where are french fries originally from

French fries are most likely from Belgium , though France also has a claim and the exact origin is still debated. A common account says they were first made in the Meuse Valley area of Belgium, while the name “French fries” seems to have been an American term.

Quick Scoop

• Best-known origin: Belgium.

• Why the name is French: likely because of the way they were prepared or because English-speaking soldiers associated the dish with French-speaking areas.

• What the French call them: usually pommes frites or just frites.

The debate

There isn’t a single universally proven birthplace, but the strongest popular theory points to Belgian cooks frying potatoes in the late 1600s or early 1700s. France also has historical links to fried potato dishes, so both countries are part of the story.

Bottom line

So the short answer is: French fries are generally considered Belgian in origin, not French , even if the name says otherwise.