HopCat's founders settled on the final recipe for their crack fries (named for how addictive they are) while sitting around a table drinking beer — which could explain why the fries are battered in light beer before they're sprinkled with black pepper seasoning. Some people order extra toppings, like cheese sauce, jalapenos and onion, and almost everyone orders a cold one on the side. The owner's favorite: an IPA called Huma Lupa Licious by Michigan-based Short's Brewing Company.

Multiple locations; hopcat.com

Photographs by Levi Brown