French Fries!

By Richard Martinovich

The lines outside Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx in central Amsterdam are long. People wait patiently to get a paper cone stuffed with fries drowned in a rich mayonnaise.

The Dutch are crazy about their fries, known as Friet or Patat. There are numerous “fries stands” -- or frietkot in Flemish -- in the Netherlands that serve fries, some offering 20 different toppings (“war sauce;” mayo, peanut satay, onions is popular). The Dutch are no more obsessed than their neighbors south, Belgium, where fries are part of their national identity (There is a French fry museum, The Frietmuseum in Belgium!). Belgians are said to consume more fries than any country, and petitioned UNESCO to recognize Belgium as the birthplace of fries, claiming when a river froze over in 1680, and fish were inaccessible, residents began frying potatoes instead! American soldiers stationed in a French-speaking region of Belgium in WW I were introduced to the fried potatoes and hearing the French language spoken, wrote home about “French Fries.”

Where French fries first appeared is still a hot potato discussion, but there is no doubt fries are a universally loved food, eaten across many cultures. In Britain, chips are a thicker cut fried potato that goes well with fish, and a sprinkle of malt vinegar.

Americans eat nearly 30 pounds of French fries per person annually, and McDonald’s sells around 9-million pounds of fries a day! In the US, fries compliment a meal; a burger or sandwich. Maybe in the 1970’s, you went to Schwarz’s Drive-in on Westnedge for a burger and fries. In America we like to put ketchup on them.

Around Kalamazoo, there is a large selection of restaurants, pubs and taverns that make their own unique fries. Lake Street Tavern, HopCat, Louie’s Trophy House and Nonla Burger are just some that garner rave reviews for their fries.

National French Fry Day is July 13! Bon Appetit, or Patat!