French Fry Diary

Nadia G.'s Parmesan Potato Croquettes

2012-01-27T15:27:00.000-05:00

I love Nadia G. and her "Bitchin' Kitchen" over on the The Cooking Channel. It is easily the most entertaining, as well as informative, show on the network. On the episode "Impress the In-Laws" she makes the irresistible Potato Croquettes. They are matched up with Roasted Tomatoes and Filet Mignon. Here are the recipes: Ingredients • Roasted Tomatoes • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved • 4

French Fry Diary 329: Pop Chips

2012-01-26T21:43:00.000-05:00

My first impression of Pop Chips is that they are crazy hard to open, without the use of a scissors, a blowtorch, or an AK-47. Wow, do you want us to have these things or not? I have been hearing about Pop Chips for quite some time, from friends and family, from the Pop Chips Twitter, from strangers, and from ads. But it wasn't until recently that I actually saw them in a store. I snapped

Random Tater Pic of the Day #32

2012-01-24T19:51:00.000-05:00

Here's my buddy Ray from last week's Philadelphia Wings game. It was his first game, as well as his first time at Chickie's & Pete's. Here, he's enjoying Crab Fries for the first time. Mmmm... fries...

French Fry Diary 328: Outback 2011

2012-01-23T15:33:00.000-05:00

Recently my buddy Ray and I were going to have a guys night out at the movies, and wanted to have some dinner beforehand. It wasn't as easy as we thought it would be. Our last resort after trying Applebee's, the Library II, and even McDonald's was finally the Outback Steakhouse. How I've reviewed the Outback before and wasn't really all that thrilled. This time however, I found a meal I was

French Fry Diary 327: Chopped: "Frozen Fries With That?"

2012-01-20T16:19:00.000-05:00

For Food Network Friday, I have something special today. The Bride and I love the Food Network show "Chopped." After being turned on to it by my friend Ray, we became quick fans, tuning in every Tuesday night at ten in the PM to see four chefs compete to make the best dishes from mystery ingredients in a limited amount of time. It's a hoot hosted by chef Ted Allen. This past week, one of

French Fry Diary 326: The Aborted Applebee's Attempt

2012-01-19T13:43:00.000-05:00

Let's be clear up front. Applebee's neither cares nor has any pride in their French fries. They are not included in their online menu as a side or an appetizer. You have to hunt them down to even see a picture of them on said menu. I guess if you're ordering online, fries just aren't an option. It's been a long looong time since I've been to Applebee's. This is due to their always

Random Tater Pic of the Day #31

2012-01-18T15:15:00.000-05:00

Here's a Somebody Else's Fries entry from my sister-in-law who spent a weekend in New Orleans with her husband recently. These fries are from the Gordon Biersch on Poydras Street near the French Quarter. Their signature Garlic Fries will make sure no one will talk to you afterward, very strong, but very delicious. Thanks, Amy!

French Fry Diary 325: Chickie's & Pete's 2012

2012-01-17T18:41:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again, yeah, that's right, it's Philadelphia Wings lacrosse season. Now lately, this is a bittersweet thing. I have been, along with The Bride, members of her family, and various friends over the years, a season ticket holder for the Wings since roughly 1990. I like lacrosse a lot, it's pretty much the only professional sport I follow with any real passion. They used to

French Fry Diary 324: 25 Burgers

2012-01-16T20:08:00.000-05:00

Like Smashburger, 25 Burgers is mostly a North Jersey phenomenon, but with one location in my area, in Woodbury. The claim to fame of 25 Burgers is that you have at least twenty-five choices, including angus beef burgers, chicken breast burgers, and other specialty burgers. They've been around since 2009, and have expanded their franchise since. The day after New Year's Day was a day off for

French Fry Diary 323: Champps Americana 2011

2012-01-12T23:49:00.000-05:00

I didn't want to come back to Champps in Marlton, but it was a family decision and a family lunch, so I figured I'd make the best of a bad situation and try their "world famous" waffle fries this time. Unfortunately, Champps Americana was not accommodating. When it came time to order, the waiter had bad news. They were out of waffle fries. What? Are you kidding? I was a little bit ticked

Random Tater Pic of the Day #30

2012-01-11T18:45:00.000-05:00

Today's random pic come from the webcomic Toothpaste for Dinner by Drew and Natalie. It speaks the truth. Special thanks to the Dark Crystal and her Tumblr for hipping me to this. Rock on, girl.

French Fry Diary 322: Smashburger 2012

2012-01-09T14:29:00.000-05:00

Smash. Sizzle. Savor. That's what it says on the windows at Smashburger, and it pretty much says what the burgers there are all about. They are fantastic. And after re-reading my first review of Smashburger last year, the burger, and the Haystack Onions, are why we came back. Like last year, The Bride and I were in North Jersey for New Year's Eve -good friends and good fun- and we decided to

French Fry Diary #321: The Boxing Day Expedition

2012-01-07T20:10:00.000-05:00

The night of Boxing Day, the day after Christmas here in the States, The Bride, her folks, and I decided to go out to dinner. No one could make up their minds as to where to go, except for me, who had an ulterior motive, so it was left up to me to decide. I wanted to try a fairly new restaurant in Moorestown that had been recommended to me called A Battered Tartan, a good old-fashioned fish

Sweet Potato Matchsticks

2012-01-06T19:55:00.000-05:00

Since we've been talking lately here about matchstick fries, for Food Network Friday today, here's a video of Tyler Florence making sweet potato matchstick fries: Enjoy!

French Fry Diary 320: Bahama Breeze 2011

2012-01-05T21:42:00.000-05:00

It's become tradition to meet up with friends from college and their families in the week after Christmas. Sometimes all of our schedules sync and we all get together, and sometimes it's just a few of us. This year, it was just The Bride and I with Dom and Cindy and their kids. You might remember they were on the last Disney Cruise with us. We got together again for dinner at Bahama Breeze in

French Fry Diary 319: Trader Joe's Shredded Hash Browns Two Ways

2012-01-04T09:12:00.000-05:00

The last time I reviewed Trader Joe's Shredded Hash Browns I theorized that they could also be damned good matchstick fries (pretty much self-explanatory, or if you insist, very very thin shoestrings), if deep fried or baked. Well, on my most recent trip to TJ's, I picked some up, and had the opportunity to give it a try. For deep frying, it's got to be quick, and you've got to keep your eyes

What Are Your Favorite Kind of French Fries? Poll Results

2011-12-30T23:04:00.000-05:00

First off, thank you to all the folks who voted in this poll, and put forth their 121 votes for their favorite fries. It means a lot, I mean, I know there are not many folks who are as passionate and enthusiastic about the favorite fried food as I am. Here are the results, from least favorite kind of fries to most favorite: The favorites with 39 votes are Steak Fries, followed by the 27

French Fry Diary 318: Hanukkah for Christmas

2011-12-29T12:43:00.000-05:00

Now while I spent the morning with my family celebrating Christmas, the bulk of Christmas Day was spent with The Bride's family celebrating Hanukkah, and also doing the usual - movies and Chinese food. Most of the family went to see Chipwrecked, that the nephew was dying to see, while the brother-in-law and I preferred the solace of an action flick. After seeing some of, and sleeping through

French Fry Diary 317: IHoP Breakfast

2011-12-28T19:26:00.000-05:00

As I said the other day, Christmas breakfast was set for the International House of Pancakes, and we met the family there. I would rather have had a home cooked ham breakfast but everyone has gotten old and it's a hassle… so IHOP, being open on Christmas Day, has become the default meeting place for chat and gift exchange. I spent a lot of the time talking with my big brother Warren because

Another Potato Latkes Recipe

2011-12-27T19:15:00.000-05:00

These thin onion and potato pancakes make a tasty accompaniment to any meal. The key to their crispiness is draining all the liquid from the grated potatoes and onion before frying. 12 Servings Prep: 20 min. Cook: 20 min. Ingredients: 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled 1 medium onion 1/2 cup chopped green onions 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper Oil for deep-fat frying

French Fry Diary 316: Trader Joe's Shredded Hash Browns

2011-12-26T15:38:00.000-05:00

This year The Bride and I decided to do something different on Christmas Eve. Not just running around last minute shopping and gift wrapping, that is. As our meals for Christmas Day had been all planned out already, and our traditional Christmas morning breakfast had been traded out for IHOP, we decided we'd have the regular Christmas morning breakfast for dinner Christmas Eve night. So

French Fry Diary 315: Cool Dog Café's Hanukkah Sliders

2011-12-24T16:20:00.000-05:00

The staff shirts at Cool Dog Cafe say "traditional food. fresh ideas. cool." Ira and the folks there have a tradition of amazing specials and this holiday week is no exception. Presenting the Hanukkah Sliders. I was lucky enough on Christmas Eve today for lunch to partake in the last day of these beauties, but don't worry, they will be back maybe for Passover and definitely next Hanukkah.

Super Mister Potato Head Commercial

2011-12-23T16:49:00.000-05:00

Don't know what to get that special someone for the holidays yet? Here's an idea... maybe...

French Fry Diary 314: Doghouse Burgers & Fries

2011-12-22T14:34:00.001-05:00

I heard about Doghouse Burgers & Fries from friends. The Doghouse is located in the Voorhees Town Center, formerly the Echelon Mall. Wow. I used to work at the Echelon Mall as a teenager, and let me tell you, the only things that are the same are the location, the escalators, and the Salvation Army lady incessantly ringing her bell. I do not miss holiday retail. Doghouse is actually

Potato Latkes for Hanukkah: Two Different Recipes

2011-12-21T22:27:00.000-05:00

This recipe is from BarbH at the [just-potatoes] Yahoo! Group: This was her Great Grandmother's recipe Potato Latkes (Pancakes) INGREDIENTS 2 cups grated raw potatoes rinsed and drained 1 tablespoon matzo meal ground 2 eggs beaten pinch of baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 small onion grated INSTRUCTIONS: Mix well, drop by the tablespoon on hot greased skillet (rendered chicken fat is