The origin of French fries remains controversial with several countries claiming to have invented this famous fried potato.
In Belgium, an article by Christian Souris, published in the weekly magazine Pourquoi pas? in 1985 claims that the chip was probably invented in around 1680, based on a manuscript from 1781, according to which the fried potato was born on the banks of the Meuse, in the Namur region, in the late 17th century.
Whatever its exact origin, in Belgium French fries are a true institution; as evidenced by the presence of a fries shop or "fritkot" in every Belgian town and village.
