Best Frozen French Fries (moved from L.A. board)

[mrshankly]

Having recently read an article that revealed that Thomas Keller uses frozen french fries from a food supplier (Sysco Imperial French Fries to be exact), I was wondering if anyone knew a place in the Los Angeles area to get these French fries... or at least a high quality, frozen French fry that is worthy of praise and comparable to a traditionally cut version from a reputable restaurant. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

UPDATE: adding link to article...

http://www.seriouseats.com/2007/03/yo...

[BiscuitBoy]

Sysco fries in keller's kitchen? Really? Who woulda thought!

[mrbigshotno.1]

Excuse my humble suggestion. Get Albertson's frozen crinkle cut fries, let them thaw and come to room temp. (called "slacking" in the biz) fry in peanut oil at 385*, salt with commercial fry salt. Que Bueno!

[mrshankly]

Thanks for the tip! Does this also work with other potato products like tater tots? Or baking instead of frying?

[paulj]

I'm not an expert on cooking these, but I think there is a danger of tots falling apart if they thaw before baking. At least they will be more fragile.

[mrbigshotno.1]

It won't make any difference if you bake them. Tots could fall apart, i don't really care for them.

[paulj]

Do you want something that you can just heat in the oven, or will you fry them? There are 3 steps to preparing french fries:
- peal and cut
- fry at low temperature (cooking the potato)
- fry at high temperature (giving the crisp outside)

Since potatoes freeze well, there shouldn't be any loss of quality if they are frozen after cutting. I don't know if it works to freeze them between the fryings or not.

[piccola]

I'm pretty sure commercial fries are frozen after the first frying -- though I'd be happy if someone in the food industry could confirm this.

[A5 KOBE]

Yes, they are par-fried. So essentially, they only need to be crisped up.

[Burger Boy]

Usually after you peel and cut you put in water to remove some starch.

[A5 KOBE]

Keller uses Private Reserve made by Lamb Weston.

[mrshankly]

Thanks KOBE!!!!

[ilikefood]

Lamb Weston's retail/grocery brand name is Inland Valley but the parent company, ConAgra, doesn't list Inland Valley on their "where to buy" web page. I have no idea if the retail version is comparable to the wholesale, let alone "Private Reserve".

A Hamburger Today* recently posted a a taste test** between a few types of frozen fries, comparing Ore-Ida and Kroger (Ralph's/Food4Less in LA) brands. Kroger regular fries won out - same quality and taste except Ore-Ida had a a "weird after taste" @, 1/2 the price of Ore-Ida.

* http://aht.seriouseats.com/
** http://burgerdoctor.com/frozen-french...

[A5 KOBE]

Private Reserve is a different product than Inland Valley, which is their retail brand.

You can buy LW Private Reserve by the case.

http://www.foodservicedirect.com/inde...

[New Trial]

Surprisingly, the wonderful, garlicky french fries at JAR are cooked from frozen. Not sure whose supplying them.

-----
Jar Restaurant
8225 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048

[monku]

Interesting CH readers always diss Sysco and Keller is using their product.
http://www.sysco.com/products/product...

Only ways you're going to find out who uses their fries is from Sysco and I don't think they'll tell you or someone at an LA restaurant ktichen comes forward.
Good luck.

[Burger Boy]

Sysco buys from the same people that you buy in the store. Sometimes they have access to stuff you can not get. I wanted to buy some Paul Pruhdome andouille and tasso and other than buying direct and paying a ton for shipping Sysco and a couple of other provision companies are the only way to get it.

-----
Sysco
, Diamond Bar, CA 91765

[monku]

No need to tell me, tell the OP.
I worked in the restaurant industry for 10 years.

[Burger Boy]

I was agreeing with your statement. Now if I could only get someone with a sysco account to get me some of Paul Pruhdomes sausage!

[kpaumer]

Burger Boy, if you find someone with an account, in addition to the sausage, try the Oscar Mayer, 1/4 lb big beef hotdog, it is AWESOME, big, thick and juicy! You cannot find them in grocery stores they are only sold to restaurants. I am spoiled, no other hotdog comes close to their meaty flavor. Only problem is trying to find a bun that fits!

[Burger Boy]

I just found your bun, it is at Frisco's Baking Co. http://www.yelp.com/biz/frisco-baking... I bought some 10 inch rolls but I believe they have some 8 inchers, make sure you get the soft ones not the sourdough. Room for lots of fixins! PS Someone makes a 1/2lber, they sell the doga WIllie's Chill Grill on Victory near Western or Alameda.

[kpaumer]

Thanks! But don't tease me. I live in the most "white-bread" area in Central Penn. There is NOT one decent bakery in a 20 mile radius. and Grocery store bakeries just don't cut it. I drive to Phila Reading Terminal Market for bread sometimes. So those pictures "frisco-baking" really looks awesome. Wow! a 1/2lber hotdog! Now that I'd like to see. Thanks for thinking of me!

[mdpilam]

I was very impressed with the Garlic Fries at Trader Joe's.

[Rizza]

I am hoping to learn something new from this post. But I too am a fan of TJ's garlic fries. Especially at 11:30pm after too much wine.

[whatsfordinner]

Does Keller then re-fry them?