The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
These spuds are indulgent, loaded with flflavor
Deep- fried and sprinkled with salt, old- fashioned french fries already are an indulgent snack. But cover those fries with toppings like shrimp, steak or lemon pepper chicken, and you have the ultimate treat- yourself meal. There’s a growing list of metro area spots with over- thetop frites. Here are fifive places to get your loaded- fries fifix:
Man vs. Fries
This California- based delivery- only chain debuted in Atlanta late last year, bringing several over- the- top creations, including jumbo fry- stuffffffffffffed burritos and quesadillas.
Though not house- made, the curly or straight- cut frites are “not the run of the mill fries you often see,” founder William Bonhorst said. Skin- on and seasoned with a mix of onion, garlic and paprika, they serve as a base for the loaded asada fries, with the choice of grilled beef or chicken, and add- ons that include bacon and onion rings.
Most popular are the carne asada curly fries served Socalstyle: a pound of fries topped with Monterey jack cheese, steak, guacamole, sour cream,
secret sauce, grilled onions, grilled jalapenos, cilantro and a side of queso — with the option to add Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
1020 Spring St. NW, Atlanta. manvsfries. com/ popupshops
Poor Hendrix
Aaron and Jamie Russell’s East Lake eatery makes almost everything it serves in- house, but the restaurant’s small kitchen doesn’t lend itself well to fry- making, so the fries aren’t housemade. The magic comes from its mix of toppings: spicy sesame sauce, ground peanuts, scallion and furikake.
Poor Hendrix’s loaded fries have gone through several iterations, but the popular current version might be on the menu for the long haul.
2371 Hosea Williams Drive NE, Atlanta. 404549- 8756, poorhendrix. com
Puncho’s Late- Nite Fry Trap
Brandon “Puncho” Williams and Ebony Blanding, who work in the film industry, started this venture in 2019 after a lull in film work. They wanted something that would be “fun and genuinely Atlanta,” Williams said.
He started experimenting with loaded fries, topping hand- cut potatoes with shrimp and crab, and drizzled with Cajun aioli. Blanding came up with fries topped by Buffalo chicken, lemon pepper sprinkles and ranch, and the t wo realized they were on to something: Puncho’s was born.
Puncho’s, which also has wraps and salads on its menu, has plans to expand to a brick- andmortar store, but, for now, it can be found at pop- ups and events, as well as through what Blanding describes as a “speakeasy” setup. Customers who order online get an email with pickup time and location in the Pittsburgh neighborhood.
eatpunchos. com
Southern Drip Fries
Alex Johnson started offering loaded fries in August. His hand- cut fries come with a choice of sauces, or “drips,” most homemade, including spicy honey, jerk sauce and garlic Parmesan. Toppings include chicken, steak, crawfish, shrimp and crab. For vegans, there’s a plant- based plate of sweet potato fries topped with options like tofu, mushrooms, avocado, broccoli and fried green tomatoes.
Johnson is working on opening a brick- and- mortar location, but, in the meantime, his ordering process is fairly barebones: Visit Southern Drip Fries on Instagram to check out the menu, then text Johnson with your order and he’ll text you back with a pickup time and location on Old National Highway in Riverdale.
678- 954- 9437, instagram. com/ southerndripfriesatl
Tandoori Pizza & Wing Co.
When Archna Becker closed her Buckhead Indian restaurant Bhojanic and launched ghost kitchen Tandoori Pizza & Wing Co., she decided to offer a version of fries and poutine.
The base for her Punjabi poutine is potato wedges dredged in chickpea batter and fried and seasoned with spices and garlic. There are three versions: chicken tikka masala, vegan chana masala and saag paneer.
739 Lambert Drive NE, Atlanta. 404- 841- 8472, bhojanic. com/ tandooripizza- and- wings