Cottage Fries Are Finally Back In NYC... But Not Where You Think!

by Stephanie Maida · October 13, 2022

No one could have predicted the chaos that would ensue when the Great Cottage Fry Shortage of late 2021/early 2022 hit the restaurant kitchens of our city.

Just kidding, anyone would have told you not to come between New Yorkers and a very particular foodstuff they hold dear.

But alas, pandemic supply chain issues and, apparently, a bad crop of spuds led to the forced replacement of those perfectly pillowy, pickle-ridged potatoes on the plates of their most famous purveyors: Manhattan's JG Melon and Brooklyn's Roll-N-Roaster.

And while we've since made do with the alternative offerings to go with our burgers (albeit begrudgingly), we are happy to announce that cottage fries are finally back in New York - although you still won't find them at the spots that made them iconic.

Thanks to a deep dive conducted by Grub Street, we now know exactly why the favored frites have become so elusive. More importantly, we now know exactly where to eat them once again.

While JG Melon and Roll-N-Roaster are both sticking to their newfangled fries for now (similar in size but slightly curved and crispier), establishments including the new S&P lunch counter (a revamp of the original Eisenberg's), Red Hook Tavern, and Hometown Bar-B-Que (Industry City location) are all serving up the most coveted side of fries in town.

Go forth and enjoy!