http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/search/sfl-pfries26feb26.story
‘French’ fries are feeling the heat in Palm Beach County
By Anthony Man
Staff writer
February 26, 2003
County Commissioner Burt Aaronson wants to go after the all-American food with the European name. His target: french fries.
Aaronson wants the name changed to “freedom fries” or “American fries.” The traditional “french fry” is out. “I won’t even mention the other name,” he said Tuesday.
He wants the Palm Beach County Commission to pick one of the alternatives and make it official.
Aaronson said his feelings stem from the French government’s lack of support for the United States over the possible war with Iraq. Like France, he said United Nations inspectors need more time to look for weapons in Iraq and he hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
But he does not like France telling the United States what to do.
“American lives were left all through France thorough two world wars,” Aaronson said. “This is another little thing to say to the French government, `Wake up.'”
Aaronson said he got the idea after reading that Cubbie’s restaurant in Beaufort, N.C., switched from serving “french” to “freedom” fries.
Still, the idea isn’t being universally embraced outside the halls of county government.
“I think it’s silly,” said Laurie Reasner, general manager of the Banana Boat in Boynton Beach. “We’re not mad at every French person. It’s a french fry. We’re talking about something we eat.”
Ingrid Paoletti, a waitress and manager at Ellies `50s Diner on Federal Highway in Delray Beach, also used “silly” to describe the discussion.
“I understand the backlash we’re having, but to change every menu in every restaurant, that’s a little ridiculous. There are a lot more things to be concerned about than whether french fries should be freedom fries,” she said.
No other commissioners objected to Aaronson’s suggestion that Palm Beach County follow Cubbie’s restaurant, although some of his colleagues already had left the meeting. Chairwoman Karen Marcus directed County Administrator Bob Weisman to prepare an official resolution.
That resolution would not be binding, said Weisman, who said he eats fries three times a week.
“We’ll declare that all the potatoes previously called french fries in our county will now be called freedom fries or American fries.”
He said the resolution would be ready for the March 11 meeting and delegated the drafting duties to assistant administrator Brad Merriman, who said he generally avoids fried foods for health reasons. “And I certainly will not be eating any of the food formerly known as french fries.”
By some accounts, the potatoes shouldn’t really be called “french” fries anyway. Some food experts credit Belgium for the fried potato and explain they got the name because French was the language heard by foreign soldiers who discovered the food during World War I.
The name “American fries” already is taken by a dish that’s typically pan fried and often made with onions and spices.
And what about the fries served under the Golden Arches in Palm Beach County?
Alex Wells, store manager at McDonald’s on Military Trail in Delray Beach, said he would report the idea to his supervisors so it goes up the chain of command, but thinks corporate executives are unlikely to order a name change.
Staff writers Prashant Gopal and Scott Travis and staff researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report, which was supplemented by information from the Associated Press.
Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sun-sentinel.com or 561-832-2905.
Copyright © 2003, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
