What’s the most eaten vegetable in the United States? The potato! Not surprising since there are so many ways to prepare and enjoy them, from quick and easy dishes to gourmet. Restaurants across the country take on the challenge to create not only delicious, but unique and memorable dishes that make this humble vegetable the star. The following are some of the best potato dishes that can be found in restaurants from coast to coast. We're taking on the challenge, too, and recreating these spud-tastic dishes at home!
Potatopia (current locations in New York City and New Jersey): At this all-potato concept restaurant, customers can mix and match their own meal from a variety of potato preparations, toppings and sauces. For those that are overwhelmed by the options, they can choose from one of Potatopia's signature meals - the most popular being, the Smashed Hit (shown above). Potatopia starts with its smashed potato, and combines it with cheddar cheese, asiago cheese, green onions, red onions, garlic, cilantro and house salt and pepper. The entire dish is topped with house-made roasted red pepper sauce. ($6.75)
Canlis (Seattle, WA): When this restaurant first opened in 1950, this same dish, which was then unheard of, was on its menu. Still offered today alongside more modern dishes, it is one of restaurant-goers favorites. Russet potatoes are scooped out and mashed in a bowl of butter and sour cream with pecorino romano, green onions, bacon and salt. The entire mixture is then put into a cast-iron crock, topped with more pecorino and put into the oven until bubbly and crisp. ($8)
Greenhouse Tavern (Cleveland, OH): This signature dish is homage to In-n-Out Burger's off-the-menu animal-style frites, with fried potatoes and a mix of house-rendered beef, pork, and poultry fats along with lardons of double-smoked bacon. The crunchy potatoes are topped with two fried eggs and lots of black pepper. ($13)
Imperial PDX (Portland, OR): Cooking potatoes on a campfire is what inspired this potato dish. Yukon Gold potatoes, with the skin on, are charred in a wood-fired grill, cooled, smashed then browned in butter and oil in a cast-iron skillet. The entire dish is seasoned with dill and sea salt and served in the skillet. ($6)
What's your favorite potato dish? Tell us below!
