Most of us can agree that the epitome of American cuisine is, of course, the burger. But what is a burger without its best friend, the French fry?

The quest to find Marin’s best fries is a long and treacherous climb through a mountain of calories. But hey, someone’s got to do it.

The Bark rated the French fries at different locations around Marin. Ratings are based on taste, value, and greasiness of the fries, as well as the ambiance of the restaurant.

Fifi’s Diner (4 stars)

A statuette of Betty Boop greets you as you walk inside the old-fashioned diner at the Bon Air Shopping Center. It is a tiny, adorable place lined with red tiles and neon lights along the wall creating a 60s feeling.

At Fifi’s, the fries are simple, crispy and thin-cut with a good salt-to-pepper ratio. They are not too salty or too spicy. Most of the fries are perfectly cooked, and while a few are just a bit undercooked, they are not soggy by any means.

They are also not greasy at all. There might be a little oil on one’s fingers after eating them, but that’s understandable. They are fries, after all.

At $3.65 for a large basket of fries to share with friends, Fifi’s is the best deal. It would be entirely possible to get full just off the fries themselves, without even having touched a burger.

Super Duper (2.5 stars)

The wooden furniture and wall accents soften the modern feel of the steel chairs and open kitchen at Super Duper near Tam High School in Mill Valley.

Despite the nice ambiance of the joint, Super Duper cannot compensate for the greasiness of its fries. At $2.25 for a one-sized small plate of fries, the grease level is off the charts. One can clearly see the oils on fingers and plate, making washing your hands a necessity after eating.

The French fries are well-cooked, but after a while all the oil collects on the bottom of the plate, making the bottom fries soggy. They’re also a bit bland, needing more salt.

M&G Burgers (3.5 stars)

As M&G’s is famous for its crinkled cut fries, there are high expectations going into the Larkspur diner, located about half a mile from Kent Middle School. Thankfully, those expectations are almost met.

M&G’s is almost always crowded, which can sometimes make for a great atmosphere. But when one is met with an overheated and stuffy feeling from the mass of bodies cramped into a tight space and nowhere to sit, it’s not always the best experience.

However, the fries and ‘60s silly surfer-theme definitely compensate for the stuffiness and lack of tables.

The fries are perfectly salted and mostly well-cooked, with a only a few fries limp or soggy. However, the grease level is a bit high, and a lot of oil is left over on the bag and on your fingers.

M&G’s fries are reasonably priced at $2.65 for a medium-sized order. The downside is that the portions are not very big and they only accept cash, so you’d better head to the bank!

The Counter (5 stars)

The modern feel of Town Center in Corte Madera’s beloved burger joint is both refreshing and cool. With the retro light blue walls and artsy black and white surfer photos surrounding the sleek aluminum chairs and tables, it’s obvious to see why the Counter is widely popular among Redwood students.

However, right after taking a bite of its fantastic fries, one completely forgets about the cool surroundings and focuses on the awesome taste. Though the Counter has a number of different fries options, for this review, the Bark decided to stick with the original.

Each fry is cooked to perfection, super thin and crunchy, making you eat handfuls at a time. The grease level is close to none, taking away that oily feeling of eating fries. The best part however, is the seasoning.

The R.L Schreiber seasoning is a mixture of paprika, salt, and pepper creating an exciting taste of special flavors. This unique seasoning from the Counter sets it apart from the standard salt-and-pepper seasoning of other restaurants and makes the fries the best in Marin.

Although the price of $4.95 is expensive, the one-sized plate of fries is substantial and filling.