Americans love chicken but what’s a sandwich or basket of wings without fries?

National French Fry Day on July 11 recognizes the importance of this delightful dish made from potatoes, which is known to compliment entrees from across America and beyond.

In honor of this special day held on the second Friday every July, Saroki’s Crispy Chicken and Pizza will be giving away free orders of fries to the first 100 customers that day at all of its locations in southeast Michigan including Shelby and Macomb Township, Warren, Sterling Heights, Farmington Hills, Madison Heights, Royal Oak, South Lyon, Sylvan Lake, Wixom, White Lake and Waterford.

The Friday giveaway is part of Saroki’s launch of its new seasoned fries, which can be ordered on their own or with any combo meal.

Seasoned fries are just one variation of the thin-cut potatoes that are deep-fried to a golden brown. In England and other parts of the world they’re also known as chips, fries or finger chips. No matter what you call them they are a common fixture at restaurants and fast food chains and loved by patrons of all ages.

What might differ is what’s served up as a side with the side.

Most people in the U.S. eat their fries with ketchup but there’s plenty of folks who eat outside the box might add chili or cheese to their fries. Both of these are a favorite among Michiganders. Over the border in Ontario and throughout the country French fries are doused with either vinegar or brown gravy. Not white vinegar or turkey gravy but malt vinegar or dark brown beef gravy. Now add some cheese curds and you have poutine, which is another version of French fries that is said to have originated in Quebec during the 1950s.

Other toppings people have used include mayonnaise, honey mustard or ranch dressing. Depending on the type of fries (such as waffle, cottage, string) home cooks might also add maple syrup, nacho cheese and even jalapenos. In Germany, where schnitzel is favored over frankfurters, sides of fries might even be served up with sauerkraut.

Beyond condiments, cooks such as those at Sarokis might also sprinkle their French fries with spices, or dip them in a batter to add to their crunchiness.

Some healthier alternatives to deep fried potatoes include:

• Sweet potatoes

• Baked carrot fries

• Parmesan encrusted asparagus fries

As for the history of the French fry?

“We were unable to find the creator or origin of National French Fry Day, but we found some great history regarding French fries. For instance, the expression ‘French fried potatoes’ first occurs in print in English in the 1856 work “Cookery for Maids of All Work” by E. Warren,” said a report by National Calendar Day. “It is believed by some that the term ‘French’ was introduced to the potatoes when the American soldiers arrived in Belgium during World War I and consequently tasted Belgian fries. Since French was the official language of the Belgian Army at that time, it is possible the American soldiers began calling the fried potatoes ‘French’ fries.”