My first visit to Pommes Frites dates back almost 10 years. During a typical long weekend in the city, a friend took me there to experience the authentic Belgian fries, which are served in a paper cone along with your choice of sauces from a long and unhealthy (but oh so tasty) list.
The frite shoppe itself is tiny, with two back-to-back booths and a few stools. The reputation, on the other hand, is far larger. As you can see in the photo above, as tourists pose for a photo, it has become a popular destination for foodies the world over.
On my most recent visit to New York City, I made it a point to return, seeing as how it is only a short walk from my brother’s East Village apartment. Jodi, the Legal Nomad, had brought to my attention the fact that this Belgian frite shop also offered a popular Canadian dish called poutine.
Take fries, slather them in chicken gravy, throw in some chunks of Canadian cured cheddar cheese, and voila – POUTINE!
My curiosity was piqued, so on a cold Winter’s morning, I walked over to Pommes Frites and ordered a heaping, hot cup of poutine before the clock had even struck noon. Fries with gravy I’d eaten before, but the cheese curd sounded like an odd addition to the mix, at least for this American.
The whole combination turned out to be quite tasty, and very filling. It was my lunch that day, and I didn’t even finish the small serving I ordered. It’s the perfect comfort food, and at only $5, a great (artery-clogging) alternative to the typical NYC hot dogs and pizza.
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Pommes Frites – 123 2nd Avenue, New York City
Perhaps I shall try the poutine, but it will be difficult not to just go for the mayo. Great place, I used to go there with greater frequency when I lived in the village, but now its back on my radar…
stay adventurous,
Craig
Glad I was convincing enough for you to try it out! Poutine is definitely a huge favorite of mine, and the best ones layer up the fries and cheese in the bowl, so that adding the hot gravy atop the whole thing melts down the cheese in goopy delicious layers. If ever you head to Montreal, it's worth trying the poutine at La Banquise – hands down the best in the city. Jodi
Glad I was convincing enough for you to try it out! Poutine is definitely a huge favorite of mine, and the best ones layer up the fries and cheese in the bowl, so that adding the hot gravy atop the whole thing melts down the cheese in goopy delicious layers. If ever you head to Montreal, it's worth trying the poutine at La Banquise – hands down the best in the city. Jodi
I'll have to go back in 2010 and get some fries with the various mayos/sauces too. I was reading on the Pommes Frites website that patrons are allowed limitless tastings.
A good friend recently bought me a great map/guide for NYC that came with special code to access an online database at http://www.alacartemaps.com – ideal for creating your own romantic itinerary