The winner of our survey to find the best French fry restaurant in Sarasota and Manatee counties is now featured in the pages of USA TODAY just in time to celebrate National French Fry Day, which is today, July 12.
USA TODAY, a sister publication of the Herald-Tribune, posted its story online Tuesday (July 9) featuring "America's favorite French fries." The same article runs today in USA TODAY's weekend print edition.
"In a poll on local websites, our USA TODAY Network food writers asked readers to choose their favorite local French fry," reads the USA TODAY story. "The winners of each local site were announced July 8 — and we've rounded up many of them here."
Only two Florida restaurants were included in the list of 20 from across the country. One is a hot dog and burger joint in Fort Myers, while the other is a favorite found right here in Bradenton. These two restaurants are also featured in today's story by our USA TODAY Network Florida Dining & Entertainment Team about the best eateries for French fries in the Sunshine State.
Best restaurants for French fries?Our favorites from across Florida
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USA TODAY:Here are America's favorite French fries
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Central Cafe in Bradenton featured in USA TODAY for its popular French fries
A charming restaurant located on Manatee Avenue East, Central Cafe occupies a first-floor space in a handsome brick building in a former historic hotel near the popular Bradenton Riverwalk. While I'm a big fan of the restaurant's burgers, pizza, and blue cheese-laced tomato soup, Central Cafe’s essential dish is the French fries.
The thin, hand-cut fries are adorned with chunks of coarse salt and offered to guests as a heaping pile of decadent deliciousness. Lightly fried, smartly salted, and served warm with a soft center and just the right amount of crispiness, each fry is somehow more fabulously addictive than the last.
Central Cafe's fries are perfect on their own, but I do enjoy them covered in the Heinz malt vinegar the restaurant provides while dipping the occasional fry into ketchup. Another great option is to dunk the fries into a bowl of the cafe's brilliant tomato soup. It’s a bit messy, but totally worth it!
If you go
Central Cafe is at 906 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton. For more information, call 941-757-0050 or visit centralcafe941.com.
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
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