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FryGate? About Those Frozen French Fries at SquareBurger...

Lamb Weston's Fries

Lamb Weston's FriesPhoto: Lamb Weston

With all of the attention that's been focused on the burger at SquareBurger, the fancy beef (Indian Ridge), the potato roll (Martin's), the mustard (French's), the fries have slipped under the radar. Chef Shane Cash told Grub Street they were "Private Reserve," but neglected to mention they were frozen. We spoke with Simon Powles, director of Starr's catering entity and he filled us in.

"What, did you think they were hand cut?" Powles laughed. Maybe?

"We're the Lamb Weston brand's private reserve label quarter-inch fry. It's the same fry we use at Jones."

Okay, we could get our foodie panties in a bunch, but what's the big deal? Even French Laundry chef Thomas Keller uses frozen fries at some of his restaurants. Why be ashamed? This is Philly after all, the town that incorporates Cheez Whiz into its signature dish and is proud of it.

It also means that they're expecting enough volume to make hand cut fries an impossibility.

By: Kirsten Henri Filed Under: squareburger, french fries
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6 Comments - Add yours

  • Just gave squareburger a whirl- gotta say I had high hopes and they were D-A-S-H-E-D. First off… a good ten minute wait for a milkshake, with burger in hand? and only 2 other customers at the whole place?? yikes. Asked for NO ketchup and NO onions. Needless to say after waiting for 10 minutes just to get the accompanying beverage, I wasn’t about to wait all over again after discovering my burger slathered in ketchup… gross No vanilla ice cream for the cake shake, so they subbed chocolate which was cool except….. THEY FORGOT THE CAKE! lame. $9 for a half wrong burger and a completely FAILed milkshake. Still, I choked that jawn down quick as hell. I will give you a second chance, squareburger. But fail me again and it’s CURTAINS.

    By 0 for 2 on 07/15/2009 at 4:20 PM

  • oh, just go try them. they're awesome. the burger rocks, but the Cake Shake is the scene stealer -- SOOO worth the calories.

    By cassie on 07/15/2009 at 9:36 AM

  • the fries at burgersquare may be frozen, but they tasted pretty good today.

    By lisa on 07/14/2009 at 2:06 PM

  • Agreed. There's no excuse for Jones' subpar (at best) fries. Stephen, I know it's a lot to ask, but get yourself a potato and start slicing.

    By Russ on 07/14/2009 at 1:11 PM

  • I don't really care, as long as they're good. That said, In-n-Out on the west coast has somehow managed to use fresh, hand-cut spuds while dealing with the onslaught of customers they face day in and day out.

    By Victor on 07/14/2009 at 12:43 PM

  • Jones uses frozen fries? That's the real scandal. I understand the burger shack thing, but I wonder what else if frozen at Starr's higher end joints?

    By BarryG on 07/14/2009 at 12:23 PM

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