Breakfast potatoes are a diner staple, a simple and affordable dish that’s surprisingly easy to get wrong. Whether you prefer a specific cut, potato variety, level of crispiness, or added peppers and onions, some universal truths define a well-executed potato side. Ideally, they should be crispy, adequately salted, and sufficiently greasy to enhance flavor and texture without being overly oily. So, which fast-food chains offer the best breakfast potato experience? Let’s find out which one serves up delicious potato wedges!
Previously, I tested several fast-food breakfast sandwiches and, concurrently, sampled their hash brown offerings. While the sandwiches presented a diverse range, the side of spuds was less varied, with only one hash brown option available at each establishment.
Despite the limited selection, the hash browns displayed a surprising variety of styles. To ensure fairness, I tasted them without ketchup or added salt. The top-ranked sandwich didn’t necessarily coincide with the top-ranked hash brown, so prepare to make multiple drive-thru stops if you want the best of both worlds! Here’s my ranking of six fast-food hash browns:
6. Dunkin’ Hash Browns
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Dunkin’ aimed high with their hash browns, incorporating seasonings like garlic powder, spices, dehydrated parsley, and onion powder. While the ingredient list was promising, the overall taste resembled onion breath. The texture was slightly mushy, possibly due to an older batch. I’d recommend skipping these and opting for a donut instead.
5. Burger King Hash Browns
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Burger King’s hash browns were the most unremarkable, a truly middle-of-the-road offering reminiscent of school cafeteria fare. The texture was barely crispy, and the flavor was simply potato. They might be palatable with extra salt and ketchup, but on their own, they lacked any redeeming qualities.
4. Chick-fil-A Hash Browns
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These Chick-fil-A potatoes were like the more mature version of Burger King’s hash browns – no seasoning, no special techniques in frying or shaping, just a regular, tasty hash brown. They were crispier on the outside and fluffier on the inside compared to the previous entries, with a pleasant saltiness. They were enjoyable on their own, but given Chick-fil-A’s impressive sauce selection, I’d happily order them with a variety of dipping options.
3. White Castle Hash Brown Nibblers
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White Castle’s Hash Brown Nibblers narrowly edged out Chick-fil-A. They shared the same merits – good texture, good taste, and no unnecessary frills – but felt a little lighter. Not healthier, but less dense. This made them feel easier to eat without feeling bloated in the morning.
2. Wendy’s Seasoned Potatoes
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Wendy’s Seasoned Potatoes are fantastic. They are, admittedly, not your average hash brown. Wendy’s doesn’t offer a traditional hash brown, so these are your only breakfast potato option—and I highly recommend them.
Seasoned well and evenly, crispy on the outside, and creamy on the inside, these potato wedges are a treat. They’re delicious even without ketchup, standing on their own as a hearty side. They’re so good, you might not even realize they’re from a fast-food chain.
1. McDonald’s Hash Brown Patty
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The one and only. The iconic. The salty and shapely McDonald’s hash brown patty. It’s hard to argue with this classic. Its unique shape and portability set it apart, while its overall taste remains timeless. With a perfect exterior texture, a hint of chewiness, excellent salt levels, and a subtle touch of something special (black pepper extract? Natural beef flavor?), it’s the quintessential fast-food breakfast hash brown.
The McDonald’s hash brown patty begs to be added to your breakfast sandwich. Its perfect size and shape ensure it won’t be messy or slip around. You can easily break it down to share or stack it. It’s popular for a reason, and the McDonald’s hash brown has remained largely unchanged since 1977 because McDonald’s knows a good thing when they have it.
The Verdict on Fast Food Potato Wedges
While many fast-food chains offer hash browns in various forms, Wendy’s stands out by offering seasoned potato wedges as their primary breakfast potato option. If you’re specifically looking for potato wedges at a fast-food restaurant, Wendy’s is your best bet. Their seasoned potatoes are a delicious and satisfying alternative to traditional hash browns, making them a worthwhile choice for breakfast or a side dish.
