Starch Madness: Cast your vote for 16 restaurants vying for best French fries in Louisville

Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal
Updated ·8 min read
The Courier Journal's Starch Madness bracket — Round 1
The Courier Journal's Starch Madness bracket — Round 1

Calling all fry lovers! Introducing The Courier Journal's Starch Madness, where 16 competitors vying for the title of Louisville's favorite French fries will go head-to-head in a bracket-style challenge.

The online bracket-style competition, which was compiled using a random match-up generator, will run from Monday, March 11 to Friday, April 5, and the champion restaurant will be announced on Monday, April 8.

The competition will include four rounds, with rounds lasting five days. Round one, involving eight matchups, will start at 5 a.m. on Monday, March 11, and end at noon on Friday, March 15. The next round will begin at 5 a.m. on Monday, March 18, and so on from there.

In each round, you will select a restaurant from each pairing. The winners advance to the next round until only one bar remains. You can vote up to eight times per day at courierjournal.com.

You may like: 16 restaurants, 1 winner: How to vote for the best French fries in Louisville

Here are the 16 restaurants selected to compete for the title of favorite French fries in Louisville and more details on how to vote:

Hot and Crispy Region

Matchup 1: The Grales vs. Hammerheads

The Grales

Holy Grale is located at 1034 Bardstown Rd. in Louisville, Kentucky.
Holy Grale is located at 1034 Bardstown Rd. in Louisville, Kentucky.

1034 Baxter Ave., thegrales.com, Hours: Monday-Wednesday 5-10 p.m., 5-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2-11 p.m. Saturday and 2-10 p.m. Sunday

This beer-focused restaurant in a former church offers lots of unique brews and fare to pair with what's on tap. The Holy Grale Frietjes have carved out a space as one of the most popular appetizers on the menu. The plate of hand-cut, twice-fried Kennebec potatoes comes with your choice of sauce, including warrior sauce (spicy mayo), frietjes sauce, green chili sauce, curry ketchup, or malt vinegar mayo. A small portion costs $5 and a larger size costs $8, according to an online menu.

Hammerheads

921 Swan St., louisvillehammerheads.com, Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.

This cozy Germantown spot has six fry varieties of which to take a bite. Pick your fry flavor, from a simple basket to Grippo fries with sweet and spicy barbecue seasoning. The menu also features fries tossed with truffle oil, garlic herb fries, sweet potato fries, and the option to "have 'em in duck fat," according to its menu. Enjoy as a standalone snack or a side item to accompany a crispy catfish sandwich, elk burger or pulled pork sandwich.

Matchup 2: Granville Pub vs. Grind Burger Kitchen

Granville Pub

The Granville Pub is located at 1601 S. 3rd St. in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Granville Pub is located at 1601 S. 3rd St. in Louisville, Kentucky.

1601 S. 3rd St., thegranvillepub.com, Hours: Sunday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. to midnight, Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

If time in business is at the top of your list, you can't go wrong with this bar and burger joint that's been around since 1939. Granville Pub must be doing something right with its French fries, including a starter size of cheesy fries topped with homemade queso and shredded cheese. You can also order loaded fries with homemade chili, queso, diced tomatoes and onions. A simpler side of fries is available to-go with Granville burgers and chicken tenders.

Grind Burger Kitchen

829 E. Market St., grindburgerkitchen.com, Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, 12-8 p.m., closed Monday

This burger joint is a Louisville favorite for its food truck-to-brick-and-mortar story. After launching in 2012 and moving into its eclectic NuLu location, Grind Burger Kitchen, as featured on "Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives," offers seasoned and thick, hand-cut fries as a side choice with burgers. On their own, a side of fries costs $4.50.

Matchup 3: Hauck's Corner vs. Toasty's Tavern

Hauck's Corner

After a year and a half of renovation work, the old Hauck's Handy Store has been transformed into Hauck's Corner, a new bar and restaurant in the Schnitzelburg neighborhood. June 16, 2022
After a year and a half of renovation work, the old Hauck's Handy Store has been transformed into Hauck's Corner, a new bar and restaurant in the Schnitzelburg neighborhood. June 16, 2022

1000 Goss Ave., hauckscorner.com, Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Hauck's has some history on its side. Since the former general store opened as a bar and restaurant in 2022, the hangout spot with notes of nostalgia has become a Shcnitzelburg hit. The hefty food and drink menu features appetizers such as a basket of crinkle fries ($6.95) with malt vinegar aioli and roasted garlic aioli.

Toasty's Tavern

Toasty's Tavern opened in Shelby Park on June 22.
Toasty's Tavern opened in Shelby Park on June 22.

1258 S. Shelby St., toastystavern.com, Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Monday

As the motto goes, classy is a state of mind at Toasty's. And fries are often the snack of choice at this Shelby Park diner-style bar and restaurant with a backyard-like patio. Specifically, the garbage-loaded fries are a go-to menu item. The spread, priced at $14, comes with queso, pickled jalapeno, taco spiced burger patty, sour cream, and a Frito crumble. This is influenced by an offering from the now-closed New Wave Burritos, which shared the same owners as Toasty's Tavern. A side of chili cheese fries is also on the menu.

Matchup 4: The Silly Axe Cafe vs. The Eagle

The Silly Axe Cafe

The Silly Axe Cafe is located inside the Logan Street Market at 1001 Logan St. in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Silly Axe Cafe is located inside the Logan Street Market at 1001 Logan St. in Louisville, Kentucky.

1001 Logan St., inside the Logan Street Market, thesillyaxecafe.com, Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday

Fear not, French fry fans who also want to find something gluten-free. This completely gluten-free cafe at Logan Street Market has some solid fries, which can be customized with toppings and seasonings. The cafe also offers potato wedges and sweet potato wedges to go with a hot brown, Italian sub or any of the Silly Axe's daily specials.

The Eagle

1314 Bardstown Road, eaglerestaurant.com, Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4-11 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

This Cincinnati-based food and beer concept has eight locations, two of which are in Louisville. Among many sides made to complement The Eagle's famed fried chicken, a favorite is a side of fries ($5) tossed in herbs with a side of aioli.

Savory and Salty Region

Matchup 5: Monnik Beer Co. vs. Taco Luchador

Monnik Beer Co.

The Donder fries at Monnik Beer Co.
The Donder fries at Monnik Beer Co.

1036 E. Burnett Ave., monnikbeer.com, Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight

Some breweries offer nibbles such as chips and pretzels. And some breweries offer plenty more. Monnik, for example, has its own "house-cute fries" section on the menu, with three takes: War fries, $11, are served with house mayonnaise, peanut satay and onion. Donder fries, $14, come with sour beef, raisin sauce, mayo, and onion. Chili cheese fries, $15, are mixed with gouda fondue, turkey chili, and pickled jalapenos. Want a side of fries with a burger, salad, flagship beer or cocktail? That'll be $6.50.

Taco Luchador

A variety of dishes, including sweet potato fries, at Taco Luchador.
A variety of dishes, including sweet potato fries, at Taco Luchador.

112 Meridian Ave., 10305 Taylorsville Road, el-taco-luchador.com, Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, 12-9:30 p.m., Sunday, 12-8 p.m.

If you've ever wondered about that trio of tacos being tastier with a side of fries, this is the place for you. Taco Luchador, a Louisville favorite for nearly a decade, has a side of fries for $4.99, served regular or with spices. Spend $2.50 more for queso style.

Matchup 6: Mussel & Burger Bar vs. Three Brothers Restaurant

Mussel & Burger Bar

113 S. 7th St., 9200 Taylorsville Road, mussel-burger-bar.com, Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A restaurant with burger in the name would be incomplete without a strong showing for fries. On the menu for Mussel & Burger Bar, which has two locations in Louisville, you'll find plenty of sightings of its house pomme Frites tossed in herbs. The fries tossed in truffle salt and oil are served with sandwiches and burgers or as a side item.

Three Brothers Restaurant

Three Brothers Restaurant is located at 2001 7th Street Rd. in Louisville, Kentucky.
Three Brothers Restaurant is located at 2001 7th Street Rd. in Louisville, Kentucky.

2001 7th Street Road, threebrothersrestaurant.business.site/, Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Sunday

"This place has been passed down from uncles to sons to sons-in-laws," reads the Facebook description of this beloved seafood joint. "And each one has a unique story." They've also passed down flavorful recipes, including chicken wings and sandwiches, plus a basket of fries to go with whatever is ordered.

Matchup 7: Ollie's Trolley vs. Le Moo

Ollie's Trolley

Ollie's Trolley is located at 978 S 3rd St. in Louisville, Kentucky.
Ollie's Trolley is located at 978 S 3rd St. in Louisville, Kentucky.

978 S. 3rd St., facebook.com/OlliesTrolley/, Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday

This burger joint with ties to KFC once had nearly 100 locations. Now the Louisville spot is one of the last remaining places to find the faux red street car serving Olliefries, which are seasoned with a signature spice also on the Ollieburgers. This is the place to grab a slice of Louisville history while you grab a bag of fries.

Le Moo

Blackhawk Farms Le Moo burger with Drunk-cut fries or truffle chips at Le Moo
Blackhawk Farms Le Moo burger with Drunk-cut fries or truffle chips at Le Moo

2300 Lexington Road, lemoorestaurant.com, Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5-10 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5-9 p.m.

Sure, this is the place for a fancy cut of steak and your choice of wine or bourbon. But it's also the place for "Kevin's Drunk-Cut Fries," the $9 serving of random cut, double-fried fries that comes with house-made ketchup and a splash of sriracha and house-made ranch dressing.

Matchup 8: Burger Boy vs. Four Pegs

Burger Boy

1450 S. Brooks St., burgerboydiner.com, Hours: Open 24 hours daily

If you're up for fries at any hour of the day, Burger Boy is up for the challenge with its classic burgers and fries. You can order fries covered in chili cheese or served "killer loaded." Either way, you'll be participating in a Louisville tradition.

Four Pegs

The veggie burger with fries at Four Pegs on Goss Avenue. June 10, 2019
The veggie burger with fries at Four Pegs on Goss Avenue. June 10, 2019

1053 Goss Ave., fourpegs.net, Hours: Sunday-Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight

A sense of place at Four Pegs has been established since Chris Williams bought the property in 2018. There's also a sense that patrons love items including the bacon chili cheese fries, made with the restaurant's dipper fries and beer cheese, chili, bacon, and shredded cheddar-jack cheese. A side of dipper fries costs $4.

How can I vote in Starch Madness?

The competition will include four rounds, with each round lasting five days. Round one, involving eight matchups, will start at 5 a.m. on Monday, March 11, and end at noon on Friday, March 15. The second round will begin at 5 a.m. on March 18 and so on from there. The full schedule is below.

Pick a restaurant from each pairing. You can vote up to eight times per day.

What is the Starch Madness voting schedule?

Each round of voting runs from 5 a.m. Monday to noon Friday. Round results will be announced on Mondays. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 8.

  • Round 1: 16 restaurants; Voting Monday, March 11-Friday, March 15 at noon. Results announced on Monday, March 18

  • Round 2: Eight restaurants; Voting Monday, March 18-Friday, March 22 at noon. Results announced on Monday, March 25

  • Round 3: Four restaurants; Voting Monday, March 25-Friday, March 29. Results announced on Monday, April 1

  • Round 4: Two restaurants; Voting Monday, April 1- Friday, April 5 at noon. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 8

How were the 16 restaurants selected?

The restaurants were selected by members of the Courier Journal newsroom and by readers of a Courier Journal post on social media based on various criteria, including taste, crunch, flavorings and more.

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Vote: Which of these 16 spots has the best French fries in Louisville?