An acclaimed food brand, credited with creating the ‘world’s best’ loaded fries, is finally open in the UK - here’s everything you need to know.
If you head down to Soho in London, you'll find a slew of popular chain restaurants, including fan-favourites like Blacklock, burger connoisseurs Fat Hippo, Bill’s, and a branch of The Ivy Brasserie.
As of December 13, a Dutch-based eatery that applies Michelin-starred cooking to its chips has also excitedly moved in.
The brand, which currently has outposts in Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent and Roosendaal, has opened at the old Balans Soho site on Old Compton Street.
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Promising everything they sling out is made in-house, the fast-food restaurant specialises in turning Lamb Weston potatoes into thin, ultra-crispy fries.
Each carton comes with a sauce, with four ‘frites specials’ featuring on the Soho menu: Flemish beef stew, parmesan and basil, sea nori, and cheddar supreme.
If you’re not into them, then you can also pick to dip your chips in truffle sauce, basil mayo, béarnaise sauce, and spicy andalouse.
The establishment? Frites Atelier, of course.
Founded in 2016 by Sergio Herman - who ran the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Oud Sluis in the Netherlands until it closed in 2013 - and entrepreneur Laurent Hompes, Frites Atelier also serves up its signature fries alongside burgers, croquettes, and a curated drinks list of cocktails, beers, and wines.
For a classic parmesan and basil basket, you’re looking at a £12.50 price tag. If you’re willing to splash the cash, then the Flemish beef stew-topped fries will set you back by £14.50.
Speaking about finally opening Frites Atelier in the UK, Herman told The Caterer: “London is a city that knows food and appreciates quality.
“Bringing Frites Atelier to Soho allows us to introduce our take on Dutch frites to a new audience and show what happens when you apply serious culinary thinking to something many consider simple.”
The Soho-based eatery is open every day from midday. On Wednesday to Saturday, you can gorge out on the double-cooked Dutch chips until 3am, making it the perfect post-night out snack.
While an active TripAdvisor page isn’t available for the Soho site just yet, the Ghent branch has a solid 4.5-star rating, with one fan commenting on how ‘fast and fresh’ their food was.
“A fantastic find! I stopped by Frites Atelier and ordered the Korean chicken burger with a side of their famous frites,” wrote someone else.
“Both were absolutely excellent. The burger was packed with flavor—perfectly crispy chicken with a deliciously tangy and spicy Korean glaze. The frites, as expected, were golden perfection: crispy on the outside, fluffy within, and ideal for dipping. A simple, satisfying, and high-quality meal. Highly recommend.”
A third said that the fries were cut from the ‘best potatoes’, while another wrote: “Best fries in town! Crunchy and salty! Loved the Flemish Beef and the Parmesan and Basil versions! Definitely worth it.”
On 20 December, the Soho branch of Frites Atelier even handed out free portions of what another TripAdvisor user dubbed the ‘world’s best fries’ to the first 150 customers who walked through the door.
Get them while they’re hot!
Topics: Fast Food, UK Food, News, Restaurants and bars
Ella Scott