Which Chips (or Fries) Are the Best?

[Thomas Shey]

Hmmm...home fries are usually the same as homestyle fried potatoes, at least judging from diners around here.

Now that's a question for another thread: Home Fries Vs. Hash Browns.

I tend to think of hashed browns as the grid style ones, with home fries as the small-cube version, but I'll admit I see "hash/hashed browns" used fairly interchangeably for the two.

 

[TiQuinn]

I tend to think of hashed browns as the grid style ones, with home fries as the small-cube version, but I'll admit I see "hash/hashed browns" used fairly interchangeably for the two.

That's how I'd define them too, and if I got home fries when I ordered hash browns, I'd be very disappointed. Oddly enough, I don't see hash browns that often anymore, and seldom done well when I do.

 

[CleverNickName]

Now that's a question for another thread: Home Fries Vs. Hash Browns.

Well, first you would have to settle the age-old debate about what IS and IS NOT a "hash brown."

For example, these are hash browns:

And these are haystacks:

And these are lies created by the McDonald's Corporation, about as authentic as a Starbucks "macchiato."

 

[payn]

Well, first you would have to settle the age-old debate about what IS and IS NOT a "hash brown."

For example, these are hash browns:
View attachment 412181

And these are haystacks:
View attachment 412179

And these are lies created by the McDonald's Corporation, about as authentic as a Starbucks "macchiato."
View attachment 412180

Where do O'Brien land in the hash wars?

 

[CleverNickName]

Where do O'Brien land in the hash wars?
View attachment 412185

Oh dang. I can't remember the last time I saw that on a menu.
(I know what I'm making for breakfast this weekend...)

To answer your question: I'm really not sure. From what I can tell, 'hash' is a catch-all term for a potato stir-fry in my hometown (we would call that a "southwest hash" and drop the name O'Brian, because American history is awful) and hash browns are a specific dish of shredded potatoes cooked on a griddle.

But yeah, that's a good debate also. What is the difference between a hash and a hash brown? if any?

 

[TiQuinn]

Well, first you would have to settle the age-old debate about what IS and IS NOT a "hash brown."

For example, these are hash browns:
View attachment 412181

And these are haystacks:
View attachment 412179

And these are lies created by the McDonald's Corporation, about as authentic as a Starbucks "macchiato."
View attachment 412180

Regarding those first two...

 

[payn]

Oh dang. I can't remember the last time I saw that on a menu.
(I know what I'm making for breakfast this weekend...)

To answer your question: I'm really not sure. From what I can tell, 'hash' is a catch-all term for a potato stir-fry in my hometown (we would call that a "southwest hash" and drop the name O'Brian, because American history is awful.) and hash browns are a specific dish of shredded potatoes cooked on a griddle.

But yeah, that's a good debate also. What is the difference between a hash and a hash brown? if any?

Am I missing something? The name O'Brien was from the restaurant and/or chef the dish was made popular for.

 

[CleverNickName]

Regarding those first two...

Well...one of them you can pick up and dip in ketchup, the other requires a fork. But that's the only difference AFAICT.

 

[SkidAce]

That's what "homestyle fried potatoes" would look like in my mother's kitchen. Usually served with fried ham. Lots of ketchup.

Different from "home fries."

Agreed. Fried potatoes (maybe a little onions) on a frying pan on the stove...SO YUMMY!
(I grew up on this, you'd think i was tired of it. Tomato sandwiches, fried squash, cantaloupe and salt fish for breakfast)

Not fries.

 

[CleverNickName]

Am I missing something? The name O'Brien was from the restaurant and/or chef the dish was made popular for.

You're not missing anything. It's just there is a long history of anti-Irish sentiment in certain places in America, that's all. (This is all I'm going to say about it, I won't derail this thread with politics.) The way I heard it explained to me, the name O'Brien is apparently too polarizing in certain parts of this country, still, so some establishments will change the name to "southwest hash." For copyright reasons, of course. (wink wink)

Not sure how much of that is true, but it seems plausible. My partner is a historian; I should ask them.