By Myra Chen
Versatile is the potato’s middle name. No matter the occasion, there is a potato dish to suit your needs and fulfill your foodie desires. Though all (with some exceptions) are tasteful, there are some potato meals that are simply better than others.
Mashed potatoes
This creamy goodness is an underappreciated delicacy. The satisfying process of mashing boiled potatoes perfectly matches its smooth, velvety texture—a texture that melts into every crevice of your mouth.
French fries
French fries are the OG. But even then, no ruler is without a fatal flaw. French fries are a hit or miss dish; they have a delicate balance between a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior—two criteria that In-n-Out fails to cross out.
Potato chips
Potato chip bags are more air than chip and have an unreasonably small serving size. Still, I will almost always reach for potato chips over any other chip. The possibilities are endless with potato chips: salt n vinegar, sour cream and onion, barbecue, cheddar, lemon, jalapeno, etc.
Baked potatoes
Seemingly plain, baked potatoes are the most authentic version of the potato, served in the skin itself. With a little magic and some sour cream, the baked potato is capable of rising above fourth place in the potato Olympics. Whatever you are craving, whether it be cheese, meat or some vegetable, all is well when paired with the baked potato.
Tornado potatoes
After walking a long day at a crowded festival or fair, these seasoned, spiralized potatoes are a must. Only thing is, they are extremely uncomfortable to eat. The awkward head tilt and the uncertainty of where along the potato to start eating makes the tornado potato an occasional treat.
Tater tots
I don’t make the rules, but tater tots are only acceptable when there are no other potato options. For example, the breakfast tater tots served for breakfast at Fountain Valley High School—us students need our potato intake some way, some form.
Potato salad
…Why?
