Late Night Movie

From 1989, one of the first attempts at creating edible microwave French fries. At least it was a cool commercial, even if the fries didn’t match up for a few years.

Free Medium Fries

Have you tried the new Angus Third Pounder at McDonalds yet? If you haven’t and are so inclined, for the month of August, there are free fries in it for you. Click here for the printable coupon.

Fries on Twitter

In a delirious brainstorm after reading far too much Texts from Last Night (which I absolutely love, but not as much as French fries), I decided to record the state of the fries community on Twitter. Here’s just a sampling...

isabelmusic gonna try my home made fries again...maybe a bit thicker this time, I don't know...

wkdkmom Mmmm..Five Guys burger and fries. If I had a Rita's gelati, it would be the perfect meal. :)

starprincesss Guess what I found at the gas station? Ketchup flavored fries! Naaasty! http://twitpic.com/cqxpl

nuriati Seaweed shaker fries.. Fav seh!!! http://mypict.me/hoLp

captainpj "You going to eat all of that?" he asked, while staring at my fries om-nom-nominously...

YoRitaSouthSide criadillas de carnero tonight. if you don't know about lamb fries... now ya know!

Clumsy21 i want an in n out combo with the fries mmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!! and the double double ugh!!!! I LOVE IN N OUT

benjiharding @Jmarc803 Five Guys is amazing...best fries ever.

manlyeats MANLYCOMIC of the day: "batter dipped, deep fried french fries" titled fryfry-fry-fry-fried-fries -- http://bit.ly/ACSPw

Just a ‘taste’... we’ll do this again. If you want to follow me on Twitter, I’m here. And I can see I’m going to have to do a bit of research on shaker fries and lamb fries, among other things...

Mmmm... fries...

French Fry Diary 35: The Just Fries Phenomenon

One thing I noticed on this trip to Walt Disney World was that there were a few places in WDW, notably Disney MGM Studios and the Magic Kingdom where McDonalds fries were available as a snack. Just the fries. Well, also beverages of course, but none of the other standard Mickey D’s fare. No Big Macs, no McNuggets, no triple thick shakes, not even a McGriddle – just those delicious golden fries.

It’s almost as if someone figured out what the winning menu item was and decided to cash in. Now you can go up to a McDonalds kiosk and order fries, and not feel like a fiend because you didn’t order a sandwich too. Great marketing, Disney and McDonalds! And by the way, the ‘golden’ fries near the Pirates of the Caribbean ride – clever!

*reviewed from my 2005 trip to Walt Disney World.

Baked Hash Browns

Baked Hash Browns

Another recipe from Quick Cooking...

"Mother always served this creamy, satisfying potato dish to company, and now I do, too," writes Julie Driskel of Magnolia, Arkansas. "It tastes especially good with steak or roast beef."

SERVINGS: 8
CATEGORY: Side Dish
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 5 min. Bake: 55 min.

Ingredients:
8 frozen hash brown patties
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
Place patties in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.
Sprinkle with salt and garlic powder. Pour cream over patties.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50 minutes.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender and cheese is melted.
Yield: 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts
One serving:(1 each)
Calories: 213 Fat:15 g Saturated Fat:10 g Cholesterol: 56 mg Sodium:416 mg Carbohydrate: 15 g Fiber:2 g Protein:5 g

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Baked-Hash-Browns

French Fry Diary 34: Cookes of Dublin

One question I have been asked time and time again since I started this blog is “What are the best / your favorite French fries?” This is the entry that answers that question – at least so far.

Cooke’s of Dublin at Walt Disney World, or to be more precise, it’s that Disney West Side / Disney Marketplace / Downtown Disney / Pleasure Island (or what’s left of it) multi-mega-plex shopping center. This is the fast food side of the Irish Pub operation called Raglan Road.

You can get fish and chips, chicken skewers and chips, or a ‘lurry-load of chips.’ A truckload I suppose, but I always thought trucks over there were called lorries rather than lurries. It should be noted that the Irish-accented staff had no idea either. Oh those Irish, they can’t even speak the Queen’s English. ;-)

The chips, as fries are called on the emerald isle, were long and thick, without skins, sometimes surprisingly long. They were also cooked to order, no waiting under heat lamps, fresh from the fryer. While they were deep-fried, the chips have a very cool (and I don’t mean temperature) baked French fry texture, not greasy at all. On the inside they have a wonderful baked potato taste, obviously brought on by the thickness of these chips. They were sooo good, we made two trips to Cookes on this visit.

There is also a lot to be said for the authentic Irish atmosphere. The music, the accents, the food and everything else combine to make you forget you’re in the middle of the Disney sphere of influence. Even the condiments add to the atmosphere as vinegar is provided for the chip traditionalists.

Other bonuses include ‘doh-bars’ for dessert... the insidious deep-fried candy bars we in the north have heard so much about. I like my danger foods but even I didn’t dare this one. Maybe next time. And of course, being in the south, you get to sample Mr. Pibbs instead of Dr. Pepper. Viva la difference.

And there you have it, the best French fries in the world (so far, and I’m still searching) are the distinctly Irish chips from Cookes of Dublin. Give ‘em a try when you visit Orlando, Florida or Disney World.

*reviewed from my 2005 trip to Walt Disney World.

Bacon Cheese Fries... Or Are They?

This Quick Cooking recipe from Taste of Home isn't really what it sounds like. It seems like it should be a finger food, is even referenced as a finger food, but is in reality a casserole-type dish. Here you go:

Bacon Cheese Fries
Quick Cooking

"These tempting potatoes are one finger food I can make a meal of," informs Marilyn Dutkus of Laguna Beach, California. "Quick to fix, they're a hit at parties and as a snack. Ranch dressing is a tasty alternative to sour cream."

SERVINGS: 8-10
CATEGORY: Appetizer
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

Ingredients:
1 package (32 ounces) frozen French fried potatoes
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
Ranch salad dressing

Directions:
Cook French fries according to package directions.
Place fries on a broiler-proof dish or platter.
Sprinkle with cheese, onions and bacon.
Broil for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Serve with ranch dressing.
Yield: 8-10 servings.

Nutrition Facts
One serving:(1 each)
Calories: 218 Fat:11 g Saturated Fat:4 g Cholesterol: 14 mg Sodium:180 mg Carbohydrate: 25 g Fiber:2 g Protein:6 g

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Bacon-Cheese-Fries

French Fry Diary 33: The Winner

The very clear winner of our “What Are Your Favorite Fast Food French Fries?” poll is McDonalds. Twenty-nine out of ninety-three votes went to Mickey D’s golden fries. Granted they are very consistent, very tasty and very very famous, as well as convenient (where isn’t there a McDonalds nearby?)

I’d really like to hear from the folks who voted for McD in this poll. Let me know why you voted the way you did. Contact me here. Remember, curiosity killed the cat, not the French fry fan. That was cholesterol ;-) but we’ll let the Health Nazis take care of that diatribe.

Second place with eight votes belongs to Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and most deservedly should. Their fresh and hot natural regular cuts are always terrific. Check out my review of their fries here.

Also with eight votes is the ‘someplace else’ category. Obviously I couldn’t list every fast food place in the country so I just went with a handful. Eight folks chose ‘none of the above,’ and just like above here in this article, I’d like y’all to please contact me and let me know who does actually have the best fast food French fries. You’ve got me curious, let me know! ☺

Now on the other end of the spectrum, it should be noted that Sonic (whose fries are not the best), White Castle, Jack in the Box, Nathan’s and Stewart’s received zero votes. I’d love to know why on that point as well. Are those fries really that terrible? I would take serious issue with Nathan’s unique thick crinkle cuts getting no votes as I think those are pretty special. Not the best, mind you, but up there pretty high.

In-N-Out Burger, which I’ve never had, and those spicy long fries at Checkers and Rallys both got seven votes each for third place. Bringing up a tie for fourth place were Burger King, Wendy’s and those tasty waffle fries from Chick-fil-A. Fifth place with four votes belongs to Popeyes which leads me to believe that a lot more folks like those long and spicy battered fries than I thought. Me, I can only have them once in a while. Too much aftertaste.

Sixth place, Fatburger, was what I personally voted for. Whether you get the Skinny Fries or the Fat Fries, I think they are the best of the fast food fries, followed by probably by Nathan’s, Five Guys, Chick-fil-A and maybe Roy Rogers. But what do I know… about French fries?

Whataburger took two votes for the distant seventh place, and Arby’s, KFC, Carl’s Jr., Hardees, Roy Rogers, Dairy Queen and Long John Silver all received one vote each. We’ll do this again at some point and see how folks’ minds may change (or not). Please feel free to comment below, or contact me directly. Until then, mmmm... fries...

Cajun Potato Wedges

Cajun Potato Wedges

From Simple & Delicious
May/June 2009 issue
Page: 27

These terrific-tasting three-ingredient potatoes go with all kinds of summer entrees and just couldn't be much easier! - Merle Dyck – Elkford, BC

SERVINGS: 4
CATEGORY: Lower Fat
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Ingredients:

3 medium potatoes (1-1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon Crisco® Light Olive Oil
2 to 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

Directions:

Cut each potato lengthwise into eight wedges; place in a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan.
Drizzle with oil.
Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning; toss to coat.
Bake at 450° for 20-25 minutes or until tender, turning once.
Yield: 4 servings.


Nutrition Facts
One serving: 6 potato wedges
Calories: 156, Fat: 4 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 341 mg, Carbohydrate: 29 g, Fiber: 3 g, Protein: 3 g

French Fry Diary 32: Olga’s Diner 1949-2009

Originally it was located in Camden NJ and first opened in 1949. In 1960 they opened the location most people know it by on the circle where Route 73 and Route 70 meet. For sixty years Olga’s Diner was a South Jersey icon and landmark.

Whether you were on your way to Philadelphia or down the shore, Olga’s was the place you met and got together – though if you were local it was not necessarily the place you ate. Being open twenty-four hours it was sometimes where you ended up at four in the morning.

At one time the food must have been good. Supposedly the bakery was legendary. But for as long as I’ve been aware of Olga’s it was not the place to eat. Maybe get coffee or a Coke (although I think they gave you Pepsi no matter what you asked for) but nothing else.

For those wondering about the favorite fried food, they were typical diner fare. Regular straight cuts, probably frozen and then deep fried, and they were replaced by those awful Invisicoat things when that came into style. Bad fries to match the rest of the place.

It has been in serious decline the last decade. Closed due to health violations, pest problems (when it snowed you could clearly see the rats running in the parking lot), seriously defeated by the vastly superior Medport Diner down the road in Medford and the recent Marlton Diner right up the street, for sale several times, seized due to backtaxes, and now, possibly, finally dealt the deathblow of the Circle being demolished to facilitate a cloverleaf.

It looks as if now it will soon be torn down, and South Jersey will lose a friendly and familiar if tarnished landmark. I don’t know if there really ever was an Olga, but we’ll miss her and her Diner. Rest in peace.