Will Johnson is a member of the LINK nky editorial board, and he loves, loves, LOVES french fries. Come back each month for a new column on deep-fried delicacies around the region.

The only thing better than a good french fry is a great french fry. But where have all the great fries gone? That’s where we come in. Every month for the next year, we will be visiting spots throughout Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati to uncover the crispiest, saltiest, most mouthwatering fries the region has to offer. 

Whether they are curly, hand-cut, fried in duck fat, or sprinkled in extra seasoning, we are on a mission to identify the best of the best. We’re ready to do the hard work so you don’t have to.

We are the Fry Guys. And we are reporting for duty.

Location

This month, we traveled to Fort Thomas to visit Tickle Pickle. This location has been a part of the Fort Thomas community since 2023, but Tickle Pickle itself recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of serving burgers and shakes to the masses.

If you’re interested, Tickle Pickle is also home to the Stairway to Heaven Burger Challenge. This feat requires you to consume their Classic BreadZeppelin Burger featuring ten 1/3 beef patties and ten slices of cheese. You’ll also have to eat a pound of French fries, a pound of pickle spears, and drink a 20-ounce milkshake.

Note: We did not try the Stairway to Heaven Burger Challenge. We still value our lives.

What do the Fry Guys think?

“As a self-proclaimed ‘river rat’ and Newport resident, I joke about how little I go to Fort Thomas. But I was willing to travel to unfamiliar territory to try these fries,” said Will.

Ambiance

The Tickle Pickle is a music-themed restaurant that loves puns and adorns its tables with images of famous bands and musicians. Outside of that, it was what you’d typically expect: comfortable benches, high-top and traditional table seating, and a 6-foot mural of an anthropomorphic pickle in a Viking helmet. You know, standard fare.

We arrived the same night as the Highlands vs. CovCath football game, which was held up the street. Nearly every family in the neighborhood was at Tickle Pickle, draped in blue and white. However,  the game created an electric atmosphere. It was loud, crowded, and extremely fun.

What do the Fry Guys think?

“I snagged the last available table at around 6:30 p.m. With the crowd, I felt like Rose during that sinking scene in Titanic when she found the door. Except, I actually made space for Phil when he arrived,” said Will.

“The music references run deep. I arrived late because of traffic and Will had already housed an order of Britney’s Spears — their spicy fried pickle spears — and I nearly ordered a Mariah Curry sandwich based solely on the name,” said Phil.

Appearance

Seasoned, uniformly sized,  golden and visibly loaded with flavor.

What do the Fry Guys think?

“I’m just glad I remembered to take a photo this time,” said Will.

Taste & Texture

Crispy outside, fluffy inside, every single time. Fantastic seasoning mix. It was intriguing but also felt familiar.

What do the Fry Guys think?

“It was like an Arby’s curly fry but without all the drama,” said Phil.

“Why would you say something so controversial yet so brave?” asked Will.

Value and Experience

The value was really good; these days, you don’t often see a burger on a pretzel bun with goat cheese, jalapeno jam and caramelized onions that costs less than $18. Almost everything on the menu is $10-12, and adding fries is just $2 with any burger, sandwich, or vegan option. An order of fries on their own was just $3. Zero complaints.

We paired our fries with signature burgers. Phil chose the Pearl Jam, which included all the exotic ingredients noted above. I opted for the Metallica with mayo, American cheese, bacon, egg and zero Lars Ulrich. The burgers were well-proportioned and generous without the toppings going into the “sloppy” range.

What do the Fry Guys think?

“I’ve become way too accustomed to $15+ burgers served with no sides. This was a breath of fresh air,” said Phil.

“I’m right there with you. I thought someone made a mistake with our check until I did the math,” said Will.

Final Verdict

We walked out planning when we’d come back with our friends. That should tell you everything you need to know. Next time, we’ll check the high school football schedule first.

Tickle Pickle Restaurant

Address: 915 N. Ft. Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas

Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Sunday – Thursday) | 11 a.m. -10 p.m. (Friday – Saturday)

Phone: (859) 815-8085

Website: ordertickle.com