I studied abroad in the spring, and I traveled with a friend to Belgium one weekend. While there, it was recommended to us to visit the Fry Museum. It was there that we learned fries are not actually French, they're Belgian. It turns out, the name French fries was based in a huge misunderstanding. French speaking Belgian soldiers in WWI offered some fries to other soldiers, and they became known from that moment forward as French fries. Granted, it was probably more complicated than that, but that's what the museum said.
Speaking as someone who ate fries almost exclusively for lunch and dinner while in Belgium and then tried fries in France, I'm here to tell you that they're so much unbelievably better in Belgium. Controversial statement: fries were made to be covered, not dipped, in the sauce of your choosing, and that sauce should be mayo. I said it. And I stand by it.
Belgian fries are fried twice. Once to cook them, and once to fry them for real when you order. They're always fresh and they're always amazing, even cold. You can top them with a variety of sauces, although the only reason fry stands in Belgium have ketchup is for Americans, which should tell you that ketchup is not condiment intended for fries. You can also have a variety of other toppings added, although the only one I tried was what we thought was a fried hot dog. Still amazing.
As I said, I ate fries for lunch and dinner almost every day I was in Belgium (the only time I didn't was to substitute in Belgian waffles, which are equally amazing). Loaded fries, just straight fries with mayo, anything. The sad thing is, I have yet to find a Belgian fry place in my vicinity in the States. As much as I love them, I'm not going on a 4 or 5 hour drive just to try America's version of Belgian fries.
What's up with that, America? I just want some damn good fries. Maybe I'll have to test out some recipes and open my own Belgian fry place some day. Because you can take the girl from Belgium, but you can't take the love of Belgian food from the girl.
