If you’ve ever looked at a fast food menu and thought the prices were steep, you’re not alone. It can be frustrating when all you want is a quick bite, and fries seem to cost nearly half your hourly wage. Fortunately, prices vary among fast-food chains, and one is bound to offer cheaper fries than others. Tasting Table compared french fry prices at 10 popular fast-food restaurants nationwide and found Arby’s to have the cheapest fries.

The restaurants compared were McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Chick-Fil-A, Popeye’s, Arby’s, Dairy Queen, Steak & Shake, KFC, and Hardee’s. They checked each chain’s large fry size since you might as well get the most for your money if you’re just there for fries. All prices were based on locations near Cincinnati. The cheapest large fry was Arby’s curly fries, priced at $2.99. These fries are not only affordable but also ranked third in taste by Tasting Table among 25 fast-food fries. They’re crispy, well-seasoned, and delicious with Arby’s sauce. At $3 for 170 grams, they’re a great deal.

How do other fries compare to Arby’s?

While Arby’s fries are the cheapest, a few others are close. Chick-Fil-A’s large waffle fries cost $3.15, and Wendy’s large fries come in at $3.59. Wendy’s was also ranked highly for value meals in a summer 2024 Tasting Table review, making it a good choice for budget-minded diners.

In contrast, some chains are pricier. Popeye’s offers the most expensive fries at $6.79 for a large. These come in a box instead of a sleeve, potentially indicating a larger portion, but customers on Reddit have complained about smaller boxes being used. KFC’s large fries are also expensive at $5.39. Customers have voiced dissatisfaction with these fries replacing the chain’s potato wedges, further questioning their value. The wedges briefly returned but only in one state. Wherever you get your fries, ensure you maximize value with menu hacks.