There's nothing quite like McDonald's French fries straight from the fryer - they're moist-yet-crunchy, deliciously fresh tasting and almost too hot to eat. The same can't be said of older batches. To put it bluntly, they taste like cheap, soggy cardboard with some salt sprinkled on top. If you're unlucky enough to order at the wrong time, this can seriously impact your enjoyment of the meal.

Fortunately, it's not difficult to get a fresh batch of McDonald's fries every single time - and you don't need to employ wily subterfuge or menu 'hacks' to get it. Instead, just ask at the counter.

Cold french fries are seemingly one of the few leftover foods that cannot be salvaged. Once a fry starts to cool, the water inside the fluffy starch granules moves out towards the crust, rendering the insides of the fry grainy and the outsides mushy. It’s a truly terrible situation.

Cancel your summer diet, because Macca's is bringing back two of its most beloved menu items - the Mexican-themed EL Maco Burger and original Shaker Fries! In addition, it's also serving up Mozzarella Sticks served with a side of El Maco salsa. Here are the details.

Video: McDonald’s may be a hamburger restaurant, but it’s the fries that keep them coming back. Oddly, the fries that made McDonald’s famous — the ones that truly set them apart from their fast food rivals — are not the fries they serve today.

Hot chips come in many shapes and sizes. Some people prefer thick 'n' chunky steak fries. Others are more partial to the classic French fry. More still prescribe to crinkle cut (these people are weird). Whatever your chip preference, this algorithm will ensure they turn out perfectly, every time. (Micky Mouse/Amphibious Landing Craft shape not included.)

In 1990, two significant things happened: I had a dinosaur-themed birthday party, and McDonald’s changed their french fry recipe. One might argue that someone who was four in 1990 couldn’t possibly remember the iconic flavour of the original McDonald’s fry, but I remember my dinosaur-themed birthday party in extreme detail, so checkmate, Aristotle.

I am a worldly woman of much class, which is why one of my favourite things about travelling is seeing what the local talent at international McDonald’s have to offer, particularly in terms of dipping sauces and McFlurry options.

I’ve dined on Cadbury McFlurries in England and dipped my nuggets in La Sauce Curry in France, but these instant noodle-flavoured “Shake Shake” fries from Hong Kong are something truly special.

Bugger me, it's cold. Dragging myself out of bed this morning was an effort worthy of the 12 labours of Hercules. If you're feeling similarly glum and frozen, a trip to Macca's may be in order: it's selling a limited-edition range of spicy sides just for winter.

Fact: If you're not frying your chips in beef tallow, you're eating garbage.

You've just acquired some salty strands of golden happiness from your favourite burger joint. Here's how you get them home crispy and not soggy.

Frozen, store-bought french fries are beyond convenient, but you can easily make your own. Not only are homemade freezer fries cheaper than their grocery store counterparts, but you know exactly what's going into them, and they taste a little better.

Hey, do you like garlic French fries topped with cheese? Good thing you can learn this super easy way to cook some up at your next barbecue or car camping trip, from the folks at Delish.