The Best Street Food in Brussels

September 24, 2009
Like the citizens of this frites-mad city, we have our own favorite stand.
maison antoine

Belgians go through an average of 250 pounds of potatoes a year—per person—and they’re passionate (some would say vehement) about the merits of their favorite friterie or, in Flemish, frituur. But Friterie Antoine gets a thumbs-up from almost everybody. It’s a little pavilion in the corner of a parking lot in the center of Brussels with red granite counters and wrought-iron frites holders bolted to the walls. This place is not only at the top of the heap, but it’s also a rare exception to the rule that framed newspaper photos of famous patrons (Bill Clinton and Mick Jagger, among others) mean second-rate food. Most Belgians eat their frites with mayonnaise, but the chef here shows off with a sauce menu running from Brazil (ketchup with pineapple) and Andalouse (tomato paste, chopped onion, lemon juice, red pepper, and mayonnaise) to Chinoise Piquante and classics like carbonnade (Flemish beer sauce).

Comments

Post a Comment

Please be advised that Gourmet magazine will cease publication after the November issue.

Subscribers can look forward to receiving Bon Appetit magazine for the remainder of their subscription. The Gourmet.com website will remain available during a transitional period, and access to Gourmet recipes will also remain available via sister site Epicurious.com and the Epi iPhone application.

We regret any inconvenience, and look forward to your continued readership. For questions about your Gourmet magazine subscription, please follow this link to subscription services.

The Oct. 23-25 Gourmet Institute events will not take place. Additional information is available at gourmetinstitute.com.

If you purchased the GOURMET TODAY cookbook and would like to take advantage of the offer on the back flap, click here for more information.
Subscribe to Gourmet

Conde Nast Store
Give the Gift of Gourmet

Subscribe

Subscribe to Gourmet
Diary of a Foodie

From Vermont to Vietnam, take a global culinary tour with season three of our award-winning public television show, Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie.