Review
Matt’s Bar Fries
Basket of Memory: The Fries at Matt’s Bar, Minneapolis
You don’t go to Matt’s Bar for the fries. You go for the Jucy Lucy, the molten-core, crust-seared burger that’s so tied to Minneapolis identity it might as well have its own zip code. You walk in, squeeze into a booth, order your Lucy, and almost out of reflex, say, “I’ll take fries with that.”
It’s the “with that” that interests me.
The fries arrive in a red plastic basket, wax paper fluttering like the inside of a lunchbox. They’re thin, golden, familiar. A little crooked, a little greasy in places, and entirely devoid of pretense. No truffle oil, no parmesan dusting, no trio of aiolis to dip into while discussing your favorite fermentation podcast.
These are just fries.
Shoestring-style, factory-uniform, and yes — frozen. No one’s pretending otherwise, and frankly, no one needs to. Their job is to support, not steal the scene. And in that role, they’re nearly flawless.
There’s a moment — about three bites in — when you realize something surprising: You’re still eating them.
They’re lightly salted, fried to a soft golden hue, and served hot enough that you forget, momentarily, how forgettable they should be. The exteriors are tender with a whisper of crisp, and the insides are warm and fluffy in that processed-yet-pleasing way only frozen fries can pull off.
Are they double-fried? No. Hand-cut? Definitely not. Memorable? In a strange way, yes.
5-C Rating (Tasting-Based)
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coating & Color | ★★★☆☆ | Light golden and even. No drama, but no disaster either. |
| Crispiness | ★★☆☆☆ | Soft at the edges, never truly crunchy. A gentle fry. |
| Creaminess | ★★☆☆☆ | Soft interior typical of frozen fries — pleasant enough. |
| Creativity | ★☆☆☆☆ | Fries by the book. If there’s a twist, it stayed in the kitchen. |
| Character | ★★★☆☆ | You’ll finish them. You might even steal a few more. |
Total: 11 / 25
Matt’s fries are a reminder that sometimes, fries don’t need to impress — they just need to be there. They anchor your burger, soak up the extra ketchup, and give your hands something to do while the Lucy cools down enough not to sear the roof of your mouth.
They’re not fancy. They’re not fussy. They’re just fries — and sometimes that’s exactly what fries should be.
Where to Find Them:
Matt’s Bar
3500 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis, MN
Order the Jucy Lucy. Say yes to the fries. Don’t expect greatness. Expect something better: belonging.