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.

«Después de tres años viviendo aquí, el Día de las Papas Fritas sigue siendo uno de mis favoritos», comenta Natkin mientras paseamos por la Grand Place, el corazón histórico de nuestra ciudad adoptiva. «Es cuando realmente se siente el orgullo nacional por algo tan aparentemente sencillo como unas papas fritas», le respondo mientras observamos a turistas y locales disfrutando juntos de este manjar.

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.

«Después de tantas visitas, los dueños ya nos reconocen y saben exactamente cómo nos gustan nuestras frites», cuenta Natkin con orgullo. Lo que hace especial a Maison Antoine es no solo la perfección de sus papas – doradas y crujientes por fuera, pero tiernas por dentro – sino también su impresionante variedad de más de 20 salsas diferentes.

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.

«Lo que pocos turistas saben es que las papas de Fritland son mejores después de la medianoche», revelo como si compartiera un secreto de estado. «Es cuando la fritura está en su punto perfecto».

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 es el lugar donde llevamos a nuestros amigos extranjeros cuando quieren probar las papas fritas «como Dios manda».

Lo que los guías turísticos no te dirán es que aquí debes pedir el «mitraillette» (ametralladora): un sándwich con baguette, carne, papas fritas y salsa que es el verdadero manjar de los locales, especialmente después de una noche de fiesta.

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.

«Lo que hace especiales las papas de Bompa es su corte más grueso», explica Natkin, que después de tanto tiempo se ha vuelto una verdadera conocedora. «El contraste entre lo crujiente del exterior y lo suave del interior es simplemente perfecto».

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. El arte del «brol»: Los belgas tienen una palabra para la mezcla caótica pero deliciosa: «brol». Pide un «brol de salsas» en cualquier friterie para obtener una combinación de las salsas del día al gusto del 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.

«Lo más fascinante es cómo las papas fritas trascienden las barreras sociales», reflexiona Natkin. «En la fila de Maison Antoine puedes encontrar desde funcionarios de la Unión Europea en traje hasta estudiantes, todos esperando por el mismo manjar».

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.

«Es curioso cómo algo que parecía tan trivial cuando éramos turistas se ha convertido en parte esencial de nuestra vida», comenta Natkin mientras terminamos nuestras frites en Maison Antoine, como hacemos cada viernes.

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!

Somos Eduardo y Natkin, creadores de «Europa en Pareja», un blog de viajes escrito desde nuestro hogar en Bruselas, donde compartimos nuestras aventuras recorriendo Europa y nuestras experiencias como expatriados enamorados de la cultura belga.