SWFL turns french fries into a variety show

We can never let well enough alone with our favorite foods, and we say hurrah to that. Thursday is National French Fry Day, and while spud lovers celebrate the blissful union of potatoes, salt and oil, we happily cheer the virtues of tinkering with them. Fries get friends in cheese, chili and more in Naples. Here are a few of the Naples dining spots that have an enhanced take on the classic:

Waffle fries

Pollo Tropical, 3777 U.S. 41 E., East Naples, and 5065 Golden Gate Parkway and 6833 Collier Blvd., Golden Gate, plus three locations in Fort Myers and one each in Estero and Cape Coral, specializes in a deep golden crisscross cut to maximize the crunch power. They're dusted with salt, pepper and a touch of seasoning to blend in flavor and color ($3.29).

Chick Fil-A offers a more straight-ahead waffle fry, simply waffle-cut and fried ($1.75), at its Naples locations, Coastland Center, 1874 U.S. 41 N., and  5825 Airport Pulling Road N. There also is a locations in Estero, and Fort Myers has five. 

Loaded fries

Every sports bar and its brother has loaded fries. These are generally a tasty amalgam of chili and a yellow cheese, although you can order cheese fries without the chili.

Stevie Tomato's Sports Page, in Pebblebrooke Plaza, 15215 Collier Blvd. No. 301, North Naples, has a bit of a different take on the loaded fries category, however, smothering them in a mozzarella and asiago cheese blend with applewood bacon ($8.99). They're more tender than crunchy, with a sprinkling of scallions. And, for those for whom too much is not enough, there's a side of tangy ranch dressing. To-go orders get ketchup and mayo for further indulgence.There's another location in Cape Coral. 

Poutine

This is the hearty Canadian take on fries, which our Northern neighbors often eat simply salted and given a spritz of cider vinegar. Poutine comes from Quebec, where there are restaurants and even a popular chain, Smoke's Poutinerie, dedicated to variations of the dish. So when Canadians began coming to Naples, poutine was not far behind. 

At the USS Nemo, 3745 U.S. 41 N., Naples, Montreal-born chef Nicolas Mercier serves the classic — fries covered with a light brown gravy and liberally dotted with cheese curds ($6.75). 

At The Continental, 1205 Third St. S., Naples, it's made into a small plate dinner with duck and foie gras sausage ($16); The Warehouse at 9010 Bellaire Bay Drive, North Naples, also serves a duck poutine. You also can find it  at Bambusa Bar & Grill, 600 Goodlette-Frank Road, No. 112, Naples ($7), although they sub mozzarella for the cheese curds.

Truffle fries

Baleen Restaurant at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, 9891 Gulf Shore Drive, North Naples, gets raves for its truffle Parmesan fries ($9), although they're only listed as lunch and late lunch options. At least three other dining spots offer the same double decadence: 

Capital Grille, 9005 Mercato Drive, North Naples, which substitutes white truffle oil ($12)

Sea Salt, 1186 Third St. S., Naples ($12)

St. Germain Steakhouse, 403 Bayfront Place, Naples ($10)

Blue Provence, 1234 Eighth St. S., Naples, stays French to its roots, weighing in with classic truffle fries ($9). So do The Wine Loft at Mercato, 9118 Strada Place, No. 8150, North Naples ($6), and Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar, Venetian Village South, 4270 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples  ($7). 

Free fries

Yes, there are freebies  honoring the day.

» BurgerFi restaurants are offering free fries with any hamburger or hot dog order Thursday: There are two locations in Naples: 

 The Shops at Eagle Creek, 12712 U.S. 41 E., East Naples

Naples Creekside, 1514 Immokalee Road, No. 101, 

» McDonald's restaurants offer a free medium order of fries order with a sandwich purchase for the next two Fridays, July 14 and July 21. You must download the app to your cellphone to get it.