Final 4: Courier Journal's Starch Madness enters Round 3. Here's how to vote
The final four are here! The Courier Journal's Starch Madness, where we want you to pick between competitors to decide which is Louisville's favorite spot to get French fries, is heating up. The race to top fry has entered round three, with just four restaurants left facing off.
The online bracket-style competition, which was compiled using a random match-up generator, runs over four total rounds now through Friday, April 5, with the champion announced on Monday, April 8.
You can vote up to eight times per day at courierjournal.com. Here's what to know:
Which restaurants are in round three of the Courier Journal's Starch Madness?
Hot and Crispy Region
Matchup 13: Hammerheads vs. Toasty's Tavern
Hammerheads
921 Swan St., louisvillehammerheads.com, Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.
This cozy Germantown spot has six fry varieties of which to take a bite. Pick your fry flavor, from a simple basket to Grippo fries with sweet and spicy barbecue seasoning. The menu also features fries tossed with truffle oil, garlic herb fries, sweet potato fries, and the option to "have 'em in duck fat," according to its menu. Enjoy as a standalone snack or a side item to accompany a crispy catfish sandwich, elk burger or pulled pork sandwich.
Toasty's Tavern
1258 S. Shelby St., toastystavern.com, Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Monday
As the motto goes, classy is a state of mind at Toasty's. And fries are often the snack of choice at this Shelby Park diner-style bar and restaurant with a backyard-like patio. Specifically, the garbage-loaded fries are a go-to menu item. The spread, priced at $14, comes with queso, pickled jalapeno, taco spiced burger patty, sour cream, and a Frito crumble. This is influenced by an offering from the now-closed New Wave Burritos, which shared the same owners as Toasty's Tavern. A side of chili cheese fries is also on the menu.
Savory and Salty Region
Matchup 14: Monnik Beer Co. vs. Burger Boy
Monnik Beer Co.
1036 E. Burnett Ave., monnikbeer.com, Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight
Some breweries offer nibbles such as chips and pretzels. And some breweries offer plenty more. Monnik, for example, has its own "house-cute fries" section on the menu, with three takes: War fries, $11, are served with house mayonnaise, peanut satay and onion. Donder fries, $14, come with sour beef, raisin sauce, mayo, and onion. Chili cheese fries, $15, are mixed with gouda fondue, turkey chili, and pickled jalapenos. Want a side of fries with a burger, salad, flagship beer or cocktail? That'll be $6.50.
Burger Boy
1450 S. Brook St., burgerboydiner.com, Hours: Open 24 hours daily
If you're up for fries at any hour of the day, Burger Boy is up for the challenge with its classic burgers and fries. You can order fries covered in chili cheese or served "killer loaded." Either way, you'll be participating in a Louisville tradition.
What is the Starch Madness voting schedule?
Each round of voting runs from 5 a.m. Monday to noon Friday. Round results will be announced on Mondays. The winner will be announced Monday, April 8.
Round 3: Four restaurants; Voting Monday, March 25-Friday, March 29. Results announced on Monday, April 1
Round 4: Two restaurants; Voting Monday, April 1- Friday, April 5 at noon. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 8
What 16 restaurants were selected for Starch Madness?
Burger Boy, 1450 Brooks St.
The Eagle, 1314 Bardstown Road
Four Pegs, 1053 Goss Ave.
The Grales, 1001 Baxter Ave.
Granville Pub, 1601 S. 3rd St.
Grind Burger Kitchen, 829 E. Market St.
Hammerheads, 921 Swan St.
Hauck's Corner, 1000 Goss Ave.
Le Moo, 2300 Lexington Road
Monnik Beer Co., 1036 E. Burnett Ave.
Mussel & Burger Bar, 113 S. 7th St., 9200 Taylorsville Road
Ollie's Trolley, 978 S. 3rd St.
The Silly Axe Cafe, 1001 Logan St.
Taco Luchador, 112 Meridian Ave., 10305 Taylorsville Road
Three Brothers Restaurant, 2001 7th Street Road
Toasty's Tavern, 1258 S. Shelby St.
How were the 16 restaurants selected?
The restaurants were selected by members of the Courier Journal newsroom and by readers who responded to a Courier Journal post on social media based on various criteria, including taste, crunch, flavor and more.
Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Courier Journal Starch Madness Round 3: Matchups, how to vote
