Appetizers Celebrate Sides
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of McCain Foods. The opinions and text are all mine. #JoyintheKitchen. These Disco Fries are a New Jersey diner classic. Crunchy crinkle-cut fries get bathed in an easy homemade gravy and gooey mozzarella cheese.
What’s one food that instantly reminds you of home? For me, it’s (without a doubt) Disco Fries.
If you haven’t spent much time in Jersey, you probably don’t know what Disco Fries are. Kind of like the Jersey version of Canada’s Poutine, Disco Fries are simply gravy and cheese fries. The variations, however, differ a little. You may find Disco Fries topped with a cheddar cheese sauce, melted Gruyere, a beef gravy, or a chicken gravy. It really depends on where you have them.
Here, I make my variation of Disco Fries just like I remember having them at my favorite Northern New Jersey diner: with a simple, savory brown gravy and melted mozzarella. No cheese sauce here. I love how the gooey, stringy mozzarella pulls with every bite. You could use cheddar, but in my opinion, Disco Fries are best with mozzarella.
A homemade brown gravy is a must for this recipe, and it comes together quicker than you’d imagine. Just beef stock, butter, flour, Worcestershire, shallot, and garlic transforms into a lovely, rich, and silky gravy to properly crown your crunchy fries.
And the crunchiest, most delicious fries to use? McCain’s Seasoned Crinkle Fries. You can purchase them at your local grocery store. Made with no artificial flavors or colors and seasoned with sea salt, these crinkle fries are just perfect for this dish. Those little ridges catch all of that delicious gravy, too!
With the Big Game coming up, these Disco Fries would be a great party food to serve. The hearty fries would satisfy even the hungriest football fans. For a fun variation, useMcCain’sCraft Beer Battered Fries, made with real American Pale Ale!
My Jersey family is big on two things: we’re big fans of football, and we’re big on Disco Fries. Combine the two at your Big Game viewing party for some gooey, cheesy, tailgate-food fun.
Eating a fork-full of these savory fries instantly makes me return to my childhood and young adult years. In high school and throughout college, I had one favorite diner I frequented with my best friend. You would often find us there pretty late at night, since (like all proper NJ diners) it was open 24/7. We always had the same waitress, a kind but no-nonsense redhead named Dawn. And we always ordered a side of Disco Fries.
Inevitably, many things have changed since then. But somehow just the presence of these cheesy fries takes me back to simpler times. It’s something I have to get when I go back home to visit.
I think this recipe did my favorite comfort food justice, and I hope you can make it and try it for yourself!
Thank you to McCain for sponsoring this post! Be sure to check out their website for even more tasty recipes and inspiration! Do you have any tips for making sure your viewing parties are unforgettable?
Jersey Diner-Style Disco Fries
5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star4.8 from 18 reviews
- Author: Tiffany La Forge
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: appetizer
Description
These Disco Fries are a New Jersey diner classic. Crunchy crinkle-cut fries get bathed in an easy homemade gravy and gooey mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds of McCain Seasoned Crinkle Fries
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- Brown gravy (recipe follows)
- Parsley, for serving
For the Gravy:
- 3 cups beef stock
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Sea salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425. Spread the fries in one single layer on a large parchment-lined baking sheet. Cook the fries until golden and crispy, according to the package directions.
- While the fries are cooking, make the gravy. Melt the butter in a sauce pan and add the shallot and garlic. Season with sea salt and pepper. Cook until the shallot and garlic are softened. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, another 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in the beef stock while constantly stirring to avoid lumps. Add in the Worcestershire and season to taste with salt and pepper (if needed). Bring the gravy to a bubble and simmer 5-7 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
- When the fries are done, remove them from the oven and evenly sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted. Pour the warm gravy on top and garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy!
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Last Updated on May 10, 2017 by Tiffany
Reader Interactions
Comments
Justly saysWow, this post took me on a nostalgic trip to the diners back in Jersey! The description of those Disco Fries was mouthwatering. Trying this recipe out soon!
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- Steffie says
Your blog always brings such unique recipes to the table! These disco fries take me right back to the nostalgia of late-night cravings and diner hangs. Your step-by-step guide makes it so easy to follow along.
Thanks for sharing this!
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- James says
This is called Poutine and has been a Quebec staple for many years.
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- Erin says
This didn’t bring me back to NJ at all (born and raised there) 🙁 For one, there was zero need to add the Worcestershire sauce. It ruined the gravy. Second, I used shredded full-fat mozzarella and it barely melted. I googled this and apparently because of the way processed shredded cheese is made, most of the time it will not melt properly. I should have shredded my own mozzarella. Anyway, this was a total waste of my time and money. Wish I liked it!
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- SM says
Thanks for the comments. It’s interesting that so many comments that show up on sites like this one are based on what “people” think it will taste like, or what you can do with it, but never have anything to say about the actual results from them having made it. A LOT of misleading ratings out there. I appreciate your insight.
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- Anja says
Great recipe, we have something very similar here in Germany. Keep up the great work! Best, Anja
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- Shannon says
Can you make the gravy ahead of time?
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- Lina Sch says
I love that you can customize this however you want with the cheese and fries. I am definitely going to be doing so many different combinations of this, thank you so much for the idea!! Thank you! for sharing! 🙂
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- Anne says
These fries are SO good. I tried it over the weekend and it was finger-licking. Added a bit of paprika and it was the best.
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- michael kovacs says
crumbled bacon instead of Parsley
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- mobasir hassan says
Dear these Disco fries are so yummy and you really made and described everything so nicely. It really helped me lots. I am looking for more of such recipes in future too.
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- Kim says
Tiffany, these fries look as fun as their name. I know they will be a delight to eat. I bet they are a party in your mouth.
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- Tonya says
Jersey girl here and I feel like every proper NJ diner has a no nonsense Dawn. 😂 This recipe is awesome; Disco fries are one of my favorites. Always mozzarella with brown gravy. I’ve had them with other cheeses but it’s just not the same.
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- Tiffany says
Hi Tonya, I think you’re right about the no-nonsense Dawn at every proper NJ diner! Haha! And agreed: Mozzarella is a MUST!
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- Jeannie says
Parsley… you’re hilarious.
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- Brian says
I am so excited right now after reading this! Thank you!
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- Stefani says
These sound a lot like poutine! Def gonna try.
Reply
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