French fries are thin strips of deep-fried potato topped with a choice of condiments. Perfect as a snack or a side dish, French fries have long been a staple of fast-food (see entry under 1920s—Food and Drink in volume 2) restaurants like McDonald's (see entry under 1940s—Food and Drink in volume 3).

Most experts trace the origin of the French fry to eighteenth-century Belgium, not France. Wherever they were first made, however, fries quickly became a taste sensation all over Europe. At first, they were served only in restaurants, but street vendors in cities like Paris and Brussels soon began selling them as well. In modern times, French fries are still a popular street snack in Europe. They are known as "patat" in Holland, "chips" in England, and "pommes frites" in France. Throughout the world, such condiments as ketchup, vinegar, and mayonnaise are used to enhance...