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America's Melting Pot
Boardwalk Fries hero image coming soon
1920s-present - Ocean City boardwalk concessionaires, especially J. T. Thrasher
Boardwalk fries are beach food stripped to essentials: fresh-cut potatoes, hot oil, salt, and vinegar. Ocean City made the style famous through Thrasher fries, opened in 1929, where ketchup is famously beside the point.
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Difficulty
Moderate
Prep time
25 minutes plus soaking
Cook time
20 minutes
Total time
45 minutes plus soaking
Servings
4 servings
Region
Mid-Atlantic boardwalks
Era introduced
1920s-present
Introduced by
Ocean City boardwalk concessionaires, especially J. T. Thrasher
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Boardwalk fries are a Mid-Atlantic ritual as much as a recipe. J. T. Thrasher opened his Ocean City fry stand in 1929 and built a reputation on freshly cooked fries served with salt and vinegar rather than ketchup. The style spread through boardwalk memory: hot paper cups, ocean air, and vinegar sharp enough to cut through the oil. This home version uses soaked russet potatoes and a two-stage fry for a crisp exterior.
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