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|
 Cheese fries served by aShake Shack outlet in New York City | |
| Alternative names | Cheesy chips, chips and cheese |
|---|---|
| Type | Fast food |
| Course | Side dish,snack |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Main ingredients | French fries,cheese |
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Cheese fries (or in the United Kingdomcheesy chips) is a dish consisting ofFrench fries covered in cheese, with the possible addition of various other toppings. Cheese fries are generally served as a lunch or dinner dish. They can be found in fast-food locations, diners, and grills mainly in English speaking countries.
The origin of the dish is not known. Cheese fries have been said to have grown in popularity in the United States after canned cheese products such asCheez Whiz were introduced in 1952.[1] Don A. Jenkins is said to have invented the chili cheese fry variation at the age of 16, inTomball, Texas. Another report claims that a young fry cook named Austin Ruse was the first to serve this dish while working atDairy Queen inSt. Charles, Missouri.[2][3][4]
Throughout the Southwest US,loaded fries are often covered in melted cheddar cheese, bacon bits, jalapeño slices, and chives, and served withranch dressing. Alternately, they are also served ascarne asada fries.[citation needed]
InPhiladelphia, pizza fries are topped with melted mozzarella and served with pizza sauce on the side, while "mega fries" are topped with cheddar (or sometimes Cheez Whiz) and mozzarella cheese and bacon, usually served with a side of ranch dressing.[citation needed]
InNew York City, Long Island, andNew Jersey, they are covered with melted American, mozzarella, or Swiss cheese.Disco fries have the addition ofbrown gravy.[5]
In other parts of the US,nacho cheese is often used, especially at snack stands.[citation needed]
Chili cheese fries are topped withchili con carne. The cheese is usually either American or cheddar. InCincinnati, Ohio, they use their ownCincinnati chili for their chili cheese fries at the local chili restaurants. In New Mexico, they useNew Mexico chile for their chili cheese fries, often adding chopped lettuce, tomato, and olives as garnish.[citation needed]
InPuerto Rico, they have gained some popularity on fast food trucks known as crazy fries (papas locas). Potatoes, yams, batata (a white sweet potato with purple skin),cassava fries ormofongo are coated with bacon, cheese with roasted pork, chicken, beef or all three, drizzled with ketchup and mayonnaise. Corn, chopped lettuce, cilantro, avocado, tomatoes, and bell peppers are often added as a garnish.
In Ireland, a variation called "taco fries" consists of fresh-cut fries covered in ground beef, tomato, peppers, onions, and various seasonings. This is covered in taco sauce and shredded cheddar.[6][7][8] Another staple of Irish fast food restaurants, both stand-alonechippers or chains such asSupermac's, is "Garlic Cheese Chips", which consists of chips covered ingarlic sauce and cheese, usually cheddar.[9][10][11]
InBulgaria, a common side dish offered in most restaurants consists of French fries, topped with grated or crumbledsirene.[citation needed]
In the Netherlands, a dish named 'kapsalon' is served as fast food. This consists of fries covered with cheese, salad, and shawarma or doner kebab. It is often consumed with large amounts ofgarlic sauce orchili sauce.[citation needed]
In the United Kingdom, cheesy chips are often served in pubs. Preparation includes the pouring ofcheddar sauce over chips or sprinkling cheddar over chips and then putting the dish under a grill. A popular version in pubs is loaded fries which are made with french fries served with nacho sauce, crispy onions, sour cream and bacon bits. A variation adds beef gravy orcurry sauce.[12] In some cases mozzarella cheese is used rather than cheddar, particularly in takeaway restaurants which sell pizza.
