Las papas fritas belgas: los 5 mejores lugares para disfrutarlas en Bruselas

Si hay algo que define la gastronomía belga, además de su exquisito chocolate y su incomparable cerveza, son sus mundialmente famosas papas fritas belgas o “frites”. Tan importante es este manjar para los belgas que incluso tiene su propio día de celebración. Como residentes de Bruselas y amantes de la buena comida, hemos tenido el privilegio de explorar cada rincón de esta maravillosa ciudad y convertirnos en verdaderos expertos en una de sus mayores tradiciones: las auténticas papas fritas belgas.

Our Experience as a Local in the Day of the Chips

Live in Brussels has allowed us to experience first-hand how the city transforms during the National Day of the Potato Chips. The streets are impregnated with the irresistible aroma of frying and friteries (put French fries) are dressed with the colors of the belgian flag: black, yellow, and red.

“After three years of living here, the Day of the Chips is still one of my favorites,” says Natkin as we walk along the Grand Place, the historic heart of our adoptive city. “It is when you really feel the national pride by something as seemingly simple as some potatoes fries”, I answer while we look to local people and tourists enjoying together this delicacy.

As residents, we have tested almost all the friteries in the city. After countless tastings and heated discussions with our friends in belgium, we've compiled our definitive guide to the 5 best places to eat fries in Brussels.

The 5 Best Places to Eat Fries in Brussels (According to Locals)

1. Maison Antoine (Place Jourdan)

We live just a few minutes from Place Jourdan, so that Maison Antoine it has become our place of reference. Established in 1948, this post is a real institution in Brussels and, although it is always full of people, we know the best times to avoid long lines.

“After many visits, the owners already recognize us and know exactly how we like our frites”, account Natkin with pride. What makes it special to Maison Antoine is not only the perfection of their potatoes – golden brown and crispy on the outside, but tender on the inside – but also its impressive variety of over 20 different sauces.

A council of true premises (and the knower of bars Natkin ): the surrounding bars like Le Cafe du Tram or Tavernier allow you to take your fries to be enjoyed with a belgian beer. Is part of an agreement not writing that makes the experience even more authentic.

2. Fritland (near the Grand Place)

Although it is located in a resort area, Fritland it is one of those places that both locals and visitors appreciated for the same. As residents, often we come here after a night of Thursday in the centre, when Brussels is brought to life with the after work snacks.

“What few tourists know is that the potatoes Fritland are best after midnight”, revealed as if to share a secret of state. “It is when the frying is perfect.”

The owner explained to us in detail his technique of double-frying: first at 160°C for cooking the potato and then at 190°C, to give it that crunchy exterior. After years, by testing them, I can assure you that they are the most consistent across the city.

3. Frit’ Flagey (Place Flagey)

The neighborhood of Flagey is one of our favorites for you to spend on Sundays, especially when the market transforms the plaza into a bustle of activity. Frit’ Flagey it is the place where we get our foreign friends when they want to try the fries, “as God commands”.

What the tourist guides don't tell you is that here you have to ask for the “mitraillette” (machine gun): a sandwich with baguette, meat, fries, and sauce that is the true delicacy of the premises, especially after a night of partying.

4. Fritkot Bompa (Atomium)

Even though we live in Brussels, we are still marveling at the Atomium. Our Sunday afternoons often include a walk in the park Laeken, ending in Fritkot Bompa to enjoy some fries with a view to this iconic monument.

“What makes them special potatoes Bompa is your cut thicker,” explains Natkin, that after so much time has become a true connoisseur. “The contrast between the crispy outside and the soft inside is just perfect”.

A secret that we have discovered with time: if you come during the week, around 3 in the afternoon, you'll avoid the long lines of tourists and you'll be able to chat with Bompa in person, who sometimes shares fascinating stories about the history of the neighborhood.

5. Chez Fernand (Rue de Tabora)

This is our best kept secret, and we will be sure to share it with our readers. Tucked away in a little street near the historic centre, Chez Fernand is where we go when we want to remember why we fell in love with Brussels.

What distinguishes Chez Fernand it is their dedication to tradition. Unlike many modern settlements, continues to use fat ox for frying their potatoes, as they did formerly. This gives them a rich flavor and distinctive that takes us back to Brussels for decades. In addition, their homemade tartar sauce, whose recipe has been passed down from generation to generation, is a national treasure not recognized.

Tips for residents to enjoy to the maximum the belgian fries

After years of living in Brussels and testing chips on almost a weekly basis, we want to share some tips to enjoy the most of this delicacy as real brussels':

1. The moment matter: The best fries are achieved when the oil or fat are at their peak. Usually, this happens during peak hours (lunch and dinner) when there is increased turnover of frying. Prevents the moments right after you open, when the oil is still cold.

2. The renewal oil: The locals know what days each fritkot change your oil. For example, the Maison Antoine does Tuesday morning, by which the popes of Tuesday afternoon, they taste especially clean.

3. Experiments with sauces: While mayonnaise is the option to traditional brussels ' experience with combinations. Our favorite: half andalouse, half samurai, creating a perfect balance between sweet, spicy and creamy.

4. The art of “brol”: The belgians have a word for chaotic mixing, but delicious: “brol”. Ask for a “brol sauces” in any friterie to obtain a combination of the sauces of the day to the taste of the chef.

5. The trick of the paper: Never eat directly from the bag, but that you have to fully open the paper cone to allow the steam to escape, thus avoiding the potatoes go limp.

The Culture of the Potato Chips View from Within

Live in Brussels has allowed us to understand that the fries are much more than fast food; they are an element of social cohesion. We have witnessed a heated debate on what is the best friterie, family discussions about the best cutting technique, and we've even attended unofficial competitions between neighbourhoods.

“What's most fascinating is how the fries transcend social barriers,” says Natkin. “In the row of Maison Antoine you can find from officials of the European Union in costume to students, all waiting for the same delicacy”.

We have also learned that each neighborhood of Brussels defends his friterie local fervently, almost religious. Loyalty to your fritkot local is part of your identity as a brussels-based, and change of allegiance without a good reason may be the reason of distrust between friends.

A Tradition that is Part of Our Daily Life

After years of living in this wonderful city, the fries have been fully integrated in our routine. They are our comfort on rainy days (which are not few in Brussels), our celebration after professional accomplishments, and our dinner improvised when we arrived home late.

“It's funny how something that seemed so trivial when we were tourists has become an essential part of our life,” he says Natkin while we finish our frites Maison Antoine, as we do every Friday.

And is that, as we have found them to be residents, the best experiences are often found in the traditions of the day, especially when they are prepared with passion, knowledge and a touch of magic to belgian.

If you visit Brussels, don't miss these five places. And if you see us in the row, do not hesitate to ask for more local recommendations!

Have you tried the authentic belgian fries? Do you have a favorite place that we have not mentioned? ¡Tell us about your experience in the comments!

We are Eduardo and Natkin, creators of “Europe in a Couple”, a travel blog written from our home in Brussels, where we share our adventures traveling through Europe and our experiences as expats love of belgian culture.