15 places in Tampa Bay to get great french fries

National French Fry Day is July 12, and since fries are a summertime favorite we rounded up places to get good ones. Our list runs the gamut from simple to loaded and includes tots, waffle fries and sweet potato fries. It’s a celebration of fried potatoes.

3 Daughters Brewing: The St. Petersburg brewery is having its annual French Fry Festival on July 13. Pamz Pizza Conez’s Loaded Supreme Fries are topped with queso blanco, sausage, pepperoni, grilled peppers and onions, marinara, mozzarella and Parmesan. Flip N Tasty, which serves Filipino fare, has loaded fries with mild cheddar and jack cheese, Pinoy barbecue pork marinated in soy sauce, garlic, “tasty sauce” and scallions. Speaking of pork, Funnel Vision offers the Sloppy Pig, with smoked pulled pork and mac and cheese over seasoned fries topped with barbecue sauce, scallions and garnished with a pickle. Below 716 offers Buffalo fries with blue cheese and Texas Pete Chili fries with chili sauce, diced onion, shredded cheese and mustard. Noon-6 p.m. 2100 Second Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 3dbrewing.com.

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar: The Blackened Shrimp Poutine are on the new summer menu at this Wesley Chapel seafood spot. They’re a twist on a traditional poutine, fries topped with chorizo gravy, cheese curds and gulf shrimp. Noon-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. 25026 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Lutz. 813-949-0016. theshuckinshack.com.

Frenchy’s: The Garlic Crab Fries at this beach joint with multiple locations are the stuff of major hankerings: Beer-battered skinny fries are tossed in garlic butter and parsley, then topped with garlic aioli, Old Bay seasoning and snow crab. Served at all five locations on Clearwater Beach and Dunedin. frenchysonline.com.

Ricky T’s Bar and Grille: You’ve got options galore at this Treasure Island sports bar that is popular for its daily live entertainment. Fry Baskets offerings are crispy; sweet potato; blackened, served with honey mustard; truffle, tossed in Parmesan cheese and truffle oil; and bacon and cheese served with sriracha and ranch. The only dilemma is deciding which to get. 9 a.m.-midnight daily. 10601 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. 727-363-7425. rickytsbarandgrille.com.

German Knodle: Europeans know good fries, and the ones at this downtown restaurant are crispy outside, fluffy inside and best dipped in curry sauce. They’re a good accompaniment to sausages and schnitzel but also a delicious snack on their own. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. 951 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-631-2106. germanknodle.com.

Bazille: Next time you’re at International Plaza, check out this restaurant inside Nordstrom. Whether prepared with salt and pepper and served with kalamata olive aioli or truffle Parmesan with truffle aioli, the spuds are thin and crispy, perfect for dunking. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa. 813-356-7916. nordstrom.com.

Psomi: This Greek-American bakery and eatery in Tampa also serves fries with kalamata olive aioli, a pairing made in savory heaven. The golden fries are short and stout, tossed in herbs and go great with — or on — a gyro. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. 701 N. Howard Ave., Tampa. 813-841-5555. eatpsomi.com.

Twisted Indian: Perhaps not the most likely source for this list, but that’s why it’s twisted. The Yogi Fries feature Sidewinder Chat Fries, topped with tikka masala sauce (choice of chicken, paneer or tofu), mozzarella cheese, slaw, raita yogurt sauce and cilantro. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. 2639 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-954-3872. thetwistedindian.com.

Thirsty First: Don’t sleep on this downtown St. Pete bar and grill’s weekday happy hour menu (4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday), which has Buffalo Bleu Fries for $5. Or on the regular menu, go for the Prohibition Tots, cheddar cheese-stuffed tots wrapped in bacon and served with “fra diablo” ketchup. Regular and sweet potato fries are also available. 4 p.m.-3 a.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. 119 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-317-3333. thirstyfirstlounge.com.

The Burg Bar and Grill: Spuds come as traditional fries, topped with feta, as tater tots, waffle fries and sweet potato fries at this bar and grill in St. Pete’s Grand Central District. All have good mouthfeel and flavor no matter the preparation. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. 1752 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727- 894-2874. theburgbar.com.

Salty J’s: There are many occasions when this bar and restaurant’s Drinker’s Fries are a necessity. It all starts with Cajun seasoned fries topped with cheddar jack cheese, blue cheese crumbles, chopped bacon, sliced jalapenos and a drizzle of Buffalo and ranch dressing. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Thursday, noon-2 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. 5625 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-485-8978. saltyjstpete.com.

The Pearl: It’s fitting that this gastropub at Water Street Tampa has tavern fries, but Tampa Bay Times food and dining critic Helen Freund says, “Don’t overlook the tater tots, which arrive fried to a crispy golden-brown and come with a creamy, tangy tartar sauce for dipping.” 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. 823 Water St., Tampa. thepearlrestaurant.com.

Flipn’ Fries Factory: You can definitely make a meal out of the fries at this build-your-own spot at the Krate in Wesley Chapel. The combination possibilities are too many to mention, but signature ones give you ideas, like the Kratewalker: carne asada, grilled shrimp, fried chicken, bourbon glaze, garlic aioli and shredded cheddar. 2-9 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. 5840 Grand Oro Lane, Wesley Chapel. 813-501-8706. flipnfriesfactory.com.

Ceviche: Spanish-style potatoes come two ways at this tapas bar and restaurant on St. Pete’s Beach Drive: Cold Papas Fritas are chips with blue cheese, sherry cream, Serrano ham and scallions; or there are warm Patatas Bravas with spicy aioli. They’re both on the Tapas Tuesday menu from 4-10 p.m. for $8 and on the regular menu for $10. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. 332 Beach Drive, St. Petersburg. 727-209-2299. ceviche.com.

Cassis: Of course we included this French-American restaurant’s fries. They come traditional, truffle (with chives and Gran Padano cheese) and also offer hand-cut potato chips. You’ll feel transported to a French bistro right on St. Pete’s Beach Drive. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. 170 Beach Drive, St. Petersburg. 727-827-2927. cassisstpete.com.