A little reason to celebrate
National French Fry Day
Food ยท The second Friday in July
A day for French fries: strips of potato fried until golden outside and soft inside, and the many ways Americans like to eat them.
National French Fry Day falls on Friday, July 9, 2027. That is 255 days away.
A French fry starts as a plain potato, cut into strips and fried in hot oil until the outside turns crisp and golden while the inside stays soft. That contrast is most of the appeal. Salt does the rest.
Fries come in a surprising range of shapes. There are thin shoestrings, thick steak fries, crinkle cuts with their ridges, wedges with the skin left on, and curly fries that spiral off the plate. Each shape changes the ratio of crunch to fluffy middle, which is why people tend to have strong, specific loyalties.
In the United States they show up beside burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches, in diners and at ballparks, and in paper cones at fairs. Ketchup is the usual partner, though plenty of people prefer mustard, mayonnaise, malt vinegar, ranch or a shake of seasoning salt. Some go further and pile on cheese, chili or gravy until the fries become a meal of their own.
The day falls on the second Friday in July, and most people mark it the obvious way, with a basket of fries and an opinion about how they should be cut. Making them at home is simple enough: a starchy potato such as a russet, a soak in cold water to rinse off surface starch, and patience while they fry or bake.
The best fry on any plate is often the small, extra crispy one hiding at the bottom.
Ways to celebrate
- Try a fry shape you rarely order, like crinkle cut or wedges.
- Make oven fries at home with russet potatoes and a little oil.
- Set out several dips and compare them side by side.
- Share a basket of fries with a friend and debate the best cut.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, July 10 |
| 2027 | Friday, July 9 |
| 2028 | Friday, July 14 |
| 2029 | Friday, July 13 |
| 2030 | Friday, July 12 |
Also on July 9
- National Sugar Cookie Day
- Collector Car Appreciation Day
- National Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Omelet Day
- Fashion Day
Categories: Food days