Italian Delite Subs

Italian Delite Submarine Sandwiches
971 Front St.
Novato, CA

Review:

The closest sandwich shop to where I live, a mere block away at most. They make decent sub sandwiches, including an okay west-coast approximation of a cheesesteak. It doesn't really pretend to be a Philly version, which is good, and so is alright for what it is. Unfortunately, the fries could be better. I like the chop cut with skin on, but they're always too brown, I presume because they use the same oil too long. They're also usually pretty greasy, but occasionally you're get a pristine batch. When that happens, they're much better. It's really too bad. They have an opportunity to make very unique frites, but instead ruin the effort by the way they cook them.


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Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box
7135 Redwood Blvd.
Novato, CA

Review:

Fast food fries are almost a separate animal in the frites pantheon, requiring that they be rated only amongst themselves. As fast food fries, Jack in the Box's have improved of late. The skin on gives them more flavor, even if they tend to be fairly greasy. But generally speaking, they're better than most fast food frites.


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S & S Restaurant and Deli

S & S Restaurant and Deli
Inman Square
Cambridge St.
Boston, MA

Review:

I spent Sunday walking around Cambridge visiting toy stores looking to pick up some presents for my kids, when next to one happened to be the S&S Restaurant, which had been there since 1919. Being a sucker for a diner, I plopped down at the bar for some chow, including, naturally, frites. Nicely crispy, a little oily but the seasoning worked well. Decent overall.

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Green Dragon Boston

Green Dragon
11 Marshall St.
Boston, MA

Review:

Many revolutionaries met at the Green Dragon, which first opened in 1654, and the place has quite a history. Here's how their website sums it up:

The Green Dragon Tavern has a long and rich history, playing an important part in the freedom of Boston during the War of Independence. Established in 1654 The Green Dragon was a favorite haunt of Paul Revere (Whom we consider a close Neighbor) and John Hancock (who’s brother lived next door!). Indeed, as has been ratified by Daniel Webster – the famous historian, that it was in the Green Dragon that the plans for the invasion of Lexington and Concorde were overheard thus starting the famous ride of Paul Revere.

Today, sadly, much of the interior has been modernized and appears tacky. Presumably more for historical and tourist reasons than political, the frites at the Green Dragon are still called "Freedom Fries." Their flavor, happily, was pretty decent though nothing to write home about. Mostly pretty crispy, they were fairly average.

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Bell In Hand

Bell In Hand
55 Union St.
Boston, MA

Reviews:

For a supposedly "historic" site, the Bell in Hand is surprisingly modern inside. The frites that came with the Sam Adams Burger (bacon, Swiss cheese and barbecue sauce) were battered with a light, tasty mix. Fairly crisp and good potato flavor. All in all, surprisingly good, despite being a little dry.


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Roadhouse Craft Beer & BBQ

Roadhouse Craft Beer & BBQ
1700 Beacon St.
Brookline, MA

Review:

I wanted to like these more, the place overall showed so much promise. The pulled pork sandwich I had with the frites was quite tasty. Unfortunately, despite good flavor, they were a little mealy and chewy, if not occasionally soggy.

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Deep Ellum Boston

Deep Ellum
477 Cambridge St.
Allston, MA

Review:

Although Deep Ellum's menu has four different presentations of fries, which they call "Fries 4 Ways," but I'm a purist and so ordered them just plain. The four ways, in case you're interested are Parmesean, Chili & Pepper Jack, Malt Vinegar & Fleur de Sel, and Truffled Gorgonzola. Nice and crispy, with a slightly sweet ketchup that wasn't Heinz. Pretty good flavor and very few soggy ones with a lot of what I call "goodjums," which are the small, very crispy bits and pieces that many places don't put in the bowl. But I love Goodjums (BTW, that's the phonetic spelling. I don't actually know how it's really spelled, even though I made the word up many years ago) and usually will give bonus points when they're included.

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World Trade Center Boston

World Trade Center Boston
One Seaport Lane
Boston, MA

Review:

Part of the lunch offered during the Craft Brewers Conference, along with some generally tasty sliders. Unfortunately, the fries were only so-so, at best.

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Atlantic Beer Garden

Atlantic Beer Garden
145 Seaport Blvd.
Boston, MA

Review:

By the hotel, it's selling point during a rainstorm, I went there for a late meal with Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo, from Russian River Brewing, along with Bradley Lantham and Danny Williams, from the Brewers Association. I ordered the chicken and pear Panini. The fries were pretty standard, nothing special. A few were a little soggy, but most were fairly crispy and had decent, if unremarkable flavor.

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Cambridge Brewing Company

Cambridge Brewing
1 Kendall Square, Bldg 100
Cambridge, MA

Review:

I've known the head brewer at CBC for a few years, and I think Will and I have judged together at the GABF. And while I know he makes great beers, I was worried about his frites, not that he was directly responsible for them. The menu holds few clues to the frites, but happily they were perfectly crispy and very tasty. I'd guess a vegetable oil base and a lightly seasoned salt.


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Seaport Hotel

Seaport Hotel
One Seaport Lane
Boston, MA

Review:

Room service was never so delicious. The menu lists them as House Steak Fries. With sea salt, nice and crispy. The trick with steak fries, because they're so thick, is to get them crispy on the outside but still hot and soft inside. Hard to do, but these were pretty well-done, especially when you consider a hotel restaurant did these for room service.

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Original Tommy's

Original Tommy's
2575 W. Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

Review:

Despite being in business since 1946, I'd never heard of Original Tommy's until Stone Brewing founder Greg Koch took me there. They're most known for their outrageous chili hamburgers, though they have great old-time burger joint fries, too. Most things at Tommy's are slathered in chili, though I prefer my frites plain. They definitely tasted like they were made with freshly sliced potatoes. They had very good, rich potato flavor and were cooked to perfection, not underdone as so often happens at busy burger joints.

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