Taste

Try scaling these three Las Vegas french fry mountains

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Frites will fill you up.
Photo: Wade Vandervort
Greg Thilmont

Interstate 15 must be bumper-to-bumper with potato trucks headed south from Idaho these days, with prodigious french fry specialties popping up all over the Valley. Good thing it’s the perfect time for tasty carbo loads, with pool season over and the lovely October weather ideal for scarfing down crispy Burbank russets smothered in savory toppings. Just be sure to bring along a snack buddy, as these three spuddy spectacles—all available at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue—are truly filling.

Double Down at Shake Shack

In over-the-top Sin City style, this extravaganza arrives as a pile of nice-looking crinkle fries liberally doused in oozy cheese sauce and abundantly covered in hunks of Niman Ranch bacon. A sprinkling of chopped cherry peppers brings the heat, and the wooden spears that adorn the exuberant dish make for fun fry hunting. Pair with a creamy pumpkin-vanilla milkshake for a fall treat. Multiple locations including New York- New York, shakeshack.com.

Mexican poutine at Crack Shack

The fries here are medium-skinny in the classic All-American drive-in style. For a multicultural spin, the sizzled tuber slivers in the eye-popping Mexican poutine are tossed in a smidgen of chicken schmaltz for a delectable hint of Jewish culinary know-how. Then they’re layered with tender, smoky shreds of pollo asado, zippy Jalapeño Cheez Whiz, fresh pico de gallo and aromatic cilantro. A slushy frozé makes for a chill accompaniment. Park MGM, 702-820-5991.

Custom Truffle Fries at Frites

This retro indoor tater shack rocks the comfort-food block with its substantial potato sticks. They’re cooked to perfection in beef tallow, which gives them an excellent crispy texture with plenty of Maillard reaction browning. (There’s a peanut oil option for vegetarians, too.) Go for a custom job of truffle fries slathered with house-made nacho cheese sauce and sprinkled with fresh chives. Feeling totally gonzo? Add a fried egg on top and wash it all down with a sweet root beer float. Excalibur, 702-840-3440.

Tags: Dining, Food
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