Good french fries are hard to find. And if you’re an American, they can be far away too. Like Western Europe far away. Now that’s not to say that awesome pommes frites, fritten or friet cannot be found here in the States, and we do have our share of duck fat-fried potatoes populating our landscape, but when it comes it fast and easy french fry action, we are stuck with fast-food (and no, McDonald’s fries are not awesome).
Belgium has three official languages (Dutch, French, and German) and with that trifecta of speech it should come as no surprise that fried potatoes are a big deal in that part of the world. So much so that they have French Fry Vending Machines.
Above is shown a French Fry Vending Machine in action in Chaussee de Gand Steenweg op Gent in Brussels, Belgium. Ninety seconds to fries. Only a few bucks. No squeaky voiced teen pretending to watch the fry basket. And yes, they are served with mayo (or ketchup).
