429793 Thu Aug 09 21:10:32 -0700 2007 37 2 Los Angeles Area 0 2831570 I must admit, after having grown up in the Bay Area in the 50s and 60s, and living in the DC area for most of the 80s, I was not very familiar with french fries being served with any kind of topping (other than poutine, which I'd eaten in Canada.) When I moved to this area in 1987, I was introduced to the ubiquity of chili cheese fries, and the less common wet fries (fries topped with brown gravy.) I've often ordered the chili cheese fries as a lunch entrée at The Hat, only to be unable to finish them (and I'm a big eater.) Anyway, I went to a place called "Flames Express" at Santa Anita and Lower Azusa in El Monte a while back, and they had a unique (to me) variation on the traditional chili cheese fries-- a concoction they called a "DUI" (I'm not sure what it's meant to stand for in this context): chili cheese fries topped with pastrami, then topped again with carne asada. A "small" was more the enough for lunch. Has anyone run across this version of chili cheese fries, or other unusual fries toppings? Thu Aug 09 21:10:32 -0700 2007 117307 JohnS43 1 2831575 I love chile cheese fries; those sound decadent...yum. I remember getting 'avocado' fries at Top's in Alhambra. I liked them, but the 'guacamole' wasn't really authentic; a very runny green sauce. Thu Aug 09 21:14:40 -0700 2007 2831570 64009 LANative 2 2831602 Tom Boy's on Manhattan Beach Blvd in Redondo will make you Chili Cheese Rings! That's RIGHT boyz and girlz. Onion rings, chili and cheez. Oh, it don't GET much better than that. Thu Aug 09 21:33:00 -0700 2007 2831575 110328 Steve2 in LA 3 2833604 The Hat does it too. Fri Aug 10 12:21:48 -0700 2007 2831602 72668 phant0omx 1 2831623 How about Poutine at Canadian Cafe? http://www.canadian-cafe.com/custom.html Canadian Cafe 125 East Colorado Blvd. Monrovia, CA 91016 626-303-2303 Thu Aug 09 21:45:45 -0700 2007 2831570 11914 monku 2 2835112 Poutine scares me. It's like the precursor to the KFC bowl. Fri Aug 10 20:46:31 -0700 2007 2831623 11201 Diana 3 2835333 I had the Poutine there served on top of a 1/2 burger which was then topped with two eggs up (Canadian style "Horse Shoes"). The gravy smothered everything. Thay was when Carlos was doing the cooking. It was great and I did not have another meal that whole day. Fri Aug 10 23:24:14 -0700 2007 2835112 90917 JeetJet 1 2831639 Connal's in Pasadena will make you a "Taco Fries" ... basically a taco on a bed of french fries. Thu Aug 09 21:54:07 -0700 2007 2831570 11583 ipsedixit 1 2831651 Oh-man are you talk’n PIG OUT Food. I saw that DUI on the menu at Flames X Press but have not tried it. They have a great Charbroiled Double Cheese burger with a House-made Thousand island that is special. The chary/grassy flavor of the burger combined with the cheese and that Thousand island is simply a dream burger. I may try a Chili cheese Fries with Pastrami on top at Flames X-Press but I would pass on their asada. I say that because I tried their asada taco and it was all gristle and fat. I tossed it I also tried the fried chicken and breakfast burrito and likewise, I was unhappy. However, they make that very serious Double cheese burger and chili fries and they are worth a drive to have. Flames X Press 11003 Lower Azusa Rd (Corner of Santa Anita) El Monte, CA 91731 (626) 350-7500 Another place for some serious pig out eating is Jim's Famous 1/4 lb. Charbroiled Burgers. Sometimes when I am going to watch the game at home I get a bag of Fritos Scoops at the market and then go the Jim’s for a bowl of their chili with cheese and onions – life is good! That chili is fine alone but if you want something more then do the chili fries. Check this out. Rather than getting a burger (I get the burgers at Flames – right?) I get a “Special Quesadilla.” Now, they usually make those with either chicken or asada, but they will adjust it to what you want. I get a special order Special Quesadilla made with Pastrami and Avocado – OMG! Now add that to your chili cheese fries and it becomes a multi-sensory spiritual experience. Jim's Famous 1/4 lb. Charbroiled Burgers 915 W. Duarte Rd. (Duarte Road and Sixth Street) Monrovia, CA 91016 (626) 447-5993 http://www.sangabrielvalleymenus.com/jimsfamouscharbroiledburgers/index.htm Thu Aug 09 22:03:21 -0700 2007 2831570 90917 JeetJet 1 2831653 Rick's Drive-in (if it's still open) has what I like to think of as chili cheese fries in a burrito: "The Spuderito." I thought that it was not only a brilliant idea but that it was really good. http://myculinaryadventures.blogspot.com Thu Aug 09 22:03:41 -0700 2007 2831570 42600 Bon Vivant 1 2833242 Down in OC, at any of the 24 hr Alberto's type chains (Alerto's, Alejandro's, Albertacos, etc) you can order a carne asada fries. Wonderful carne asada atop crispy crinkle cut fries, along with gaucamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese. It's wonderfully delicious. They'll actually put any meat you want on it (carnitas, chicken, chorizo, etc) but the carne asada works well with fries. I usually ask for a half order which is $5 and enough food for two, a full order will set you back $8. Fri Aug 10 10:55:26 -0700 2007 2831570 31764 kingkong5 2 2835250 If you like Alberto's carne asada fries, you'll like carne asada fries at Carnitas Michaocan at the Lincoln Heights location... they use the saucy nacho kinda cheese instead of that shredded kind that gets cold quickly and bunch up together. Also, not to far down on Figueroa St. is Cypress Burgers. It's the best chili cheese fries I've ever had!!! Fri Aug 10 22:08:14 -0700 2007 2833242 90817 vibrant 1 2833364 There's the animal-style fries at In-N-Out. Thousand Island, cheese & grilled onions on top of their fries. It's kinda gross after a few bites. Fri Aug 10 11:23:36 -0700 2007 2831570 15848 ozzygee 2 2833397 In-N-Out fries are pretty gross in any form; apparently they are made from recycled cardboard. It's a shame, because their burgers are so dang good. Fri Aug 10 11:30:56 -0700 2007 2833364 76480 ozhead 3 2833485 That's a myth. The cardboard isn't recycled. Fri Aug 10 11:51:44 -0700 2007 2833397 15848 ozzygee 3 2833504 So, you don't like fries that are made from a fresh potato? You prefer the frozen and processed stuff? I love their fries b/c they actually taste like potatoes. So who is your source in regards to cardboard? Just step inside and you can watch them making the fries, FRESH! I don't like overcooked fries, but many do prefer them crunchier. Fri Aug 10 11:54:05 -0700 2007 2833397 77080 justagthing 4 2833952 I'm perfectly happy to concede that In-N-Out's fries are made out of fresh potatoes. Assuming that that's true, the problem must be in HOW they make fries out of those potatoes -- imparting that inimitable cardboard taste can't be easy. And it has nothing to do with the fries being over- or undercooked; non-crunchy or too-crunchy fries can taste just fine, so long as they don't taste like, yannow, cardboard. Fri Aug 10 13:46:30 -0700 2007 2833504 76480 ozhead 5 2834042 No. The problem IS that they use fresh potatoes. Fri Aug 10 14:04:04 -0700 2007 2833952 11583 ipsedixit 6 2835110 the problem is, fresh potatoes usually make lousy fries. It's odd. Fri Aug 10 20:45:02 -0700 2007 2834042 11201 Diana 7 2835258 More for us that do... Chow! Fri Aug 10 22:18:17 -0700 2007 2835110 77080 justagthing 7 2835527 26 Beach makes great fresh fries! In & Out should really soak the fries to get the startch out, But they are still darn good! Sat Aug 11 05:21:37 -0700 2007 2835110 11279 Burger Boy 7 2835693 They don't make lousy fries, they make fries that don't look, taste of feel like the fries you grew up with. Ever have pastries or candies from 3rd world countries. YUCK, but people who grew up with them go bonkers. Here's fries 101. When McDonalds (didn't invent it but assisted in pushing them) went to Frozen fries (they use to make those same yucky fresh fries) what happened is they had to cook those puppies longer to fully cook the frozen center which made the outside crispy, other restaurants followed suit and that's what you are use to. If you force yourself to eat them more then a few times you'll discover the nuances of fresh fries. As for the other post on the cardboard taste. I've never eaten cardboard, so I can't compare. And, why exactly would you do that? Sat Aug 11 07:33:51 -0700 2007 2835110 63897 LuigiOrtega 8 2836094 Fresh, frozen or refrigerated fries should be soaked in water to remove most of the excess starch, blanched (cooked in oil for a few minutes) then fried in hot oil. I don't believe that In-N-Out blanches their fries before cooking that's why they seem limp and tasteless. The unique flavor of McDonalds fries were because they were fried in beef tallow, after an uproar they now use pure vegetable oil with a synthetic flavor additive. Again at In-N-Out ask for them well done and you'll get better tasting fries. Sat Aug 11 11:09:36 -0700 2007 2835693 11914 monku 9 2836172 Some fast food places do the fries twice. One prior to freezing and once after. It creates a distinct flavor and texture, so much that some fancier places that cook with fresh taters do the two fry method, skipping the freezing. Sat Aug 11 11:45:06 -0700 2007 2836094 11201 Diana 5 2834401 its pure fresh potatos. you can actually see them put the potato's through the cutter and directly into the fryer. Fri Aug 10 15:43:58 -0700 2007 2833952 10704 wilafur 3 2834346 Ask for well done fries at In-N-Out....they're much better that way. Fri Aug 10 15:29:09 -0700 2007 2833397 11914 monku 1 2833629 DUI Driving Under The influence..... I Guess Most Greasy Foods are consumed after drinking and they taste OH SO GOOD! Lol Helps you sober up..... Fri Aug 10 12:25:59 -0700 2007 2831570 61476 Skunk2Racer 1 2833644 Best Burger on Western Between Jefferson & Exposition You can ask for ANYTHING on your fries, The usual chili cheese & pastrami, or gucamole, bacon, Anything! carne asada, pollo, chorizo & eggs make your own combo Fri Aug 10 12:29:15 -0700 2007 2831570 61476 Skunk2Racer 1 2834241 The Hat also does chili cheese pastrami fries. Years ago I enjoyed the Carne Asada fries at a taqueria in Corona, which has since closed. They were crispy fries topped with a ton of chopped carne asada, a flavorful thick guacamole, onions, diced tomato, and cilantro. Delicioso! Fri Aug 10 14:55:37 -0700 2007 2831570 63648 la vida dulce 2 2834405 You can get carne asada fries witha ll of the fixings at MolcaSalsa in Brea...it might be in Whittier. It is on the corner of Imperial Highway and Harbor. mmmm.....and it's open 24hours! Fri Aug 10 15:44:35 -0700 2007 2834241 112049 koshie 3 2836453 yum! Sat Aug 11 14:24:58 -0700 2007 2834405 63648 la vida dulce 1 2834437 At Hoagies and Wings they have fries topped with cheesesteak filling. (Steak, cheese, onions and peppers) It was pretty good and not what I was expecting when I ordered it. I think they called them steak fries. Fri Aug 10 15:51:18 -0700 2007 2831570 52342 alliebear 1 2834491 In high school we used to fill a bag of fritos with chili from the lunch truck! Classy and gassy... Fri Aug 10 16:14:53 -0700 2007 2831570 14123 ciaobella 2 2834533 Called a Frito Pie in New Mexico and there abouts. Fri Aug 10 16:27:57 -0700 2007 2834491 11914 monku 3 2835362 Frito pie is the best. Fri Aug 10 23:55:54 -0700 2007 2834533 15848 ozzygee 3 2835422 When Frito Lay first began making the now popular Chili Cheese Flavored Corn Chips there was a story printed on the back of the bag explaining what inspired the new product. I recall the story mentioned that a treat known by several names, “Pepper Bellys,” “Frito Pie,” and “Chili Fritos,” was popular in the Southwest. The treat was chili poured over a opened bag of Frito Corn Chips and then topped with cheese. In the 70's and 80's I bought "Peper Bellys" (A menu item) at the Orange Julius in Temple City. You can still find real “Pepper Bellys” at some Little League snack shops in the SGV. “Hey batter batter batter batter batter batter SWING! ..” Read about Pepper Bellys – second paragraph http://www.pepperbellys.com/prjan1_18_02.htm The phrase "Pepper Belly" also has a negative history. I always thought Frito Lay might have removed the story about what inspired Chili Cheese Corn Chips to avoid controversy or accusations. IMO it is sad when the negative oversteps the positive. For example, one of my childhood heros, the story of Little Black Sambo, is not read as often now as it once ways, mainly because the name "Sambo" began being used in a bad way. Another win for the racist because a positive story for people of color is not as popular because of PC. As for me, give me my hero Little Black Sambo, my pancakes at the original location of "Sambo's" in Santa Barbara and my "Pepper Bellys" at the ball game. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pepper+belly Sat Aug 11 01:59:01 -0700 2007 2834533 90917 JeetJet 4 2836010 I use to love to eat at Sambo's! Also, in S. CA, high school football games in the late 70's and 80's were all about chili fritos, yum! Sat Aug 11 10:22:14 -0700 2007 2835422 77080 justagthing 1 2835111 The Soul Fries at Chili my Soul are really good. Fri Aug 10 20:45:39 -0700 2007 2831570 11201 Diana