Every July 13th, food lovers across the country mark National French Fry Day — one of those small, slightly silly, genuinely fun food holidays that gives everyone a reason to order the side dish they’d usually feel a little guilty prioritizing over the main course. For a counter-serve burger spot like Burger Barn on Forest Ave, it’s not exactly a stretch holiday — fries are already core to what we do, and this is the one day a year they get to be the headline instead of the side act.
Why French Fry Day Actually Fits a Burger Counter
Some food holidays feel like a forced marketing angle for a given restaurant. National French Fry Day isn’t one of those for a burger joint. Fries aren’t an afterthought on a burger menu — they’re half the reason a combo order feels complete, and a kitchen that takes its burgers seriously usually takes its fries just as seriously. Burger Barn’s sides program includes real, specific options that go beyond a plain basket of fries, including chili fries and the kind of crispy steak fries that customers consistently call out as a highlight.
What to Order on July 13
If you’re treating fries as the main event for the day rather than a side thought, a few directions make sense depending on your mood:
- Chili fries — for anyone who wants their fries to be the whole meal, not just a side. Loaded, hearty, and built for someone who’s genuinely celebrating the holiday rather than just snacking.
- Classic steak fries paired with a burger — for the traditionalist who wants to honor the holiday without straying too far from a normal order. Crispy, sturdy fries that hold up well against dipping sauces and don’t go soft halfway through the meal.
- Onion rings as a fries alternative — Burger Barn’s onion rings get their own praise from regulars, and National French Fry Day is as good an excuse as any to put them head-to-head against the fries and decide which one wins your personal vote.
A Side Dish Worth Celebrating on Its Own
Part of what makes fries worth a dedicated holiday is how easy it is to get them wrong elsewhere — soggy, underseasoned, or clearly reheated from a freezer bag. The detail that regular customers tend to bring up about Burger Barn’s food in general — made fresh, not microwaved — applies just as much to the fry program as it does to the burgers themselves. A side dish made to order, rather than held under a heat lamp, is the actual difference between fries that are fine and fries worth building a holiday post around.
How to Make the Most of the Day
National French Fry Day isn’t a huge traffic-driving holiday on the scale of July 4th, but it’s a perfect low-stakes excuse to order something you might not normally prioritize. A few ways to actually use the day:
- Order fries as the centerpiece, not the side — try the chili fries solo instead of defaulting to a burger combo.
- Bring the debate to your group order — have everyone in your group pick a side (fries vs. onion rings) and settle it over lunch.
- Pair it with a smaller burger — since the fries are doing more of the work today, a lighter burger like the Coastal Burger keeps the meal balanced instead of doubling up on heavy items.
Order Ahead and Skip the Wait
Like any small food holiday that gets attention on social media, National French Fry Day can bring a modest bump in foot traffic to restaurants that lean into it. Ordering ahead online is the simplest way to make sure your celebratory fries are ready when you want them, rather than waiting behind everyone else who had the same idea after seeing a post about the holiday.
Whether you’re a serious fry connoisseur or just looking for an excuse to order a side as your main, July 13th is the day to let Burger Barn’s fries do the talking.
Q&A Pairs:
Q: Do you have any specials for National French Fry Day?
A: Check our Google Business Profile and social pages around July 13 for any current promotions tied to the holiday.
Q: What kind of fries does Burger Barn serve?
A: We offer classic steak fries as well as loaded chili fries, alongside onion rings as an alternative side.
Q: Can I order just a side of fries without a burger?
A: Yes, sides can be ordered on their own through our online ordering page.
