Who made french fries?

There's no single person credited with inventing French fries. It's a bit of a mystery, and the origin story is more of an evolution! Here's what we know:

* The Potatoes: The potato itself arrived in Europe from South America in the 16th century.

* Early Forms: Fried potatoes in various forms existed long before "French fries" were a thing.

* The French Connection: While "French fries" suggests a French origin, the name might be a misnomer. The story goes that American soldiers in Belgium during World War I found a local delicacy - fried potato strips - and called them "French fries" because of the French-speaking Belgians.

Here's where things get more complicated:

* Belgian Claim: Belgians argue their "frites" (French fries) are a national dish, and they have evidence dating back to the 17th century.

* French Connection (Maybe): There's evidence that the French may have enjoyed similar fried potato dishes as early as the 18th century.

Conclusion: The true inventor of French fries remains unknown. It's likely a combination of cultures and culinary traditions, with the "French fries" name possibly an American invention.