This was shocking to me. He-Who has been blogging and in one of his recent posts I found out I was not his muse! How is that possible? He-Who is definitely my muse. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have anything to write about.
He-Who has many talents and is knowledgable about many things. Perhaps the thing he knows the most about though, is junk food. His specialties would be pizza, hamburgers and French fries. It has been his life’s mission to find the perfect fresh cut fries. In keeping with his quest he has become familiar with every French fry truck aka “Chip Wagon” near and far.
When we first met we lived in Niagara Falls. You can head in any direction in Niagara Falls and find a French fry truck. There is one in every corner of the city and a few in between. The most historic FF truck in Niagara is “Jakes Chip Wagon”. That truck was around long before He-Who even thought of leaving his frigid Winnipeg home and moving to Ontario. Located Downtown on St. Clair Ave. near Queen Street it actually has been around since 1945. My first first French fry as a child came from Jakes as it did for most people born and raised in the Niagara area. Just the smell of salt, vinegar and oil can evoke vivid childhood memories.
There are others. Potato Heads on Lundy’s Lane, Michelle’s Fries (not related) at the corner of Morrison St. and Dorchester Road.
Some have no specific name just a permanent location.
They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are seasonal and some are year round. The point is if He-Who was on an errand he was never far from a Chip Wagon.
Then we moved to Oakville. There was not a FF truck to be found. He-Who would spend countless hours searching for these wee homes for fresh cut fries, but to no avail. He was distraught. I casually mentioned one evening after a long day at work that one of my co-workers thought there might be one near the Ford Plant. After dinner I put on my PJs and got comfy in front of the TV. Things started to get restless in He-Who’s corner.
He-Who: Let’s go for a drive.
Me: No, I’m exhausted and I’m in my PJs.
He-Who: Come on! I’m sick and tired of sitting around on our butts watching TV. All we ever do is watch TV.
Me: Except of course for the 1o – 12 hours I work every day and then I get to come home and cook and clean.
He-Who: (ok…a whole string of expletive deleteds but all directed at me wanting to watch TV). You don’t have to change. You’ll just be in the car.
Me: (sulking…get up and get into the car)
We drove around for quite awhile until I realized he was working his way over toward the Ford plant in a really round about way.
Me: You son of a (actually a really nice woman)! You’re looking for that Chip Wagon! Just take me to the grocery store and we’ll get some potatoes and oil and I will make you your freaking fresh cuts!
He-Who: YOU CAN DO THAT?!
Me: Yes, I can do that.
He looked like a kid on Christmas morning. I knew I had done something really, really bad but it was too late to turn back. Now he knew. The next day I came home from work and there on my countertop was a brand new deep frier, a sack of potatoes, a ginormous container of oil and a stack of papers. The papers were all the research he had done on how to make fresh cut fries that he had found on the internet. It got so that I would come home from work and smell the grease and I would know that he had made himself french fries for lunch. My theory was that he didn’t need them for supper then. Apparently I was wrong. When my nephew moved in for awhile that deep frier was going constantly, until the day I came home and found the two of them hovering over the counter looking horror struck like they had just lost their best friend. In a way they had. The deep frier had actually melted in on itself. It took me a very long time to clean up the mess and degrease our home. There would be no more deep frying in my home!
When we started considering moving to the Durham Region it didn’t take long for He-Who to make up his mind. We had discovered a plethora of Chip Wagons in the area and he was in heaven. Whatever direction we headed there was a FF truck to be found.
Yes, He-Who has earned quite the reputation for being the Official French Fry Expert. Recently I received a text …
We’re on our way to Peterborough. Where is the best place for fries in Port Perry?
I didn’t even have to hesitate…
Going east on 7A at the top of the hill there are lights at Island Rd. Turn left and then into the driveway of Island Fries.
Crap! We just passed it.
Continue on 7A about 5 minutes to Nestleton. There is one on the right hand side beside the General Store.
A few minutes later …
Thanks. They’re great!
I shook my head at the thought that this is the kind of information I can provide at the drop of a hat. Perhaps we should make up some kind of map and sell it. You know…kind of like the Hollywood maps of “Homes of the Movie Stars”. Ours could be the map of “The Best Chip Wagons” of Southern Ontario. Of course it would be constantly changing because our He-Who is fickle when it comes to his favourites. One day you are his muse and the next you are not!
He is the fry man for sure……reminds me of oliver twist…more please, sir.
More is never enough when it comes to FF and He-Who.
I have to admit, fresh cut french fries are my passion. And, of course, being a muse is right up there too.
This is hilarious, Michelle! Great blog! You guys should have a reality show, touring around North America for the best FF truck! I laughed so hard when I read this!
OMG, please don’t give him any ideas! I know I could have added his expertise in Winnipeg, Florida and Vegas but travelling around finding new ones would be like a dream come true to him. The only think better would be if we were traveling in a FF truck. 😉
The sad part is that every word is true!
Yes, Yes it is!
It sounds like you and He-Who have many adventures together. I liked this post Michelle! I like making my own French Fries, although Checker’s French Fries are the best! Great write up and cool pictures!
We do have our share of adventures. It would have had to of been a much bigger blog to get all the pictures in of all the Chip Wagons. Some of them get quite creative. Of course if He-Who sees this comment he will be of in search of “Checkers”.
Lol! Checkers is a fast food chain here in the USA. I’m not sure if Canada has them, but if they do, he’ll like them. They are seasoned very nicely!
First of all a Fry Truck is freaking brilliant. This was truly a sitcom episode. Dragging you out in your Pj’s to get a fry fix is classic in my book. I’ll assume you have added “short order fry cook” to your resume.
Love all the pictures of the different trucks!
Yes, most of my life is a like a sitcom. Not always a good sitcom but at least we don’t use canned laughter. My resume stands firm without “short order fry cook”. If I get desperate enough for a job I may have to consider it.
I know it is hard to believe but this is just a sampling of the FF trucks. They really do come in all shapes and sizes and we have probably been there.
Oh my Gosh .. this is too funny
Now. It is funny now. It wasn’t so funny when everything in the house was covered in grease. 😉
Ohhhh, they look so good. But I think just looking at those pictures sent me into cardiac arrest. What a way to go!
They do look good Elyse,
but they are evil. You can never eat just one and around here they are too easy to get.
I would be doomed. Except that with my GI problems, I NEVER eat out of a truck. So I guess I’d be safe.
If He-Who gets desperate does he ever want to go to a fish N’ chip restaurant if he can’t find a FF truck?. I remember a place on Portage Ave. near Polo Park I think it was called Hunt’s Fish & Chips and it was fabulous. Good fun story.
Oh, yes. He knows all the fish & chip joints and knows if they are fresh cut fries. That would be a whole other blog. By the way he is just telling me (with his mouth watering) he thinks that place is called Jim’s
I remember that place on Portage by Polo Park! He-Who used to take me there when I was a kid, and I distinctly remember being schooled on what makes a great meal of fish and chips!
Paul is truly the “Fry Meister” i have been with him on many occasions searching and finding that great delicacy.
Heheheh…pretty much anyone who has ever met the guy has been on French Fry run with him. It’s like an initiation. 😉
The best part of having your life’s mission be to find the perfect french fry truck is the mission itself.
DC is run amok with food trucks. You can find just about any type of food, but until I read this, I didn’t realize — I don’t think I’ve seen a french fry truck.
It’s funny. I was thinking about all the food trucks in New York and places like that. You hear about them quite often but I don’t recall anyone mentioning FF trucks.
Wait, wait, there are french fry trucks? God bless Canada.
Oh, yes, there are French Fry trucks. Many more than you see here. It must be a Canadian thing because everyone from your part of North America has mentioned food trucks but no French Fry trucks. If you are ever here we will give you the official Chip Wagon Tour.
We are so deprived here, not a french fry truck to be had, just a hot dog cart.
Muse or no muse, I’d follow that man anywhere, I like his sense of direction. 🙂
Toni
Yeah, It is hard not to follow him. Even when I am strong and say “no I’m not having any” he gets in the car with them and I can’t take the luscious smell. Before you know it I’m getting my own.
Why are they referred to as French? Why can’t they be Hungarian or Ukrainian Fries? Think I’ll be getting some fries … getting the craving! Did you make the map yet?
I really don’t know why they are called “French Fries”. You will have to ask the expert. There was some controversy awhile back and people in the US were calling them “Freedom Fries”. I think most just call them “Fresh Cut Fries” or just “Fries” now. If they were Ukrainian Fries they would be perogies ;-). No maps yet.
Where is the best FF truck in the Seattle area?… We have a saying in Norway; small kids – big pleasures. I don’t know if that is true for He-Who. What ever else can be said about this little story (which I enjoyed very much), you have a great collections of photographs of FF trucks. Maybe you should turn it into a book?
I don’t know about the Seattle area, Otto. It seems they aren’t as common in the US. There are a lot more FF Trucks that I didn’t get a picture of and I didn’t edit these ones in anyway so they are kind of harsh looking. Maybe if we do make up the map we could do a little “Guide To Fresh Cut Fries in Canada”. Thanks for stopping by.
Michelle it could have been beer…so smile & be happy !
Heheheh…you are right, Lyle, although I wouldn’t have had a problem if it was Scotch.
I’m hungry after reading this, Michelle. I want me some French fries. I can’t believe all the little FF houses. They’re so cute, too. I actually think your idea of the map or little book is an excellent one! Has it not been done?? Wow, what a great idea! Especially since you’re so knowledgeable about it, even if you don’t exactly want to be.
Believe me I understand about the power of talking about FF. Every time I read a response to He-Who we end up at a FF truck or Fish & Chip joint. Don’t get me wrong. I do enjoy my share of FF. I just never considered making it my life’s work.
The book is a fabulous idea though! Are you considering it?!
You’re really making crave some homemade shoestring fries, or the best thing on McDonald’s menu, whichever is easiest. Too bad it’s only 9:00 a.m. =)
OMG! You just reminded…He-Who loves shoestring fries. He will actually go to a Ruth Christ’s Steakhouse, not for the steak because he doesn’t care for steak, but for the shoestring fries! He usually orders two orders and takes one home.
Hmm.. I don’t think I’ve ever lived in an area that had chip wagons. I still manage to consume about a metric ton of french fries per week from that place with the golden arches, though.
🙂
Ah, the golden arches, a completely different experience. It is surprising to me how many I have heard from that don’t have Chip Wagons in their space. I guess we have been taking them for granted all these years. We might have to invest in one and do a tour of the US so you can all have a taste.
Is there anything better than a fried potato? How much fun did you have traveling gathering the evidence – I mean pictures!
We didn’t have to travel far. It is pretty much a regular occurrence to seek out a chip wagon for He-Who. Every once in awhile I would take a picture. Then one day I said look at all these pictures of FF trucks I have…the rest as they say is history. 😉
Oh, my gosh. These are what I call addictive. Simply addictive. I love the freshness of them, & the CRISPYness of them.
How quaint is that truck!
I really do think they should make a 12 step program for them, they are that addictive.
The different trucks are what started me taking the pictures. There is limited space and they pretty much have to all have the same equipment inside but how they make their truck stand out (or not really does fascinate me). Some are so plain and some are just adorable. I confess the “curb appeal” is what draws me in.
I don’t know how you manage, just reading about freshly cut, crisp and floury fries makes my mouth water. If it were me, it’d be death by French Fries for sure 🙂
I know. Even when I try to be strong and say “none for me”, I will be holding He-Who’s and when he isn’t looking I will sneak one. (Don’t tell him)
I’ve never met a French fry or potato, for that matter, that I didn’t like. 🙂
There have been a few undercooked or too greasy but for the most part it is hard to mess up potatoes.
There are far worse things to be than the keeper of the fry locations.
There’s a place in NYC I like (only been to a couple of times) – a french bistro that has a guy in the kitchen whos only job is to cut potatos and fry them.
Mmmm…
We will have to find out the name of that place from you because He-Who will want to head that way next time we’re in NYC. The first time I took him to NYC he spent days researching places to eat. One of his finds was Patsy’s Pizza in Spanish Harlem and to this day he swears it is the best pizza he has ever had.
Les Halles. They have two locations in the city, I think.
Haha this is so cute and a super tasty post. Love it!!
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
The map is a great idea, Michelle. But does He-Who know you refer to pizza as junk food?
It seems everyone wants a map. The problem with that is that sometimes the trucks move or just disappear so it would have to be a high tech changeable map. Sounds like a full time job. He-Who knows that I pretty much call everything he puts in his mouth junk food. You have to see it to believe it.
I am not sure we even have FF trucks here in Kelowna! We do have perogie trucks and smokie sausages trucks. A whole new ballgame!
Does He-Who know about the perogie trucks? He would walk out there!
A deeply moving post. I fried my eyes out laughing. 😀
At one point we had two fryers. One for chips & one for wings. I only made them during summer months, outside on the patio deck. The chicken & fries were seasoned with my Dry as Bone Devil Dust (BBQ Rub). This was for my son & his friends – teenage appetites. When the fryers became somewhat obsolete (modern technology) we got a new one. Then I did the chips in the fryer & the wings on the BBQ.
Now that my son is away getting “edjimicated”, the fryer seldom comes out at all.
Heheheheh…”fried my eyes out”…good one! You have me salivating for that BBQ Rub. The best place on the planet for wings is in Oakville and they had a dry barbecue rub that was #1 in my books. For some reason they can’t get it anymore. Broke my heart.
I will have to do another BBQ post. Haven’t done one in quite awhile. 🙂
A terrific story about a subject that is dear to our heart (burn?), I don’t think there was any mention of ketchup however, which has me a bit out of my comfort zone. All the info was great. Good to visit you blog again.
Thank you very much. You are right, there is no mention of ketchup. There are few things that He-Who does not put ketchup on. He loves ketchup on his fries…unless he uses vinegar, then it can go either way.
Thank you for the clarification on this important issue.
Coolest post I’ve read in some time!
Great work – both of you!
Thanks. I’ve been enjoying some of your posts today as well.
I think we should “hook” you up (no pun intended)(Ok, maybe a little pun intended) to guest on “Canadica”.
I think you have some great material for it. Here is my guest post over there, one I am sure you can relate to.
Awesome post! i really enjoyed reading that!
i’m trying to think if a specifically ‘chip wagon’ is a canadian thing. maybe we need to have you do an entire canadica post on the chip wagon… loool. we have more ‘food trucks’ i think. and in LA it’s all taco trucks, all the time. loool. great read. xoxox, sm
I was beginning to think it was a Canadian thing too. So many comments from the US were surprised that there was such a thing. New York City has some amazing food trucks but I don’t believe I have ever see one that was a Chip Wagon. Thanks for stopping by SM always nice to hear from you.
and always a pleasure to read you, mg. i bet we have a chip wagon or two around here, but we probably call it a fry van/ fry truck. looool. xoxo
bwwwaaahaaaaa, i absolutely KNEW we’d call it a ‘fry truck.’ for you and he-who, your next LA stop…http://www.eatfrysmith.com/p/about.html
That’s hysterical! We call them French Fry trucks too but you are the first to provide proof that there is one in the US. This may go to the top of He-Who’s list of why he wants to visit Sweet Mother.
looool. xo
Chips. Is there anything finer? 🙂
Potato chips.
He-Who likes the french fries, I like the potato chips.
We are both very, very bad. 😉
Oh, you had me at “french fry truck.” We don’t have those here, but I wish they did. I love french fries, and I really don’t discriminate when it comes to them: thick cut, waffle cut, shoestring, curly, regular potato, sweet potato… mmmm… french fries. 🙂 I can’t say I blame He-Who for wanting to try every chip wagon in the area… one of my bucket list items is to try every mac and cheese on the island. So far I’ve eaten my way through at least half of the restaurants that carry a mac and cheese, and in the process, I’ve nearly filled up my honorary “Fat Club” membership card from a local Fatburger chain, lol.
Oh my. He-Who is always trying to come up with a scheme that will allow us to move to Maui and his eyes lit up when I told him you had no French Fry trucks there. I can see the wheels turning as he works out a plan to be the Island French Fry Guy. He is also salivating wanting to find out more about the Fatburger chain.
I’m working on developing a Maui guide site. Just for you and He-Who, I will find a way to tie in a map or listing of food trucks on the island. They have recently become popular out here, but none that have french fries… yet! 😉
Yet! 😉
The guide sounds interesting. I would love to have a look when you are ready.
I admire his dedication (to his fries, if not his muse). I would think the idea of them would start to sound kind of awful after a while.
You would think so but alas, the quest for the next great Chip Wagon continues.
Any restaurant with a miniature lighthouse on it is for me.