French Fries: Recent Developments

Throughout the nineteenth century, potatoes were fried in a variety of shapes and sizes. During the 1870s some types of fried potatoes were standardized into particular shapes and sizes. Those that were round and extremely thin became potato chips. Those that were long, rectangular, and approximately one-fourth of an inch thick became “french fried potatoes,” a name that had been shortened to “french fries” by 1918.

By the early twentieth century french fries were served in cafes, diners, and roadside eateries. Although franchised fast food establishments had been around since the 1920s, french fries did not become an important part of their menu until World War II, when rationed meat became scarce and fast food hamburger stands sought alternatives. When the war ended, french fries were well established on the fast food menu along with hot dogs, hamburgers, and sodas.