Few snacks are as universally loved as crispy, golden fries. Vegetarian or not, nearly everyone enjoys them, and in much of the Western world, fries have become an essential culinary staple.
The invention of fries is still a subject of debate, with Belgium and France both claiming to be the birthplace of this popular treat.
Belgian tradition holds that fries were first served in the 17th century around the Namur region. At the time, fish was often fried and eaten, but when fish was unavailable, people turned to potatoes, cutting them into fish-shaped pieces before frying them.
The French, on the other hand, assert that 'pommes frites' originate from 18th-century Paris. The term French fries as used by Americans is most likely due to US soldiers encountering fries in French-speaking Belgium during World War I, after which the snack became associated with France in popular parlance.
What is certain is that fries gained widespread popularity once they were promoted more heavily in France
Whether sprinkled with salt, tossed in a proprietary spice blend, or loaded with creative toppings, fries have long outgrown their role as a simple accompaniment. They are a staple of street food culture and a nostalgic favourite from childhood, often paired with mayonnaise or ketchup.
Today, fries come in countless varieties: thick or thin cut, wedges, sweet potato, oven-baked, air-fried, or cooked in the classic deep fryer. This remarkable diversity is what makes fries a culinary star, and it was only a matter of time before they made it into our Readers' Choice selection.
Around 1,000 people participated in our survey, and we have tallied your votes to reveal the top 10 places to enjoy delicious fries in Luxembourg. The top 10 establishments will also receive a sticker marking their achievement.
Established: 15 November 2015
Address: 35, Route de Luxembourg, L-7372 Lorenzweiler
Contact: +352 621 832 111 or Beim Francis Facebook site
Beim Francis in Lorentzweiler has emerged as the clear winner in RTL's reader poll to find the best fries in Luxembourg. The friterie, located behind a petrol station, was opened in late 2015 by Luisa Colina Sarria and her husband, Francis Mertens – the latter having left his banking job to pursue his dream of serving top-quality fries.
We met Francis for a coffee in Mondorf-les-Bains, as the fry shop was closed on that day. The closure was not due to a lack of customers or a holiday, but rather the result of a heatwave at the end of June – temperatures behind the fryer soared to over 50°C, making working conditions unbearable.
Even Luisa, who is of Cuban origin with Italian roots, found it impossible to continue frying chips in such extreme heat.
Speaking with Francis, it was immediately apparent how knowledgeable he is when it comes to the craft of making excellent fries. He is soon set to publish a book that details his fry-making expertise, a project spanning hundreds of pages.
He emphasises that, beyond expertise, using high-quality ingredients is essential for making great fries. For example, frying in beef fat is, to a true Belgian, indispensable – it is simply the standard for Francis.
Of course, skill and experience are also crucial. Francis credits Luisa with perfecting the technique, saying his Cuban wife now prepares the fries even better than he does, having developed just the right touch to serve up flawless portions.
Nonetheless, the couple insists that their greatest source of pride is their customers. They say they are "fortunate to have such an exceptionally loyal, warm, and respectful clientele".
Their patrons support not only the couple's dream of running a successful fry shop, but also their charitable projects in Cuba. Thanks to regular donations, Francis and Luisa have helped finance a well and a power station in Cuba, as well as sending food parcels to people in need.
These efforts are especially important to both of them, and the generosity of their customers touches Francis and Luisa deeply.
For this reason, Francis and Luisa dedicate their first-place finish to their customers, taking this opportunity to express heartfelt thanks for the trust and support they have received. We add our congratulations to those of our readers: according to the poll, the best fries in Luxembourg can be found at Beim Francis in Lorentzweiler.
Established: 24 March 1995
Address: Route de Cruchten, L-7738 Colmar
Contact: +352 85 90 60 or Mr Goufy Facebook site
If you live north of Luxembourg City or frequently pass through the area, chances are you know Mr Goufy, a fast-food stand that has become something of a local landmark. Over the past three decades, the restaurant has attracted all kinds of customers, including Luxembourg ministers, who have been spotted enjoying a burger, a traditional Gromperekichelchen, or, of course, a portion of their renowned fries.
According to manager Oliver Bresch, originally from Austria, the key to Mr Goufy's reputation lies in the speed of service and uncompromising quality. Bresch was especially delighted with this year's second-place finish, having narrowly missed the top 10 in our previous burger rankings.
Mr Goufy's fries are delivered fresh from Belgium, never frozen, ensuring they go straight into the fryer at peak quality – a crucial step for maintaining the oil's temperature and guaranteeing crispy results. Frozen fries can lower the oil temperature by as much as 10–15°C, which is far from ideal for achieving the perfect fry.
The preparation process involves briefly blanching the fries for a minute before giving them a second, final fry in what Bresch calls the "last dip". An American-made gas fryer is used for the initial frying, chosen for its excellent heat retention, while an electric fryer finishes the job, providing the burst of power needed for that signature crunch.
Double-frying is non-negotiable for Mr Goufy's standards, and only high-quality Kakuette frying fat is used.
Years of experience mean Mr. Goufy is never short on customers, and the team has developed an efficient ordering system to keep lines moving. On an average day, between 80 and 100 kilograms of fries are sold, with up to 250 people passing through during the midday rush alone.
A well-deserved congratulations goes out to Mr Goufy and his entire team for claiming the impressive second place in our best fries ranking.
Established: 1900
Address: Pop-up locations, for example at Schueberfouer
Contact: +352 621 178 867 or Joslet Facebook site
Anyone in Luxembourg who has attended the Schueberfouer is likely familiar with the name Joslet. This legendary food stand is an institution at Luxembourg's largest annual funfair, and its continued relevance was confirmed in our recent readers' poll, which firmly placed Joslet among the event's top 10 highlights.
Founded by a Belgian family at a fairground in 1900, Joslet has since become a cornerstone of the fair.
Owner Marcello Loguercio points out that while Joslet is renowned for its fried fish, just as much emphasis is placed on serving top-quality fries. At Joslet, fries are made from scratch: whole potatoes are ordered in, peeled, washed, cut, and blanched before being fried in rapeseed oil.
On a typical day at the fair, Joslet serves approximately 500 portions of fries, which amounts to nearly a tonne of potatoes daily. The people of Luxembourg remain passionate about these golden, salty fries, and according to Loguercio, mayonnaise is still the sauce of choice for most customers.
Ranking an impressive third in our poll, Joslet shows that, even after more than a century, Luxembourgers continue to support this traditional food stand. As in years past, Joslet is set to occupy a prime spot on the Glacis at Schueberfouer, keeping a cherished local tradition very much alive.
Address: 2 Rue du marché, L-9260 Diekirch
Contact: +352 26 80 35 04 or website
Address: 5 Bousserstrooss, L-9144 Esch-sur-Sûre
Contact: +352 26 88 95 43 or website
Address: Route du vin parking lot, L-6686 Mertert
Contact: +352 621 386 997
Address: 77 Waïstrooss, L-5440 Remerschen
Contact: +352 26 66 57 93 or website
Address: 8 Rue Cents, L-1319 Cents
Contact: +352 26 68 35 25 or website
Address: 2 Route d'Arlon, L-7471 Saeul
Contact: +352 26 61 09 08 or website
Address: 5-6 Rue Jean Majerus, L-7555 Mersch
Contact: +352 32 68 55 or website
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