Tater tots

Tater tots are grated potato formed into small cylinders and deep-fried, often served as a side dish.[1] "Tater" is a dialect form of the word potato.[3] The name "tater tot" is a registered trademark of the American frozen food company Ore-Ida, but is often used as a generic term.[4] Ore-Ida also markets a coin-shaped version called "Crispy Crowns".[5]

History

Tater tots were developed in 1953 when American frozen food company Ore-Ida founders F. Nephi Grigg, Golden Grigg, and Ross Erin Butler Sr. were trying to devise a recipe to use leftover slivers of cut potatoes that would otherwise be thrown away.

Usage

Asia

Tater tots, locally known as mat-gamja, are a common bunsik item in Korea.[17] They are often served in a paper cup, with drizzled sweet gochujang-based sauce.

Europe

In the United Kingdom, Ross Frozen Foods once produced "Oven Crunchies", although generic versions remain widely available. McCain Foods currently produce "Hash Brown Potato Bites" that are similar to classic tater tots. Birds Eye also have "Hash Brown Potato Bites" in their "Chicken Shop" range.

North America

In Canada, McCain Foods Limited calls its line "Tasti Taters".[18] In the United States, tater tots are common at school-lunch counters and cafeterias.[19] They are also sold in the frozen food sections of grocery stores.[19] Some fast-food restaurants also offer them.

Supermarket chain Safeway sells a generic brand of tater tots known as "Tater Treats". Cascadian Farm calls its line "Spud Puppies". Sonic drive-in also features tater tots on their regular menu: available toppings include cheese and chili. Sonic also sells "Cheesy Tots", coin-shaped tots that contain melted cheese and potatoes. Several restaurants in the Pacific Northwest offer a nacho version of tots known as "totchos", covered in nacho cheese sauce and toppings. Totchos were invented by publican Jim Parker in Portland, Oregon.[20]

Some Mexican-style fast-food restaurants offer seasoned tater tots: Taco Time and Señor Frog's call them "Mexi-Fries", while Taco Bell used to sell them as "Mexi-Nuggets" and "Border Fries". Taco Mayo in the Southwest offers round disc-shaped tater tots called "Potato Locos". Taco John's also has coin shaped tots called "Potato Olés".

Food franchises Potato Corner and Papa John's also offer tater tots in select locations, though in the latter case these are branded as "Potato Tots".

Oceania

In Australia and New Zealand, they are known as "potato gems", "potato royals", or "potato pom-poms". The New Zealand Pizza Hut franchise offers "Hash Bites" as a side dish, available alone or with an aioli dipping sauce.

country	United States
region	Ontario, Oregon
creator	F. Nephi Grigg, and Golden Grigg‡R1R‡ (in 1953)
course	Entrée or side dish, sometimes as part of a main course
main ingredient	Potato
variations	Veggie tots
calories	(serving size: 86 g) 160‡R2R‡