Best restaurant for French fries in the Daytona area? Vote now for your favorite

Whether you prefer them standard, curly or waffle-cut, loaded with toppings or simply salted, there’s no question that a crispy, hand-cut French fry is one deep-fried side dish we all crave from time to time.

After recently celebrating National Hamburger Day May 28 with a roundup of my favorite layered burgers in the area, it seems only natural to give the handheld’s delicious companion the recognition it deserves. With National French Fry Day coming up on July 12, as well as the 2024 Summer Olympics which take place in Paris from July 26 to Aug. 11 (although it's heavily debated whether fries actually originated in Belgium), it seems only fitting to shout out our favorite French fry restaurants in the Daytona, Flagler area.

Without further ado, here are two of my local French fry go-tos, but please continue reading to submit your pick for the best French fry spots in Volusia-Flagler. The winner will be featured in a national results story by our sister publication, USA TODAY.

Paco Submarine

515 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach; 386-402-7281, pacosubmarine.com

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

It’s no secret that Paco Submarine made waves in the sandwich community following the shop’s opening last year, but if you haven’t given its fries a try, you don’t know what you’re missing. The quirky roadside joint offers hand-cut fries, available standard — sprinkled in sea salt; or Ocean City, Maryland, style — generously coated with Old Bay seasoning and served with a side of creamy malt sauce for dipping.

They’re warm, crisp and on the thicker — but not too potato-y — side, making for the perfect addition to any of the eatery’s scratch-made handhelds that owner and chef Brian Cieslak, former competitor of Food Network’s Chopped, has down to science, like The Belafonte — a personal favorite that stacks house-smoked bacon with fresh tomatoes, shredded lettuce, avocado and an addicting herbed mayo.

Riverside Johnny’s

115 Main St., Daytona Beach; 386-238-9349, riversidejohnnys.com

While Riverside Johnny’s is an undeniable local favorite for its double beef smash patties, its fries never seem to fail me, either. The casual, waterfront spot sits right along the Halifax and offers a heaping helping of thin, crispy, hand-cut fries with every handheld order.

The lightly-salted, golden-brown side is always cleared by the end of the meal — most often the Johnny's Bleu Burger or Daytona Double Double, layered with American cheese, grilled onions, pickles and secret sauce on a soft brioche bun — and is just as delicious on its own as it is dipped in its accompanying ketchup side.

Vote now for the best French fries in Volusia and Flagler counties

Polling has ended for the best French fry restaurants in Volusia-Flagler. A story announcing the winner will be published July 8.