Stan's Fries: A History

A familiar smell has been greeting residents and visitors of Brantford’s downtown for more than 70 years: the smell of freshly frying fries with just a hint of malt vinegar. To many locals, this is a staple of their take-out routine, and a big part of why Stan’s Fries has been called “the best fries in Canada”.

 In 1950, Albert Wawzonek purchased an existing food truck and he and a friend were granted permission by Brantford’s City Hall to set up semi-permanent chip wagons at the corners of Market and Dalhousie and Market and Colborne Streets as well as George and Dalhousie Street. Albert’s business was named “Stan’s Fries” after his son, Stan. Although there was some backlash from local restauranteurs, claiming the wagons had an unfair advantage over their brick and mortar properties, there was no such feud between the wagon owners. They worked in support of one another, often sharing supplies during large rushes. The wagon owners would co-ordinate their days off to ensure there was always a chip wagon operating at Market Square so each operator could have a day off. When construction began on the Eaton Market Square in the early 1980’s, the chip wagon moved across the street from the Sanderson Centre and then moved again when Harmony Square was built, to its present location near the Brantford bus terminal. In the early 1980’s a second truck was opened in the former Towers Plaza, now the Toys “R” Us/Zehrs plaza in the north end of Brantford.

Today, Stan’s Fries is operated by the third generation of the Wawzonek family. The recipe for Stan’s Fries has not changed since its inception - fresh cut potatoes, grown locally, fried in pure lard, and doused with lots of salt and cider vinegar. This simplicity is what keeps Stan’s Fries tasting the same, every generation. Today Stan’s Fries is a Brantford institution with fry trucks at Fairview Crossing, 410 West Street and at the Brantford Bus Terminal, 64 Darling Street, in downtown Brantford.

Photo Credits: Restaurant Guru