The winners of a survey to find the best French Fries restaurant in Sarasota and Manatee counties were featured in USA TODAY today, July 12, in time for National French Fry Day.
USA Today, a sister publication of the Herald Tribune, published an article online Tuesday (July 9) featuring “America’s Favorite French Fries.” The same article will appear today in USA Today’s weekend edition.
“In a poll on local websites, food writers across the USA Today Network asked readers to choose their local favorite fries,” the USA Today article reads. “The winners from each local site were announced on July 8, and we’ve compiled many of them here.”
Of the 20 restaurants selected from across the nation, only two are in Florida: a hot dog and burger spot in Fort Myers and a popular spot right here in Bradenton. Both restaurants are also featured in today’s article by the USA TODAY Network’s Florida Dining & Entertainment team, which profiles the best eateries for fries in the Sunshine State.
Which restaurant has good french fries?Favorites from around Florida
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USA Today:America’s Favorite French Fries
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Bradenton’s Central Cafe was featured in USA Today for its popular fries.
A charming restaurant on Manatee Avenue East, Central Cafe is located on the first floor of a beautiful brick building that was once a historic hotel near the popular Bradenton Riverwalk. I’m a big fan of the restaurant’s burgers, pizza, and tomato soup with blue cheese, but the must-try menu item at Central Cafe is the fries.
Thin, hand-cut fries are garnished with lumps of coarse salt and presented to guests as a mountain of decadent deliciousness. Lightly fried, just the right amount of salty, soft on the inside and served warm with just the right amount of crisp, each fries somehow more delicious and addictive than the last.
Central Cafe’s fries are delicious just as they are, but they are also great drizzled in the Heinz malt vinegar that the restaurant provides, or sometimes dipped in ketchup. Another great option is to dip your fries in the cafe’s amazing tomato soup – it’ll get a little messy, but it’s worth it!
If you go
Central Cafe is located at 906 Manatee Ave. E. in Bradenton. For more information, call 941-757-0050 or visit centralcafe941.com.
Wade Tatangelo is tickets editor for the Sarasota Herald Tribune and Florida regional food, beverage and entertainment editor for the USA Today Network. twitterFacebook and Instagram . Contact him by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com . Support local journalism by subscribing.
