# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/61 "2019-03-09T16:55:57Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > 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. We do have distinctions, but most eateries only have one kind of fry. So you can ask for steak fries, but they may only have shoestrings. My experience with Fish&Chips here in New England, at my own restaurant and others, is that 3/8" to 1/2" square cut fries are served with the fish. A steak fry would be rectangular, at least twice that size, and that’s what I recall eating in England. ---
**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, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/62 "2019-03-09T17:00:14Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Should take her to [Primanti’s](https://primantibros.com/) someday. OMG, that looks good! :o ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/63 "2019-03-09T17:39:31Z")
[Cottage fries](https://www.landolakes.com/RecipeManagementSystem/media/Recipe-Media-Files/Recipes/Retail/DesktopImages/15468.jpg?ext=.jpg) Also see the terms “home fries” and “steak fries” as noted above. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2019, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/64 "2019-03-10T10:07:39Z")
> [@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. Hah! The Guestling does this with frosties from Wendys. At least now I know he isn’t the only one to dip fries into ice cream ---
**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 10, 2019, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/65 "2019-03-10T10:46:58Z")
God, I haven’t had fries with a Frostie in years. A friend of mine introduced me to that as a kid. Pure heaven. ---
**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 10, 2019, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/66 "2019-03-10T12:35:59Z")
> [@guestchaz](#): > > Hah! The Guestling does this with frosties from Wendys. At least now I know he isn’t the only one to dip fries into ice cream [Far from it.](https://www.buzzfeed.com/michaelblackmon/dip-your-fries-in-your-frosty) ---
**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 10, 2019, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/67 "2019-03-10T12:54:29Z")
Fries and Frosty predates the Reformation. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2019, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/68 "2019-03-10T22:48:45Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > When they are that thick, I do prefer calling them "steak fries’. Actually, I don’t like fries that thick, the center is usually mealy. To each their own, of course. Yeah, me, too. I much prefer skinnier fries … if they’re not too crisp. ---
**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 10, 2019, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/69 "2019-03-10T22:57:48Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > When they are that thick, I do prefer calling them "steak fries’. Actually, I don’t like fries that thick, the center is usually mealy. You may be using the wrong potatoes. Maris Piper all the way! ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/70 "2019-03-11T00:03:14Z")
[Here’s a chart](https://i0.wp.com/www.foodrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/French-Fries_V2.jpg?resize=700%2C1605) of all the styles of french fries. Om nom nom. ---
**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 11, 2019, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/71 "2019-03-11T00:54:52Z")
If they’re going to be counting tater tots and cottage fries as “kinds of French fries”, then they really ought to have crisps/chips, too. Probably several types of them. ---
**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 11, 2019, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/72 "2019-03-11T02:18:58Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > [Here’s a chart](https://i0.wp.com/www.foodrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/French-Fries_V2.jpg?resize=700%2C1605) of all the styles of french fries. Om nom nom. This is interesting for personal reference, but it’s not really going to help you specify your desired fries in an actual restaurant. ---
**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 11, 2019, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/73 "2019-03-11T10:29:17Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > [Here’s a chart](https://i0.wp.com/www.foodrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/French-Fries_V2.jpg?resize=700%2C1605) of all the styles of french fries. Om nom nom. I’ve never seen a potato tornado in the wild, but boy would I like to. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/74 "2019-03-11T10:35:38Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve never seen a potato tornado in the wild, but boy would I like to. I’ve had them a couple of times, they are as good as they look. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/75 "2019-03-11T19:14:06Z")
> [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](#): > > I’ve had them a couple of times, they are as good as they look. I want to try a cheese potato-tornado. ---
**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 11, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/76 "2019-03-11T19:19:21Z")
Looking at that chart, I’ll note that “smileys” (the last entry on their list) are typically _not_ sliced-and-fried potatoes. The biggest manufacturer of those is [McCain, with their “Smiles” product](http://www.mccainpotatoes.com/products/smiles), and they’re actually mashed potatoes with a crispy exterior. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/77 "2019-03-11T19:27:15Z")
They’re called JoJos where I live, but that may be a midwestern peculiarity. Also calling them potato wedges is common here. I had never heard of steak fries, perhaps they need a seasoning for that. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/78 "2019-03-11T19:40:27Z")
I don’t know if you’re just asking for edification, or you’re planning on a trip to the USA in the near future, but be aware it is vanishingly unlikely that asking for steak fries will work unless that’s something the restaurant already serves. So don’t jump right to the insult tip because the kitchen only makes regular fries. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/79 "2019-03-11T19:45:30Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > [Here’s a chart](https://i0.wp.com/www.foodrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/French-Fries_V2.jpg?resize=700%2C1605) of all the styles of french fries. Om nom nom. I’m pretty sure this is a BINGO card. I want to play. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/80 "2019-03-11T19:46:27Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > So don’t jump right to the insult tip because the kitchen only makes regular fries. I literally almost spit out my chips (crisps) when I read this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791.md?page=5)