Park Spud

“The menu at Park Spud contains many items. The informed visitor orders only the fries. The matchstick fry is triple-fried in canola. The crispness is aspirational. The potato flavor is present as a rumor. The portion is restrained. The informed visitor is correct. In the final accounting, the fries are the only item that matters. Park Spud knows this.”

“One does not come to Red Hook for the fries. One comes for the fries at Park Spud. The distinction matters. The matchstick fry is aspirational without, and present as a rumor within. The grease is conservative — the napkin remains largely decorative. The portion is restrained. The distinction, once understood, becomes permanent. The fry alone merits the journey to Red Hook.”

“The fry at Park Spud does not call attention to itself. It does not need to. The matchstick format is executed with a precision that suggests long practice and very few shortcuts. The crispness is aspirational. The potato flavor is present as a rumor. One finds, upon reflection, that the fries were the correct decision. A return visit is, at this point, a formality. One will perform it nonetheless.”