They might be called “French” fries, but don’t be fooled — these crispy delights might not be so “French” after all.
Here’s the story: in the 1700s, people living along the Meuse River used to eat fried fish.
But because most people in the southern part of Belgium speak French, they ended up calling these little slices of heaven “French” fries.
They say the fry did in fact start in France, when street vendors started selling them in Paris in the late 18th century.
Despite some investigative journalism, Newsy is unable to confirm which side of the story is true.
But Newsys not-so-objective journalist Ben Schamisso likes to think that his Belgian ancestors were the ones that cooked up the idea — and its name should give them credit.
In 2003, some Americans started calling them “freedom fries,” to protest France’s opposition to America’s proposed invasion of Iraq.
They actually changed the name in the Congressional cafeteria for a bit. But that didn’t last too long.
Today, if you ask most people if they want some fries with that, you don’t need to specify if they’re French, Belgian, or freedom.
Steak frites, meaning “steak [and] fries” in French, is a dish consisting of steak paired with French fries. It is commonly served in European brasseries, and is considered by some to be the national dish of Belgium, which claims to be the place of its invention.
Today, if you ask most people if they want some fries with that, you don’t need to specify if they’re French, Belgian, or freedom.
Here’s the story: in the 1700s, people living along the Meuse River used to eat fried fish.
Despite some investigative journalism, Newsy is unable to confirm which side of the story is true.
They say the fry did in fact start in France, when street vendors started selling them in Paris in the late 18th century.
But Newsys not-so-objective journalist Ben Schamisso likes to think that his Belgian ancestors were the ones that cooked up the idea — and its name should give them credit.
Now, I’ve eaten at some lovely restaurants in France and they have these same scrumptious potatoes there. Hence, the name French fries. Yeah, I knew that. But have we fast-foodized them so much so that I feel goofy ordering them in the kind of restaurant where they got their start? Even if I ordered them with a ribeye?
They were well presented on a plate with a black folded napkin and sprinkled with parsley on top. And the flavor was out of this world.
In honor of National French Fry Day, we asked our Steak Enthusiast to weigh in on the hot debate: steak fries vs. baked potatoes?
After further research I’ve discovered that there’s a Facebook page dedicated to these babies.
I must admit, I felt a bit uncouth ordering them. I mean, this is what I eat when I’m forced to spend an afternoon at McDonald’s. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE those fries, but this was a nice, fancy meal. Should I have ordered fries?
STEAK FRIES / How to make /Perfectly seasoned oven fries
FAQ
Why are fries called steak fries?
Why is it called a steak fry?
What’s the difference between steakhouse fries and French fries?
What is steak fries in French?