master-cooks | The First Fast Food French Fries Didn't Come From McDonald's

French fries, a beloved staple of fast food cuisine, did not originate at McDonald's, despite the chain's significant influence on their global popularity. The history of French fries traces back to much earlier roots in Europe. It is widely believed that the concept of frying potatoes originated in Belgium in the late 1600s. Belgian villagers, faced with frozen rivers that made fishing difficult, turned to frying potatoes cut into fish-like shapes as a substitute. This culinary tradition spread across the region and was eventually embraced in France, where they were popularized as "pommes frites." French fries crossed the Atlantic with European immigrants and began to appear in American cuisine by the late 19th century. They gained prominence in the United States during World War I when American soldiers encountered them in France and returned home with an appetite for the crispy treat. Although McDonald's, founded in 1940, is often associated with the widespread popularity of French fries, it was not the first to introduce them. The chain's innovative fast-food model and consistent quality helped cement French fries as a quintessential American fast-food item, but their origins and initial popularity were a result of centuries of European culinary evolution.

War rationing led to a fast food staple

During World War II, the federal government implemented a national rationing program for essential resources needed for the war effort, such as meat, sugar, coffee, and butter. This rationing significantly impacted fast food establishments, including White Castle. Facing a shortage of hamburger meat, the company turned to offering egg sandwiches, chili, and grilled cheese. Fortunately, vegetables remained accessible, prompting White Castle to introduce coleslaw and French fries to their menu in a bid to diversify their offerings. When the war and rationing concluded, coleslaw was phased out, but French fries remained popular as a side dish for hamburgers, leading to a lasting trend.

Brothers Richard "Dick" and Maurice "Mac" McDonald initially served potato chips alongside their burgers at their San Bernardino, California restaurant, but transitioned to French fries in 1949, just a year after launching their hamburger stand. It was their fries that captivated Ray Kroc, the visionary who propelled McDonald's to extraordinary success, with over 41,000 locations worldwide. Kroc became enamored with the McDonald brothers' fries and, after acquiring the franchise rights, dramatically increased French fry production with relentless enthusiasm. While McDonald's fries are cherished by many today, it was White Castle that pioneered the concept.

The First Fast Food French Fries Didn't Come From McDonald's

War rationing led to a fast food staple

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