The Great Fry Debate

Lately, I’ve noticed an awful trend in the restaurant industry. Many restaurants have begun to opt for coated frozen French fries instead of cutting their own onsite and making hand-cut fries. There are several practical reasons, despite some consumers’ preference for traditional uncoated fries:

Convenience and Efficiency

Coated frozen fries offer significant advantages in terms of kitchen operations:

• Timesaving: They eliminate the need for labor-intensive preparation steps like peeling, cutting, and blanching potatoes.
• Consistency: Frozen fries provide uniform shape, size, and quality, ensuring a predictable outcome with every batch.
• Extended hold time: The coating helps fries stay crispy longer, reducing waste and improving efficiency during busy periods.

Delivery and Takeout Performance

With the rise of food delivery and takeout services, coated fries have become increasingly popular:

• Moisture resistance: The coating helps fries maintain crispiness during transit, preventing them from becoming soggy in closed containers.
• Heat retention: Coated fries stay hot longer, which is crucial for delivery orders.

Cost-effectiveness

While the initial cost may be higher, coated frozen fries can be more economical in the long run:

• Reduced labor costs: Less prep work means lower labor expenses.
• Fewer servings per case: Premium frozen fries often yield more servings per case than cheaper alternatives, potentially offsetting the higher upfront cost.
• Lower oil consumption: Quality frozen fries may absorb less oil during frying, reducing overall oil costs.

Quality and Taste

Contrary to the perception of being “crappy,” many coated frozen fries are designed to enhance the eating experience:

• Crispiness: The coating provides an extra crispy texture that many customers enjoy.
• Flavor enhancement: Some coatings are formulated to improve taste and seasoning adherence. However, most fall short of this.
• Consistency: Factory processing ensures a more uniform product compared to hand-cut fries.

Adaptability to Menu Trends

Coated fries are versatile and can be easily incorporated into various menu items:

• Poutine and loaded fries: The coating helps the fries hold up better under toppings.
• Sandwich additions: Some restaurants use coated fries in sandwiches or wraps.

While some consumers may prefer traditional uncoated fries, the operational benefits and evolving consumer preferences have led many restaurants to embrace coated frozen fries as a practical option while leaving their customers unsatisfied. On the other hand while many restaurants opt for frozen French fries due to convenience and consistency, some establishments still prefer to use fresh potatoes for their fries. Here are some reasons why:

Quality and Taste

Most chefs believe that fresh-cut fries can offer a superior taste and texture when prepared properly. Fresh potatoes allow for:

• Customization of cut size and shape
• Control over seasoning and flavoring
• A more “homemade” or artisanal appeal

Menu Differentiation

Using fresh-cut fries can be a way for restaurants to stand out from competitors:

• It can be marketed as a premium or signature item
• It aligns with “farm-to-table” or locally sourced ingredient trends
• It may appeal to customers seeking less processed foods

Specific Culinary Techniques

Certain cooking methods or recipes may benefit from using fresh potatoes:

• Double-frying techniques for extra crispiness
• Specialized cuts like steak fries or potato wedges
• Integration into other dishes beyond standard fries

Cost Considerations

In many cases, using fresh potatoes might be more cost-effective:

• Lower ingredient costs in areas with abundant local potato supplies
• Reduced storage needs compared to frozen products
• Ability to use potatoes for multiple menu items (i.e. baked potatoes, scalloped potatoes, home fries, hash browns, etc…)

Kitchen Flexibility

Fresh potatoes offer versatility in the kitchen:

• They can be used for various dishes beyond fries
• Allow for on-the-spot menu changes or specials
• Enable chefs to showcase their culinary skills

While fresh potatoes might require just slightly more labor and preparation time, some restaurants view this as an investment in quality and distinctiveness. Tell us which you prefer: frozen or hand-cut fries.