I’ve heard that in Belgium they say the best “french fries” are made in horse fat. This was reported by a chemist and cooking oil expert on National Public Radio. I’m ready to try it, but where do I get the fat?
Just throwing in a comment: Anvers is the French name for Antwerp (Antwerpen in Flemish).
**CuriousC ** - I think I’ve been there too. Is it that famous little stand where you can get all kinds of ridiculous sauces for your frites? like curry mayonaise? :-O~~~
(that’s a barficon)
For what it’s worth, I’ve heard the frites origin story as the OP described. And without conclusive proof either way, I’m in the ‘who gives a damn, pass the ketchup’ camp. Now let’s talk about the origin of ketchup vs catsup.
LD: Are you following me around the boards? 
Yes, actualyl though you are right. I remember that is where I became familiar with “Lapin” sauce… it wassoo good and I always got them there just for that. The Gaufres stand on the other side of the square (well just down a bit towards “Fnac” music store was really really good too (but for waffles). Hijack #3, ever go to “Le Pot-au-Lait”?
Back the the OP more or less: I have lived in Belgium and toured Europe, and the fries there can’t be beat.
And I LIKED curry mayo!
Check out this website for more about Belgian Fries:
http://www.belgianfries.com/index.cfm?Module=histor1
The author offers the theory that the term “French fries” does not in fact derive from national origin but because of the method of slicing the potatoes, similar to French-cut green beans for example.
<< The author offers the theory that the term “French fries” does not in fact derive from national origin but because of the method of slicing the potatoes, similar to French-cut green beans for example. >>
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Board, rmwarnick, glad to have you with us. This forum is devoted to comments on Staff Reports, and it helps to have read the Staff Report before adding comments. The Staff Report in question, Who invented the French fry?", acknowledges and rejects that theory. The verb “french” to mean slicing doesn’t appear until the 1890s; the French Fried Potato is known around 50 years before that.