You Dip Your Fries In...

Steve West | September 7, 2021
Saw this on Facebook... CANNOT SAY KETCHUP!

Scott Hardie | September 7, 2021
Why not ketchup? I grew up near Chicago and its well-known snobbery about ketchup on hot dogs. Is there now a thing about not putting ketchup on fries either?

I rarely dip fries, but when I do, I like to dip them in melted cheese. Steak 'n Shake's fries are immeasurably improved by dipping them in a cup of gooey melted cheese, and Taco Bell's nacho fries are specifically designed to pair well with cheese.

Also good if it's available: Honey mustard dressing. The saltiness of the fries pairs well with the sweet, tangy dressing, much like with BBQ sauce.

Scott Hardie | September 7, 2021
I have never understood dipping Wendy's fries into chocolate Frosties. I have tried several times and it just doesn't taste very good. If you like it: What's the appeal?

Samir Mehta | September 7, 2021
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Chris Lemler | September 7, 2021
I have dipped my fries in ranch dressing and may i say that was yummy

Erik Bates | September 7, 2021
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Steve West | September 7, 2021
I missed mayo as an option. Erik is correct about no ketchup. Oh! I forgot gravy.

Scott Hardie | September 7, 2021
Yeah, Hunt's is inferior to Heinz.

Most of the dipping sauces at Chick-fil-A are good with fries. I'm partial to their Chick-fil-A sauce with fries.

I can't believe I've gone this long without trying fries with mayo, despite knowing it's a thing. I need to correct that soon.

I will try ranch too, now.

I once tried the fancy poutine at Epcot's Canadian steakhouse (from the menu: "Fresh-cut French Fries, Gruyère, Beef Bourguignon Gravy, Garlic Aïoli, Truffle"), but I've never just tried regular poutine with fries, gravy, and cheese. I really should.

Thank you for the dining ideas, Steve. I needed this. :-)

Samir Mehta | September 7, 2021
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Scott Hardie | September 7, 2021
I asked Kelly what she prefers for dipping fries. She said sweet & sour sauce. That sounds pretty good too!

Now I want to make a fry board and have people over.

Erik Bates | September 7, 2021
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Samir Mehta | September 7, 2021
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Steve West | September 7, 2021
Yeah, I just drooled thinking about it and gained 5 lbs.

Scott Hardie | October 11, 2021
The Takeout suggested more fry sauces today, only one of which we previously discussed.

I couldn't remember now the scientific explanation for it, but I once read a piece by a culinary scientist who explained how different tastes complement each other in unexpected ways because of our brain chemistry, and one of those combinations that she gave as an example was French fries dusted with cinnamon powder. I can definitely imagine that being good.

Scott Horowitz | October 13, 2021
How about this place?

Erik Bates | October 13, 2021
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Scott Hardie | October 13, 2021
I would try that restaurant! If I may link to The Takeout twice in three days, that restaurant reminds me of this guy's attempt to cook everything with ranch, from donuts to geoduck to dumplings. And he swears that his chocolate cake batter made with ranch actually tasted good, so the restaurant could make a ranch-based dessert if they tried. :-)

Scott Horowitz | October 14, 2021
I would totally try that place... I am all for more original ideas in dining. My wife and I rarely go out to a chain restaurant, always trying the "Mom & Pop" place vs the other. Granted, if you go out for chain pizza in my area it's considered a cardinal sin

Erik Bates | October 14, 2021
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Scott Horowitz | October 14, 2021
Lol @Erik

Steve West | October 14, 2021
I plan to open a restaurant named "I Don't Know" so every time your significant other (like Brenda) answers the question, "Where do you want to eat?" with, "I don't know", I get another customer. And poutine is on the menu.

Scott Horowitz | October 14, 2021
mmm... poutine.. they call it "Disco fries" here in NJ

Scott Hardie | February 22, 2022
One of Kelly's favorite vloggers (we never miss an episode) is a woman named Beryl who tries recipes from around the world. Today she released an episode about what people put on French fries that made me think of you all. I'd be happy to try any of those dishes! Beryl did not one but two previous episodes on the subject of French fries, if you want even more ideas. (And if you're considering watching more of the channel, I recommend it. The meatball episode is her best IMHO.)

Scott Hardie | June 27, 2024
Watching this video about tomato ketchup, I thought of our conversation. The host is insistent that he must always have ketchup on his French fries, and he's close-minded about trying any other condiment on his fries, and he's certain that he speaks for a vast majority of people who feel like he does. I disagree of course (both with his preference for ketchup and his estimate of how many people share his palate), but I don't doubt that there is some subset of American eaters (many of them children) who would agree with him.