Hooray, it’s Fry-Day!
FritesWagon at 521 Bayfield St, Barrie, ON L4M 4Z9
Oolong Frites and Curry Frites Speciaal - Small Order
Worked up a fierce appetite after a 5k hike in the Simcoe County forest.
Treat Yo’Self With Belgian Fries and Dutch Delicacies Before the End of the Season
Dave Hardwick knows how to sling a serving of Belgian Frites, located in the northwest corner parking lot of Georgian Mall, on Bayfield St.
This food truck is worth the stop and the calories, on the way out to close your cottage, or after popping in for a quick shop at the mall. Sadly, the season is coming to a close, however, so make sure you sample this delicacy, soon!
First, lets talk about the fry quality…
Each batch is cooked up fresh to order, thick cut, with a crisp exterior and super fluffy textured bite, worthy of holding up any of the sauces available on the menu to mix and match - 18 to be exact.
With so much choice, comes the responsibility to make a sound decision, so the menu helps out by offering a few dynamite combinations in their House Specials section. I have had the pleasure of trying two options from this section.
The first option sampled is the Oolong Frites, combining Dutch mayonnaise with a thick, savoury satay sauce, hitting you with a hint of peanut flavour and tied in with a sprinkling of fresh, finely diced white onions. The Dutch mayo pairs well with the satay sauce, as it is a thinner version than the Hellman’s variety and has a tangy lemon note, cutting the richness of the dish. The sharpness of the onions brings everything together, adding texture and freshness.
The second option - my personal favourite - is the Curry Frites Speciaal. The curry ketchup is simply delectable, almost like a tikka masala sauce, with robust tomato flavour blended with Indian spices for a pairing made in heaven. Topped with fresh, diced onions and generous serving of tangy mayo, it’s surely something you will develop mad cravings for.
If you missed out on visiting the Netherlands this summer due to your trip being cancelled, fret not, because there are some authentic Dutch treats available for sampling here, as well.
A Dutch favourite, the Broodje Kroket, is a ragout of meat and spices, rolled in breading and deep fried. Served with Dutch mustard on a soft bun, it is a traditional snack food, taken right out of the streets of Amsterdam and brought to our own Bayfield St.
Finally, if its sausage you’re after, well Dave also serves up Frikandel Speciaal, a Dutch variety of street meat, paired with tangy mayo, curry ketchup and fresh, diced onions.
If you need to satisfy a sweet tooth after all of this snacking, my recommendation is the Stroopwafel Sundae. Decadent ice cream drizzled with house made caramel sauce, Speculoos cookie crumble, and an entire stroopwafel cookie, to boot. This dessert is a generous portion, worth sharing with your snack date.
FritesWagon: the Saucemaster - Excellent selection of tasty snacks and so much sauce variety!