Why do we make and eat fries? Because they make us happy. Why do fries make us happy? Because they do.
Science need not corroborate this claim. The simplest reason is often the best reason—just ask Occam and his razor. In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle propagated the philosophy that happiness is the ultimate purpose of human existence and thus, if something makes you happy while not being excessive or fleeting, it’s worth pursuing.
As long as you don’t overindulge, fries can walk beside you on the path to happiness. I can assure you of that. I have 30 years of experience.
Junk philosophy aside, science does kind of corroborate the “fries make you happy” claim. Nostalgia is a powerful sentiment.
A study conducted at the University of Illinois found that, “comfort foods may be consumed to positively pique emotions, to relieve negative psychological effects, or to increase positive feelings.” To make you happy in other words.
Comfort food also evokes patriotism, which is linked to happiness. Chinese philosopher Lin Yutang said it best: “What is patriotism but the love of the good things we ate in our childhood?”
Potatoes make you happy. A large chunk of the population suffers from sugar sensitivity, which can cause mood swings and depression.
Dr. Kathleen DesMaisons, in her book Potatoes Not Prozac, calls potatoes, “an antidepressant in a brown package,” and she recommends taking a skin-on potato, or even skin-on oven fries, before night-night time (I have kids) to raise levels of serotonin, the monoamine neurotransmitter that promotes wellbeing and happiness. Toss some salt (which lowers stress hormones and raises the hormone linked to love) on those oven fries, and you’ll be even happier.
Excerpt from Fries! An Illustrated Guide to the World’s Favorite Food by Blake Lingle, published by Princeton Architectural Press (2016)
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Where To Go For The Best Fries
Oh, come on. Admit it! If you are a fry lover, you no doubt have had your fair share of McDonald’s fries. And you loved them. Well, we can’t have a list of great french fries without mentioning McDonald’s. (We’ll get to the fancy, special ones next but let’s face it, whose mouth doesn’t water at the sight of McDonald’s fries?)
McDonald’s sells more than a third of all fries sold in restaurants. With over 36,000 locations worldwide in 118 countries and territories, McDonald’s serves over 68 million customers a day. And that means a lot of fries.
McDonald’s french fries are one of the most iconic items on the menu.
The fries are made with North American-grown, premium potatoes—including Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, Blazer Russet, Ivory Russet, Umatilla Russet and Shepody.
Once suppliers harvest the potatoes, they are partially fried and flash frozen. Once they arrive at the restaurant, they are cooked in a Canola oil blend and flavorings and served crispy and hot. McDonald’s french fries have zero grams of trans fat per labeled serving.
Where else can you find delicious fries around the country? Check out these places to get your fry fix:
Aquitaine burger and fries
Aquitaine
569 Tremont Street, Boston, MA
Au Cheval Fries with Egg. Photo: Kari Skaflen
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL
