6 spots to celebrate National French Fry Day at the Jersey Shore

Gabriela L. Laracca, Asbury Park Press
Updated ·4 min read

French fries come in many forms: classic fast food shoe string, waffle, curly, and non-purists might even consider a tater tot among the list.

You can even get some good disco fries at nearly every diner throughout the state but in honor of National Fry Day this Thursday, we're going to talk about some crazier takes on these taters.

Think of poutines loaded with smoked meat, something called Rally Fries, fries topped with egg, pork roll and more.

Check out these Jersey Shore restaurants we mustered (mustard?) up to help you celebrate at the Jersey Shore:

B2 Bistro + Bar, Red Bank

Rally fries from B2 Bistro + Bar in Red Bank, topped with house-made hot sauce, ranch, herbs and cheese sauce.
Rally fries from B2 Bistro + Bar in Red Bank, topped with house-made hot sauce, ranch, herbs and cheese sauce.

This classy but casual bistro serves an array of craveables like cured wings (with sweet chili lime sauce, cilantro and sea salt), but you have to try the Rally Fries.

These house-cut fries are topped with house-made hot sauce, ranch, cheese sauce and herbs.

Some loaded fries are piled high with heavy toppings, but these are the perfect light bite, with an added kick to keep you revved up for summer.

All handheld sandwiches served on the lunch menu, like the award-winning Dry Aged Burger (topped with house made pickles, fries and choice of cheese on a soft bun), come with house cut fries on the side.

Go: 141 Shrewsbury Ave., Red Bank; 732-268-8555, b2bistro.com/red-bank.

Berg's Smoked Meat & Poutine, Belmar

An assortment of loaded fries and poutines from Berg's Smoked Meat and Poutine in Belmar.
An assortment of loaded fries and poutines from Berg's Smoked Meat and Poutine in Belmar.

Berg's has become a Jersey Shore staple known for some mean versions of Canada's favorite dish: poutine, as well as Montreal-style pastrami, other smoked meats and sides like latkes.

Try the classic poutine (with gravy and cheese curds), but if you're feeling adventurous, get the Jersey poutine (topped with all the same good stuff, plus pork roll and a sunny side up egg). They also serve a Smoked Meat variety, again topped with the classic toppings, plus Montreal-style pastrami.

And while these are not fries, they are fried and delicious, so try the fried cheese curds appetizer, too (beer battered and served with smoked onion aioli or chili pepper aioli).

Go: 1405 Main St., Belmar; 732-749-3266, bergssmokedmeat.com.

Burger 25, Toms River and Ship Bottom

Buffalo fries, "The Smack" burger and onion rings at Burger 25 in Toms River.
Buffalo fries, "The Smack" burger and onion rings at Burger 25 in Toms River.

With an incredibly busy new location in Ship Bottom, and the beloved original still in Toms River, Burger 25 now dominates the Southern Ocean County burger and fry scene.

While burgers are in the name, there are loads of fries, including the loaded Monster fries (a double order of fries topped with cheese, bacon and sour cream).

In honor of our many boardwalks, try the Boardwalk fries (seasoned and served with garlic ranch), or the remixed Disco Boardwalk fries marrying some of Jerseyans' favorite foods (with cheese, gravy, and house-made shredded pot roast).

If you're really feeling a yearning for home, try the Jersey fries (boardwalk fries topped with cheese, diced pork roll and ketchup). For Pennsylvanian visitors, the Philly fries (boardwalk fries with sauteed onions, cheese steak and cheese).

Go: For Toms River: 199 Route 37 East, 732-270-0025; For Ship Bottom: 1915 Long Beach Blvd., 609-879-2525; burger25.com.

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Elli's Backyard, Red Bank and Breakwater Beach Pavilion, Keansburg

Breakfast fries topped with bacon, scrambled eggs, cheese and chives from Elli's Backyard in Red Bank.
Breakfast fries topped with bacon, scrambled eggs, cheese and chives from Elli's Backyard in Red Bank.

Who says you can't have fries for breakfast? Not Elli's Backyard owner Patrick Jeffrey.

Jeffrey created the whole restaurant with his daughter Elli in mind back in 2021, with tabletop s'mores, cheesy pasta dishes, and pick-your-own herbs sprouting from the walls.

And what's more kid-friendly than breakfast for dinner ... or maybe dinner for breakfast?

The Breakfast fries are topped with scrambled egg, cheese sauce, chives and your choice of breakfast meat (bacon, sausage, or pork roll).

If you're looking for a more classic loaded fry, pop over to his new spot — Breakwater Beach Pavilion — which serves them with cheese and bacon, beachside (and playground-side, for the kiddos).

Go: For Elli's: 45 Broad St., Red Bank; 732-268-8902, ellisbackyard.com. For Breakwater Beach Pavilion: 1 Beachway Ave, Keansburg (across from Half Moon, if the GPS takes you to the wrong location), 732-284-7347.

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Harry's Smokin' BBQ, Toms River

Pulled pork-topped fries at Harry's Smokin' BBQ in South Toms River.
Pulled pork-topped fries at Harry's Smokin' BBQ in South Toms River.

While traveling down the Parkway to the Seasides or Island Heights, make a quick detour for this bright orange, roadside food trailer.

Inside, Harry Clayton is cooking brisket cheesesteaks, pulled pork melts, and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches. But he also makes some delicious loaded fries.

Try the Jersey Shore fries (with cheese sauce and diced pork roll), pulled pork cheese fries, bacon cheese fries, and more.

Go: 240 Dover Road, Toms River; 848-223-9955, harryssmokinbarbecue.com.

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore: French fries to try in Monmouth, Ocean counties