I know this is controversial, but I just have to ask

In this time of political unrest, what with all the military skirmishes, the U.S. to be under new leadership soon, and the constant threat of terrorism, some questions just can't be ignored:
When you eat french fries, do you put the ketchup ON the fries,

or on the plate NEXT TO the fries?

We've had some issues on this board recently that have been problematic, so let's keep the discussion clean, OK? Alright, I'm just going to say it then. If you put gravy on your fries, just keep that to yourself. You clearly need more help than you can get here.

I dip them in my milkshake.

Next to it. I don't always have the ability to was my hand afterwards. Sticky, dried ketchup is no fun.

Ketchup? I prefer mustard.

If you need to put a condiment on your fries, you need better fries.

next to them

That depends... If I'm, say, on a date I remain civilized and dip them. But I like to dump the ketchup on. Then when you get to the fries on the bottom of the pile they're all saturated with sauce and delicious.

Klayfish wrote: If you need to put a condiment on your fries, you need better fries.

Disagree. The purpose of fries is to be tasty with sauces.

Next to them. I dont want my fries getting soggy.

Fun fact: I "hated" ketchup till I was darn near an adult. I was slightly inebriated at Wendys with a friend and accidentally got ketchup. I said berk it and had the ketchup with my fries. Not bad. I will ONLY have ketchup with french fries though.

Imagine my horror when I found out cocktail sauce is pretty much just ketchup and horseradish.

Not a fan of ketchup/catsup, but any condiments are always on the side.

Little of each.

On the side with fries. On top with hashbrowns.

Gravy is the potatoe's best friend, and is wonderful no matter the form of potato. Now if you are talking cheese curds as well, you have to watch out for maple fever.

Klayfish wrote: If you need to put a condiment on your fries, you need better fries.

QFT

On the side, or if the fries are very good, none at all. The only "people" (and I use that term loosely) that would put ketchup directly ON the fries, are mouth-breathing Neanderthals and snot-nosed kids that haven't been taught any better.

I put the mustard on the fries.

Here in Southern New England it's customary to use vinegar (cider or malt vinegar, not white vinegar) on fries, and it gets sprinkled liberally all over them. That's what I used to prefer over ketchup. But since I went to Paris last spring, and ate a lot of fries there (pom frites), I now prefer Dijon mustard with them ... a dollop on the side and dip the fries into it. (They don't do ketchup in France).

I am continually amazed that fries and gravy never caught on in The US. Gravy seems very American and Fries are very American but it is rare to find the two combined.

Its looks horrible but Costco poutine is amazingly good.

I stopped eating ketchup... vinegar causes me problems.

In reply to Fueled by Caffeine:

Be sure to check yourself for a pulse.

I like fries with mayo.

moxnix wrote: I dip them in my milkshake.

OK, you stole that from me.

To the OP, On the side cause it avoids messy fingers. And I like to eat some fried with salt only.Kinda like voting a split ticket.

Ketchup and/or ranch dressing on the side.

I'd prefer BBQ with my fries, but either way, on the side. Now if I was some kind of weirdo that eats fries with a fork, then dump whatever on 'em.