to help support farmers. The menu is packed with plant-based options that are sure to please your tastebuds, as well as burgers, sandwiches, and wraps (for those who aren’t plant-based!) According to Bryn, they have your classic “diner fry”, which could be a little bit crispier but is still delicious.
When in the Hamptons, you can’t go wrong grabbing a bite from any of these establishments. What type of French fry is your favorite? What makes up that “perfect fry” for you?
Bethenny Frankel is a self-made businessperson, tv producer, multiple new york times bestselling author, and mother. Bethenny is the founder & CEO of skinnygirl, a lifestyle brand offering practical solutions to women.