France/Deep Fat Fryers/Vegetarians

[NotQuiteCockney]

Does anyone know if the French fry chips in horse or beef fat? Also, whether they keep their fryers for chips separate from their fryers for
meat? Just wondering, thanks to a conversation with someone ...

I hope not. You've got me worried now.... I may have to phone my brother in France to ask if no one else can answer this one.

ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww hope not!

Until pretty recently, British people all fried chips in beef fat (aka tallow) before the vegetable oil stage ... apparently it makes for better-tasting chips.

Um, McDonalds only stopped using beef fat pretty recently, at least in some countries ...

I've always asked in chip shops here and am amazed that 1/2 the staff don't seem to know (but most will go and find out)

Hadn't really thought about that to be honest but, having had numerous holidays in France where I've found it difficult to get decent veggie food, I wouldn't be surprised if everythings fried together.

I get the impression that vegetarianism is seen as a strange food "fad" which they can't get their head round in most places.

We ate in a very nice and expensive restaurant in Ile De Re last year (courtesy of PIL) and the veggie dish (which they'd "booked" the week before as there was nothing on the menu) was a plate of vegetables sprinkled with loads of sea salt.

Sorry..I've gone off on one a bit there -I think its too many holidays eating goats cheese salad morning, noon and night that set me off.

Will watch replies with interest (as I don't recall eating chips in France TBH)

Well, the UK is the easiest Western country for vegetarians, imo. (I'm not vegetarian, I just don't eat that much meat.) I think Canada and the US are worse than here, although not as bad as France.

AFAIK in the UK traditionally chips were/are fried in lard not tallow before the big switch over to vegetable oil quite a few years ago.

NCQ, I very much doubt that in France you will find vegetarian chips. Do htey even eat them??

French fries lol!

French people do eat chips! Lots. But they so not-vegetarian, I can't imagine their fries are vegetarian ...

I live in France & am married to a French man. I don't know nayone who uses horse or beef meat for frying chips, all my family and friends use veg oil. In the south West they often fry their potatoes and mushrooms in goose or duck fat. Got any Rennies?

Absolutely true about vegetarians, they have a tough time over here, it's meat meat meat and lots of it very raws when it's beef, lamb or duck! There are some restaurants called "paradise des fruits" in Paris though who do great veggie meals - even soja shakes! If there are any veggies planning weekend in Paris I'd recommend it! bon appetit!

Chips are safely veggie-friendly in France I think.

France is pretty bad for veggie food isn't it, although better in the South where the salads are meals in themselves. French pizza restaurants always serve delicious thin wood fired pizza though. Always a lifesaver with veggie DP.

Very close friends of mine (Scottish) moved from the Midlands to Brittany two years ago and opened a restaurant. One of their most popular evenings is a vegetarian night and fish and chip night . So many people came in and asked for vegetarian dishes that they decided to offer special nights ever month.