Why Kolachi In NYC Serves Its French Fries With A Side Of Maple Syrup

Kolachi Rolls and Fries, a restaurant in New York City, has introduced a unique dipping sauce for its fries: maple syrup. While it may sound odd to us here in the U.S., such a combination is more common in Pakistan, where fries are often sold with a sweet sauce.

The East Village eatery calls its fries "Diesel Fries," but don't worry, as no diesel is used to make them.  Instead, the name is a nod to the street vendors in the owners' native Pakistan. French fries served with a sweet sauce are a popular street food there, and the smell of the diesel fuel used to power the vendors' generators will always be connected to french fries for Kolachi's proprietors.

The fries are lightly spiced and cost $4.50 for a small bag. The spices, when combined with the syrup, create a unique savory and sweet combination that isn't unlike dipping your fries in your milkshake, as many Americans do when they order fries alongside a Wendy's Frosty.

Kolachi has a very small menu. Besides Diesel Fries, it sells Pakistani paratha rolls, a flaky rolled flatbread that's stuffed with your choice of beef, chicken, or vegetables (it's also a handy word to know when dining at an Indian restaurant). The interior of the restaurant is unassuming, with tall chairs at counters facing the street outside. But as paratha rolls and many other items on the menu are based on street food, it's no wonder that many people take their orders to go.

Americans traditionally dip french fries in ketchup, but diners in other countries have their own unique way of adding flavor to fries. In Belgium, they use mayonnaise; in Vietnam, they dip them in butter and sugar; and we all know about the Canadians and their savory poutine. In other words, french fries are the palette, and you get to choose the paint.

Kolachi is located at 103 1st Avenue on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It's open until midnight every night, so it's handy if you need some maple-dipped fries after a night on the town. It sure beats stopping at one of the many McDonald's locations in the world.