re: So what is the big debate on french door fridges vs side-by-side?

I would never have a side by side. The space on each side wouldn't work for me and my style of cooking and storing. Some of the French doors look okay, but I prefer the freezer on top. I had to have my kitchen fridge fixed, so I bought a new one for the kitchen and there were none that I could find in the size I wanted with the freezer on top. I despise the drawer at the bottom. I don't like deep freezers either. Only uprights for me. I have two of those and my old fridge with the freezer on top is in the garage with the two freezers. I don't like water/ice in the door. Haven't had that.

You have to get what you think will function best with your life style and the size that will fit nicely. Go open and close doors on them in appliance depts and get a feel for them. Look at the space carefully and think about your habits in freezing and refrigerating. Read reviews.