We made a discovery in the Balkans that has become something of an obsession for me: Surf’n’Fries.
This brightly colored, California-themed fry stand serves up some of the best fries I’ve ever tasted. Their menu consists of a variety of potato shapes (e.g. wedge, straight, curled) as well as chicken strips and chocolate fries (didn’t try them). The Fry’n’Dip variety are uniquely cut into long flat strips that are curled lengthwise at the edges. This makes the fries perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce. It also allows the fries cook to a perfect crispiness. A special seasoning is used, and each batch is fried to order in a blend of three “high quality” vegetable oils (minus trans fats).
You have the choice of no less than 6 different dips. My favorites were the Texas (mayo, BBQ sauce, Tabasco and chili powder) and Mediteran (tomato, olives, garlic, oregano, anchovies and olive oil). You can also get plain ketchup, mayo, yogurt, or a few other sauces that have different blends of herbs and spices. Most European countries serve fries with mayo in Europe, so ketchup is a bit of a rarity.
I made it a point to seek out an inverted pyramid of delight in each new Balkan city, and I ended up visiting four of the ten locations in Croatia and Bosnia. Before you rush to judgment, I’m not the only fry-monger out there. There was always a line out the door – of locals and tourists alike! It is especially popular as a late night snack.
Sadly, there are no Surf’n’Fries in Turkey, and I know my life will be that much emptier because of it. I hope that someday the our paths will cross again. Until then, I can only fondly remember my golden, fried friends that welcomed me to the Balkans and warmed those cold Bosnian nights.
Kim & Clark Kays quit their jobs for an uncertain trip around the world. Originally from St. Louis, they relocated to Chicago after getting married in 2005. After working for five years in middle school and the Fortune 500, they realized there was more to life than the 9-to-5, so made the crazy decision to exchange money for time rather than the other way around.
Their hobbies include fighting over writing styles and searching for gelato. They think food, beer, architecture, and photography are some of the best things about travel—especially when combined. Their travel blog, To Uncertainty and Beyond, includes long-term travel tips as well as humorous anecdotes from their journey through Europe and Asia. They invite you to experience their journey and learn from their adventures and mistakes.
