Are Fries Essential for a Hot Dog Stand?

Are French fries an essential part of a hot dog stands menu? I say no! Why fill up on fries when you can leave room for more dogs?! If you must have a side dish, a small bag of chips should suffice. I'm sure some of you will disagree.

Blackies does not have frys and it was one reason I did not go there very often.

quote:

Originally posted by Saint Matt

Are French fries an essential part of a hot dog stands menu? I say no! Why fill up on fries when you can leave room for more dogs?! If you must have a side dish, a small bag of chips should suffice. I'm sure some of you will disagree.

I don't think they are essential if the dogs are good, but I do think the two go really well together.

Most reputable Chicago hot dog stands are known for their fries. Some throw in a handful of fries as part of the hot dog package(Gene & Judes). Some are known specifically for their fries(Hot Doug's serves fries prepared in duck fat twice a week). Our customers never ask for chips and we only serve dogs and drinks from our cart. The profit margin on chips is thin, while the profit margin on fries is very good. In Chicago, chips are to be eaten with a hot dog at a picnic, not at a hot dog stand.

CSD
Born in Chicago
Raised in Chicago
Moved to Wisconsin
Selling Vienna Beef hot dogs in Wisconsin
Only eating chips with a hot dog at a picnic

IMHO all french fries should be fried in duck fat. Yum! But, yes to fries w/hot dogs. Joey D's here in Minneapolis has some great cheesy fries to go with their Chicago-style dogs.

If you want my business, you better have fries on the menu. I don't usually eat the entire order but it is as essential as the bun.

If one buys a hot dog (especially one that has a lot of stuff on it) from a hot dog stand, how does one eat the hot dog and still manage to carry an order of fries?

Since you HAVE to deep fry the dogs anyway, why not make fries?

quote:

Originally posted by aharste

IMHO all french fries should be fried in duck fat. Yum! But, yes to fries w/hot dogs. Joey D's here in Minneapolis has some great cheesy fries to go with their Chicago-style dogs.

i agree--as an eater of said fries---however---from the perpective of a hot dog stand owner-----Duck fat----12oz---$17!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Saint Matt

Are French fries an essential part of a hot dog stands menu? I say no! Why fill up on fries when you can leave room for more dogs?! If you must have a side dish, a small bag of chips should suffice. I'm sure some of you will disagree.

French Fries [u[/YES YES YES

Chips NO NO NO NO

A Hotdog without fries is like Cornbread without butter.

quote:

Originally posted by garryd451

quote:

Originally posted by Saint Matt

Are French fries an essential part of a hot dog stands menu? I say no! Why fill up on fries when you can leave room for more dogs?! If you must have a side dish, a small bag of chips should suffice. I'm sure some of you will disagree.

French Fries YES YES YES

Chips NO NO NO NO

---

I only eat at hot dog stands that serve french fries, no chips for me, I can get chips at any gas station, convience store, grocery store, et., etc., and etc.!!!!!

Maybe it's a regional thing, but I think fries are a big part of the Chicago hot dog stand experience. If the fries aren't good, chances are that I'm not going back there.

As mentioned by some other posters, chips go with hot dogs at a cookout, not at a stand. However, I think people from other parts of the country might have different experiences than the Chicagoans.

John

P.S. I really have to try the fries in duck fat.

Being born and raised in Chicago I grew up eating Dogs that were always served with a handful of fries. The only time I eat a Hot Dog without fries is on the Golf course, but that is a totally different Dog. To me its kind of like Deep Dish Pizza, I love it but I don't really consider it pizza because I eat it with a knife and fork and I grew up on thin crust. Does this make sense to anyone other than me?

ABSOLUTELY!! The GREAT thing about Nathan's is not only are their dogs great-but the FRIES are some of the classic fries of all time!

I normally just grab some chili dogs and go... I'd probably buy a small order of fries if they where good, but then also a bag of chips if I wanted.. BUT, if they where fresh cut, double fried, something more then what they serve frozen out out of a brown bag would be a plus...

quote:

Originally posted by chezkatie

If one buys a hot dog (especially one that has a lot of stuff on it) from a hot dog stand, how does one eat the hot dog and still manage to carry an order of fries?

It's the same method I use to eat a Butterburger and fries from Culvers. If I'm on the go or driving, I eat the fries from the big Culvers bag. If I'm driving and the wife is sitting shotgun, I get hand fed fries.

I really don't like fries with my dog. Potato salad or something like that, sure, but fries + dog usually = epic heartburn for me. Too much grease!

If your an owner of a stand chips are more convenient, but not as profittable. Fries are a huge hastle. Deep fryers mean higher insurance, hotter kitchens and more chances of injuries. I prefer chips and the stand I work at a lot of customers ask for chips, but the owner refuses to carry them..he's a fry only guy. If you have a good quality product they will come regardless of your side dishes. If you want to be the best hot dog stand be the best HOT DOG stand and not the ok hot dog stand that serves fries.

Actually--i prefer fries with my burgers and chips with my dogs. And fries are a major pain to produce on a small stand or cart.

I have never had the habit of eating fries with hot dogs. I will eat really good fries but the hot dog is the most important thing.

In the famous words of John Belushi:

"Cheeps, no fries !!!"

Seriously, if I'm getting the dog at a stand, I can't carry fries or chips along with the dog and my drink. Also, if I'm cheating on my diet by eating the saturated fats in a hot dog, I will not add additional fats with either chips or fries.

I'd rather have a really great hot dog and bun, along with good toppings.

The only French fries I ever really enjoyed were the ones served at Jimmies at Savin Rock in Connecticut. I used to get an order of the crinkle cut fries with hot dogs all the time. Of course, I'd also get a couple of lobster rolls and fried clams at the same time.

The a handful of fries is just right.

I'd favor a joint that does that.

REGARDING FRIES:

I go for lunch often at a place that make their own fries ... and they suck.

I asked and they hand cut them, soak them in cold water (presumably dry them) and fry them. They always come out doughey(?) ... I've asked for the well done ... still they lack any sparkle ...

Yesterday, harking back to something I think I've heard, I asked them to fry them twice ... better, but still underdone.

What can they be doing wrong?

quote:

Originally posted by wheregreggeats.com

The a handful of fries is just right.

I'd favor a joint that does that.

REGARDING FRIES:

I go for lunch often at a place that make their own fries ... and they suck.

I asked and they hand cut them, soak them in cold water (presumably dry them) and fry them. They always come out doughey(?) ... I've asked for the well done ... still they lack any sparkle ...

Yesterday, harking back to something I think I've heard, I asked them to fry them twice ... better, but still underdone.

What can they be doing wrong?

They nmay be using the wrong variety of potato!---some baking verieties make horrible fries--others--esp the Russet Burbnk are great---also the Kennebec from Maine is great for frys.

Hotdog Stands (stationary buildings) and trucks should definately have a choice of fries OR chips, carts seldom have fries because of space constraints

No fries? People may expect you to have fries, but they are not essential. Just have a knockout side dish available. I will take a great mac or potato salad over mediocre fries any day.

soak them in cold water


^^^^I've heard of doing that to potatoes to get the potassium levels in them down, but if I'm gonna eat me some fries, I'm probably not very concerned about the diet that day. Weird.

quote:

Originally posted by stricken_detective

soak them in cold water


^^^^I've heard of doing that to potatoes to get the potassium levels in them down, but if I'm gonna eat me some fries, I'm probably not very concerned about the diet that day. Weird.

Soaking them help reduce the starch levels... (That and keeps them from turning brown/black)...

I don't care if they have fries i'm there for the dog. Just have some chips like doritos and i'm set.