The hunt to identify the provenance of the cheese fry takes one down a strange rabbit hole.

Can they be traced to Texas, the generally accepted birthplace of chili cheese fries, as perTaste Atlas?

Or are cheese fries native to Missouri, as posited viaCommercial Appeal?

arbys loaded curly fries

Courtesy of Arby’s

What we do know is that todaycheese friesare on the menu atfast-food chains across America.

And what’s more, many fast-food restaurants offer fries loaded up with a lot more than cheese.

And you’re able to have them toss on a slice of American cheese if you’d like.

sonic drive in loaded fries

Courtesy of Sonic Drive-In

But if you want to go all out, try the restaurant’s magisterialGarlic Parmesan Loaded Fries.

The ranch is an X-factor here.

checkers garlic parm fries

Courtesy of Checkers

baconator fries wendys

Courtesy of Wendy’s

arbys loaded curly fries

Courtesy of Arby’s

Del Taco chili cheese fries

Courtesy of Del Taco

white castle cheese fries

Courtesy of White Castle

animal style fries and burgers from in n out

Drea S. / Yelp