# What are British chips - not fries - called in America? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 8, 2019, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791 "2019-03-08T22:13:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/41 "2019-03-09T04:18:29Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > My daughter does that with any hamburger. I think it’s the tartar sauce that does it for mine. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/42 "2019-03-09T06:38:39Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Has anyone outside of Canada sampled poutine? Ohhh, yes. When I went to Toronto a few years ago, I had to try it. Since then, it’s become available at some restaurants here in the States, and I make it at home, as well. French fries + cheese + gravy – what’s not to love? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/43 "2019-03-09T06:41:22Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Has anyone outside of Canada sampled poutine? > > [Poutine - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine) > > I’ve tried it, but didn’t particularly care for it. I love cheese curds, but think brown gravy should be poured over mashed potatoes only. Some local joint has their own version. Didn’t particularly care for it; don’t even remember who it was from. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/44 "2019-03-09T06:45:45Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > The lil’wrekker always has French fries with a vanilla shake. She dips the fries in the shake. I laugh every time I see it. My SO did that with Wendy’s frosties before she became diabetic. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/45 "2019-03-09T08:35:17Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > I’m not sure I’m parsing the sentence correctly, but I just want to point out that “frenched fries” is not a term used in the US. It’s “french fries”. Quite right - I was getting my cooking terms mixed up. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/46 "2019-03-09T09:07:06Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I used to take my daughter to McD’s after church every Sunday. Even before she could talk, she’d take the top off her Filet-o-Fish, carefully layer her fries over the fish, and then reassemble and eat the sandwich. If any were left over, she’d use them to scoop up the tartar sauce stuck to the wrapping. > > She’ll be 24 this weekend, and she still eats a Filet-o-Fish the same way. Should take her to [Primanti’s](https://primantibros.com/) someday. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/47 "2019-03-09T09:23:04Z")
Nm, made a mistake here. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/48 "2019-03-09T13:15:33Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Should take her to [Primanti’s](https://primantibros.com/) someday. Cap&Egg for me (Capicola with a fried egg) with the standard fries and slaw on the sandwhich. French fries I eat following the local customs. In the French Caribbean, I use mayo. I’d never consider mayo in the US though. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/49 "2019-03-09T13:16:18Z")
Home fries. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/50 "2019-03-09T13:46:39Z")
Around here, home fries are diced and fried very crispy with onion. TX/OK Mostly a breakfast side. I put Tabasco on them . ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/51 "2019-03-09T13:53:15Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > I know that what the UK calls crisps are called chips in Yank-land and (Frenched) fries are pretty much the same, but if I wanted the voluminous British chips rather than the tiny American fries, for what should I ask in America? To expand on a previous answer, the term “French fries” most likely comes from a shortening of “French fried potatoes,” not from the technique of “frenching” (aka julienning). That term post dates the “French fried potatoes” phrase by a half century, though the shortened “French fries” doesn’t show up in print until the 1930s. Cecil [did a column](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2033/whats-the-origin-of-french-fries/%E2%80%9C), but I’ve seen this on some language blog as well, ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/52 "2019-03-09T14:46:09Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > The lil’wrekker always has French fries with a vanilla shake. She dips the fries in the shake. I laugh every time I see it. I’ve seen people do this with Wendy’s Frosty desserts, back when only chocolate flavor was available. EDIT: I shoulda read through – ninja’d by \*\*Skywatcher \*\*😃 ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/53 "2019-03-09T15:10:05Z")
If you go to [Buffalo Wild Wings](https://www.buffalowildwings.com/en/food/sides-extras/), you can get not only french fries (medium thick) and potato wedges, you can get **actual chips** , that is, potato coins which are crinkle cut. I love those, because they are the best at scooping up condiments like bacon. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/54 "2019-03-09T15:32:32Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > I’ve seen people do this with Wendy’s Frosty desserts, back when only chocolate flavor was available. > > EDIT: I shoulda read through – ninja’d by \*\*Skywatcher \*\*😃 Yeahs, it’s kind of a quasi-classic combo. I’ve never done it myself, but it’s common enough that when I think of a Wendy’s frosty, I think of people dipping fries into it. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/55 "2019-03-09T15:46:25Z")
Oddly enough while I like dipping my fries in gravy, poutine doesn’t sound appetizing to me, partly because I’d rather have regular fries than cheese fries, and partly because I want to be in control of how much gravy I get. I’m the same way with ketchup on burgers: I like to have it sometimes but I have to put it on myself to control how much. Also oddly enough I like cheesy nachos, which is also a starch-cheese combo. Just not poutine for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/56 "2019-03-09T15:49:06Z")
The ones in the linked picture, I’d just call “French fries”. They’re not thick enough to meet even the lower bound of what I would call “steak fries”. If pressed, I’d say “French fries that are a little thicker than typical fast-food ones”. And in my experience, “jo-jos” aren’t just fried potato wedges: They’re partly baked before frying, resulting in an interior texture somewhere between a fry and a baked potato. As for condiments, really good, fresh-cut fries get salt and vinegar, frozen-sliced but fresh-fried (such as one might get from a half-decent fast food place) get just salt (there’s usually enough already put on by the restaurant), and fries that aren’t quite so fresh, or which are too thick to have enough surface area, need ketchup. And I have no idea if I’ve ever had poutine. My only option for ever getting it has been to make it myself, but both times I made it for a department potluck, the Montrealan in the department wasn’t able to make it, so I don’t know if I got it right. But whatever it was that I made, it was pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/57 "2019-03-09T15:59:06Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Yep. [Here’s an example of fish & chips from a local Irish-style chipper.](https://www.washingtonian.com/2015/06/11/eamonns/) I miss them; the nearest one is a Starbucks now. I’ve been to that very one several times after a night out in Old Town. Good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/58 "2019-03-09T16:04:22Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > I’m not sure I’m parsing the sentence correctly, but I just want to point out that “frenched fries” is not a term used in the US. It’s “french fries”. I’m not parsing it right either. As written, American fries are the same as crisps/chips. Which is obviously not true. I read this thread completely out of order, so apologies if I missed an already-written clarification. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/59 "2019-03-09T16:15:32Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > I’m not parsing it right either. As written, American fries are the same as crisps/chips. Which is obviously not true. > > I read this thread completely out of order, so apologies if I missed an already-written clarification. US fries = UK chips US chips = UK crisps My understanding is that in the UK they use the term “American fries” to refer to a thinner cut than they normally use for what they call “chips.” But we don’t make that distinction. They’re all just fries to us, whether thick or thin. The OP wants to know what term he can use in America to ensure that he gets thick fries instead of what he considers thin “American” fries. But we have no such distinction. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/60 "2019-03-09T16:36:08Z")
Gotcha. Yes, he’d just have to ask for places with thicker fries. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791.md?page=4)