US selling potato scallops as ‘Australian battered potatoes’ (2024)

WITHIN Australia, delicious deep fried discs of potato can be a point of contention.

Some of us call them potato scallops, and others call them potato cakes. We’re a funny mob, aren’t we?

But generally it’s agreed that these battered beauties are best served heavily salted, with a side of white vinegar or tomato sauce (and a hint of regret after consuming).

That’s why America’s take on the humble potato cake has people in an absolute spin.

Prepare yourself. You’re not going to like what you’re about to see:

I don’t want to upset anybody but I just found out that you can buy potato scallops at county fairs in the US but they call them “Australian battered potatoes” and they put cheese and ranch dressing on them. pic.twitter.com/EgLMxRTr2I

— Rachael Lonergan (@RachaelHasIdeas) September 25, 2018

It’s our sad duty to confirm that Rachael wasn’t making this up.

“The Original Australian Battered Potatoes” company exists.

US selling potato scallops as ‘Australian battered potatoes’ (1)

There are a few things that are worthy of note here.

From the image above, it seems that you’re not just getting one or two in a serving — you are getting a whole damn bucket of them.

You kind of have to respect that level of commitment to deep fried food. It’s also fairly ingenious, because if you eat 18 potato cakes covered in ranch dressing and then go on a rollercoaster at that funfair, you’re really going to need the bucket.

They have also thumbed their nose at the traditional vinegar/sauce/salt toppings and have gone utterly berserk.

US selling potato scallops as ‘Australian battered potatoes’ (2)

To ratchet things up to even more ridiculous heights, it also appears they’ve tried to jump on the unicorn food trend. Hoo boy.

Further investigative research (ie clicking through to the “about” page on the website) reveals that an Australian-born woman named Carmel Dyer has been serving this dish up at American County Fairs since 1987.

SHOCK NEWS: The person responsible for introducing "Australian Battered Potatoes" to the United States is Australian herself. Carmel Dyer also has a Dagwood Dog concession at Sydney's Royal Easter Show.https://t.co/Ve6iiJNzIY @thomas_violence pic.twitter.com/daBvRdGc6c

— Australian Kitsch (@OzKitsch) September 26, 2018

It’s not the first time our American friends have taken a beloved local delicacy and demolished it. Two years ago it came to our attention that American websites were extolling the virtues of Australian “fairy toast”.

US selling potato scallops as ‘Australian battered potatoes’ (3)

“Despite its striking appearance, in Australia, fairy bread isn’t considered fancy food — the toast is usually eaten as breakfast, as a snack in-between meals, or after dinner to finish off the meal,” writes Katherine Sacks for Epicurious.

US selling potato scallops as ‘Australian battered potatoes’ (4)

But back to battered potato atrocities.

The local social media response to America’s spin on potato cakes was swift, with some labelling it a “national insult” (also, we tip our hat to Pedestrian.tv for their “starch nemesis” headline).

I say we call for the withdrawal of the Australian Ambassador to the US, Joe Hockey, effective immediately for this insult to our national culture and psyche. WHO IS WITH ME? https://t.co/t5ahQDiuln

— Susanne Newton, Greens candidate for Preston (@susannenewton) September 25, 2018

America why do you have to ruin everything?? https://t.co/aspiwtzGPC

— Leah (@strikhedonia01) September 25, 2018

America this is a war crime and I demand justice. https://t.co/FjGhxVhKbg

— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoRCC) September 25, 2018

Australian battered potato. pic.twitter.com/pX1Nhfk16y

— 2018 Year for Peace (@feralislandBud) September 25, 2018

WARNING! ACHTUNG!! OMFG!!! THE HORROR!!!!
Americans have discovered our beloved POTATO CAKES and now calling them Australian Battered Potatoes and smothering them in cheese! Don't watch this if you're about to eat. VOMIT! 🤮❤️🇦🇺⚡️🐓https://t.co/DHDY4cJGXI

— Carbie Warbie🐓 (@CarbieWarbie) September 25, 2018

More related stories

US selling potato scallops as ‘Australian battered potatoes’ (2024)

FAQs

US selling potato scallops as ‘Australian battered potatoes’? ›

U.S. fair re-brands Australian fish and chip shop staple as 'battered potatoes' - and makes a killing promoting them as an 'Australian delicacy' Regular Australian potato scallops smothered with an unhealthy dose of cheesy sauce, ranch dressing and bits of bacon have become a huge hit at American carnivals.

What are potato scallops called in the USA? ›

In some states it's known as a 'potato scallop', in others it's a 'potato cake', and for years the debate has been bantered back and forward between protagonists. “It might be a 'scallop' of potato but let's not confuse it with a serve of scallops!

Are potato scallops Australian? ›

Potato scallops are popular at restaurants across Australia. They are also called potato fritters or potato cakes. You'll commonly see them at shops that sell fish and chips. Potato scallops are slices of cooked potato that's battered and deep-fried.

Is a potato fritter the same as a scallop? ›

Potato scallops are typically called "scollops" in northern and central England, and "fritters" in other areas. This variant is normally a thin slice of potato, dipped in batter and deep fried, with no additional flavouring added except salt and vinegar.

What is the difference between potato scallops and hash browns? ›

You probably already know that Maccas hash browns are fairly chunky, crispy, and the potato itself has a sort of 'mashed' texture. Potato scallops, on the other hand, consist of one continuous thin slice of potato that is then battered and deep fried.

What do Australians call potato cakes? ›

Here a 'scallop' refers to what we called a 'Tasmanian scallop' in Sydney. These days I call it a 'potato cake'. This causes much discussion between my Victorian born parents and us NSW kids! When I grew up, they were scallops or potato scallops, in Victoria they're potato cakes.

What states call potato scallops? ›

On social media, promotional posts lead to a number of impassioned followers disputing the fast-food giant's choice of name after it advertised the deep-fried potato snack as a scallop. In Queensland, NSW and the ACT, this is the preferred name for the takeaway staple, but in Victoria and Tasmania, it's potato cake.

What is another name for a potato scallop? ›

Much of South Australia chooses to call it a 'potato fritter' along with a tiny region of Western Australia. Meanwhile, a small laid-back region of New South Wales seems to opt for just 'scallop'.

Do Birdseye still make potato fritters? ›

Save this question. Birds eye sadly no longer make these, a very common potato side in the 70s and 80s which I'm trying to recreate. The batter was very light and golden, almost like a tempura batter, sort of flaky but crispy at the same time.

What do they call potato cakes in England? ›

What do British people call potato cakes? - Quora. It seems the Irish call them Potato bread, the English call them potato cakes (Lancashire), Scottish call them potato scones (tottie scones).

Does McDonald's have potato scallops? ›

“We've got the latest spins on your burger favourites, topped off with the debut of Potato Scallops with Chicken Salt and Hokey Pokey Thickshake.” “Whatever your plans are, we've got you covered, because nothing quite goes together like the great Aussie summer and Macca's.”

Why are scalloped potatoes called funeral potatoes? ›

Why are they called funeral potatoes? Funeral potatoes get their unique name from being a crowd-pleasing casserole served as a side dish at after-funeral luncheons (particularly in the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).

What is the real name for scalloped potatoes? ›

Potato-based

Sliced raw potatoes may also be baked in a liquid or sauce that steams them and forms a golden crust on top. In the US, the dish is referred to variously as funeral potatoes, potatoes au gratin, scalloped potatoes, or au gratin potatoes.

What are other names for potato scallops? ›

What do you call this potato snack? Much of South Australia chooses to call it a 'potato fritter' along with a tiny region of Western Australia. Meanwhile, a small laid-back region of New South Wales seems to opt for just 'scallop'.

What is an American scallop? ›

Scallops are bivalves (having two shells), like clams and oysters. The shells are held together by the adductor muscle (the part of the scallop Americans typically eat). Sea scallops have a saucer-shaped shell with scalloped or fluted edges. The upper shell is usually reddish-pink or brown in color.

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