A Laval twist on Belgian fries

Belgian fries and poutine are locked in a battle over their origins! Their success is such that everyone is trying to claim them as their own. Fortunately, to enjoy them, you don’t need to know where their story began. Only how you eat them matters! Alone or with friends, with or without sauce, here are a few ways to enjoy your favorite fries in what is meant to be a simple tribute to the potato.

From Namur to Laval

The history of Belgian fries dates back several centuries, somewhere in the Namur region. Legend has it that the locals, saddened by the fact that they couldn’t eat fried fish in the winter, came up with an ingenious solution by frying potatoes shaped like little fish. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, thanks to a double-frying technique, Belgian fries have won over the hearts of people around the world, all the way to Laval. That’s why today, they appear on the menus of many restaurants on the island (and elsewhere, though they’re never as good as in Laval). Take your pick or try them all!

French fries and sauce

“Tell me how you eat your Belgian fries, and I’ll tell you who you are!” Indeed, there are the purists, who like them with just a little salt; the generous types, who prefer them with barbecue sauce; and the indecisive foodies who love to enjoy them with a little ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, or aioli. Or even with all of these options at once! It’s even said that some people whose boldness defies imagination enjoy them with onion, fig, or strawberry jam. So, who are you?

French fries on the go

Traditionally served in a newspaper cone, Belgian fries are the perfect snack to enjoy on the go. Whether they’re served in a brown paper bag, a tray, or something else, why not grab them to go and enjoy them in one of Laval’s charming spots? At the Nature Centre, facing the pond, under a tree in Bernard-Landry, on Berge aux Quatre-Vents or while strolling through the pedestrian streets in Centropolis, there’s no shortage of places to go. And even fewer opportunities to sink your teeth into some fries.

An agreement that goes without saying

While Belgium is famous for its fries, it’s also renowned for its beer. Whether it’s a light lager, an amber ale, or a dark beer with complex flavors, beer pairs perfectly with fries. The next time you’re craving fries, stop by the Insulaires microbrewery and pick up some beers brewed on-site, whose flavors and quality will leave your taste buds in shock (a good kind of shock). If by any chance you’re less into hops and more into grapes, why not pair your Belgian fries with a local wine ? No one said you can’t eat potatoes and drink the nectar of the gods!