Fry Meals are Hot

French fries have graduated from side dish to entree lately among the local food trucks. Why eat them on the side when you can have them as your whole meal?

"Fry meal" is a term I came up with to describe these fries as entrees. Start with a base of French fries and then top them with a meat and assorted toppings. A traditional example would be the classic Chili Fries.






The fry meal concept got hot amongst the trucks when Johnny Breedlove of the California Love Truck  introduced his Carnitas Fries. He starts with shoestring French fries which are topped with carnitas (obviously), guacamole, sour cream, and a chipotle honey slaw. I love these fries! So much so that I have a hard time ordering anything else off his truck if they are on the menu. And at this point, they've become so popular that I think he's now in a position that they have to be a constant, regular item.

I will tell you what makes Johnny's fries the best and perfect base for his fry meals - he salts and peppers them! It's the addition of pepper that gives them that extra taste edge. I rarely find a restaurant or truck that adds pepper to their fries. It makes such a big difference.

He's had such success with his Carnitas Fries that he's added more fry meals.



Cali Love Fries come with chicken, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and some cheddar cheese on top. These are his second most popular fry meal.


His Kim chi Fries come with pulled pork in a chipotle sauce, kim chi, caramelized red onions, cheddar cheese, and Sriracha sauce.


Then there's the ol' standard Chili Fries with chili, cheddar cheese,  and red onions. 


Others have created their own versions as well. Fuzion Eatz sometimes has Asada Fries - marinated steak, black beans, cheese, guacamole, and mango salsa. They are not a regular menu item, so they aren't always available.


Addison's Originals has the Pele: fries, cheese skirt, kahlua pork, sauce.

El Matador does California Fries with home fried potatoes (because he doesn't have a fryer), Mexican rice, choice of meat, pico de gallo, cheese, and crema.

photo by cowtowneats.com

The Broderick restaurant, by owners of the Wicked Wich truck, has Banh Mi Fries - slow roasted pulled pork, pickled vegetables, jalapeños & house made citrus caramel sauce. These were recently praised by CowtownEats.com. I'm looking forward to trying them as I love banh mi sandwiches.

So many to choose from to suit anyone's taste. Myself, I plan to try each and every one!



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