# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/81 "2019-03-11T19:52:54Z")
> [@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. Those are just fries. Definitely NOT wedges. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/82 "2019-03-11T20:04:38Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > the temptation known as “fry sauce.” I was introduced to fry sauce last July, on a trip to central Washington. The waitress asked if I wanted some with my fries, and when my face went blank the locals I was with said “YES!” They were so, so right. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/83 "2019-03-11T20:09:40Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > I was introduced to fry sauce last July, on a trip to central Washington. The waitress asked if I wanted some with my fries, and when my face went blank the locals I was with said “YES!” They were so, so right. 🙂 And it actually varies by location too! The fry sauce I get here in Oregon tastes different depending on which ‘fast food’ restaurant I go to. We have a local place here called Nancy Joe’s that makes the best, imo. ---
**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 11, 2019, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/84 "2019-03-11T20:47:38Z")
Okay, I’ll ask the obvious question: What the hell is “fry sauce”? :dubious: 😕 ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/85 "2019-03-11T20:50:05Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Okay, I’ll ask the obvious question: What the hell is “fry sauce”? :dubious: 😕 It’s a mix of…something…? I dunno. Maybe mayo and ketchup? And some spices…I just know it’s usually orange and delicious. ---
**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 11, 2019, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/86 "2019-03-11T21:00:39Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Okay, I’ll ask the obvious question: What the hell is “fry sauce”? :dubious: 😕 I agree with **AngelSoft**. Typically a mix of ketchup and mayo, but it can be sexed up with some powdered spices and/or Worcestershire and the like, as well. But ketchup and mayo are the base. ---
**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, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/87 "2019-03-11T21:03:50Z")
Around the only thing I can stand that has mayo in it is the fry sauce-ish take at a certain Columbian-Cuban restaurant, which is loaded with so much garlic that it overpowers the insipidness of the mayo. ---
**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 11, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/88 "2019-03-11T21:05:09Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Around the only thing I can stand that has mayo in it is the fry sauce-ish take at a certain Columbian-Cuban restaurant, which is loaded with so much garlic that it overpowers the insipidness of the mayo. Similarly, I’m not a fan of mayo on burgers, but I will accept it in “hamburger sauce” (which typically starts with a combo of mayo, ketchup, and relish.) ---
**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 11, 2019, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/89 "2019-03-11T21:22:05Z")
Sounds like 1000 Islands salad dressing to me. :o ---
**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 11, 2019, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/90 "2019-03-11T21:34:58Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Sounds like 1000 Islands salad dressing to me. :o Yes, many versions of hamburger sauce can be thought of as a variation of Thousand Island. And fry sauce can be thought of similarly as a “Russian dressing” variant. (Though I’m sure there are versions of both that stray from the most common variations I’ve seen.) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/91 "2019-03-11T21:36:46Z")
[Fry Sauce](https://acburger.com/menu/fry-sauce.html) is basically 1000 Island without the pickle relish. It’s a Utah thing (along with Southern Idaho). ---
**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 11, 2019, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/92 "2019-03-11T21:37:13Z")
Throw some coleslaw on the burger and then put that Thousand Island type sauce on top and you have one of my favorite burger variations. ---
**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 11, 2019, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/93 "2019-03-11T21:44:40Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > [Fry Sauce](https://acburger.com/menu/fry-sauce.html) is basically 1000 Island without the pickle relish. It’s a Utah thing (along with Southern Idaho). Intereting. I had no idea. I’ve definitely seen it around here, too. Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, with locations throughout the Midwest and beyond (based out of Wichita, KS) has it, for example. It does look like it’s most associated with Salt Lake City, but it is seen beyond there. ---
**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, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/94 "2019-03-11T21:47:23Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Those are just fries. Definitely NOT wedges. Indeed, the fries in the Eamonn’s picture are a very common configuration for fries in the U.S. McDonald’s-style super-thin fries are not the most common style. ---
**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 11, 2019, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/95 "2019-03-11T22:29:00Z")
I will have you know that despite this thread I had mashed potato at lunch. 🙂 ---
**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 11, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/96 "2019-03-11T22:35:49Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > I will have you know that despite this thread I had mashed potato at lunch. 🙂 Bangers and mash with mushy peas? :o ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/97 "2019-03-11T22:49:18Z")
My [local](https://www.staterbros.com/history/) grocery store has their own store brand of [fry sauce](https://www.instacart.com/stater-bros/products/3151154-stater-bros-fry-sauce-12-fl-oz). I attribute that to the enormous number of Mormons in these parts, jonesing for a taste of Salt Lake. 😉 ---
**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 11, 2019, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/98 "2019-03-11T23:19:04Z")
> [@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. They don’t have animal-style fries.☹ ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/99 "2019-03-11T23:21:08Z")
That’s because it’s a French Fry chart, not a “Things You Have To Do To Make In-N-Out Fries Edible” chart. 😉 ---
**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, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791/100 "2019-03-11T23:22:58Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve never seen a potato tornado in the wild, but boy would I like to. It looks like its design may have been influenced by Archimedes’ Screw, or vice versa. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-british-chips-not-fries-called-in-america/830791.md?page=6)