Fish and Chips and Vinegar!
The topic of the french fry is obviously very dear to my little Canadian heart. We’ve had our chat about the infamous poutine and now we’re going to delve into even stranger territory. Yes, Canadians like to top their tasty taters in cheese curds and gravy, but sometimes our palates yearn for a different set of flavours.
The number one fry topper/dipper/soaker in Canada is ketchup. Heinz ketchup to be exact. The brand is very important. I know some Canucks whose restaurant choices are based solely around which establishments have the beloved, holy grail of ketchup known as Heinz.
Following just after ketchup is vinegar. The type used varies, but is most often just your run-of-the-mill white vinegar. You know, the stuff used to make salad dressings, clean your windows, or remove the skunk smell from your dog.
I’m not making it sound particularly appetizing am I?
Really though, it’s not a bad companion to the fry. There are, as always, a few things to watch out for when experimenting with this ingredient. Make sure your fries can stand up to a splash of liquid. Limp fries will turn to mush in the face of this potent fluid. The amount you apply and the speed at which the fries are eaten are also very important variables to take into account. Too much liquid can kill even the crunchiest of the potato clan. Too much chatter in between fry consumption can lead to an equally devastating mushy massacre.
Of course, we have to give a nod to our British brethren for our love of fries and vinegar. We didn’t come up with it ourselves.
Beyond that, many people have their own interesting concoctions to act as fry dip. Some include mayo, barbeque sauce, mustard, ranch dressing, mozzarella, and I’ve even heard rumours of Wendy’s frosties being used as a dunk tank for fries. I can’t say I quite endorse that one.
What do you dip your fries in? Is it a regional thing or personal preference? Be sure to let me know!
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Ketchup, especially Heinz ketchup. I honestly don’t know that I’ve ever seen a brand of ketchup other than Heinz in a restaurant here.
Dipping fries in Wendy’s Frosties is popular here, which is gross in my opinion.
I think aside from ketchup the other most popular french fry topping here in the states is cheese (the annoyingly named American cheese) and bacon pieces. Yum!
Vinegar all the way. It’s by far the fry’s best companion.
The Wendy Frostie got popular at my old school when campus opened a Wendys (*gags*). I avoided most of it all together aside from a few chicken nuggets and once a shake because campus + fast food=ultra turnoff.
But just earlier today I used a creole mayo from my favorite organic cafe to dip my friends in.
Oh.. Wait. Chili cheese fries ^.^ *foodgasm*
I love both ketchup and vinegar on fries!! Soooo good! You know what you have to try? Chicken Salt on fries… Not many other countries do it but it’s sooo goood
I dip mine in ketchup. Any kind is generally fine, but I’ve never tried vinegar before.
My child just dips his fingers in the ketchup, he bypasses the fries entirely. Or he dips his fingers in the ketchup, licks them clean and then eats the fry without dipping it unless he’s shown how to dip it.
Chicken salt and tomato sauce is preffered for me.
Vinegar is also good, alone. And a mixture of mayo+tomato sauce is lovely.
Regards from Western Australia
Well, ketchup is basically tomato-flavoured vinegar, isn’t it?
Malt vinegar and fries is where it’s at. And you’re right, it’s a British tradition that kind of never left Canada and has been adopted into the local cuisine. Although I find, at least here in Vancouver, it’s really not at all common to find vinegar at restaurants to eat with your fries, with a few exceptions.
I love dipping my fries in chocolate pudding. Sounds gross, but it’s soooo good!
Definitely ketchup any brand as long as it is a tomato ketchup. I also love dipping my fries in KFC’s gravy. Yummy!
Maaan oh man…. I have the biggest craving for fries now!!! I don’t know whether I should go to McD’s and buy like 2 XL fries, or if I should buy the frozen stuff and make my own… mmmm…. so hungry… drool…
Oddly enough I used to dislike any ketchup until I quit smoking ~ now I love the stuff, preferably Heinz..vinigar or lemon if the fries are the skinny greasy crisp ones that accompany fish. mmmm-mmm-mm