Thrasher's Fries on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland
My son-in-law is coming to Ocean City this weekend, and one of his favorite places to go is Thrasher's Fries. J.T. Thrasher opened this little store on the Boardwalk in 1929. He started frying his potatoes in peanut oil and they are still made that way today. Thrasher's buys potatoes by the train car in 100 pound sacks! During the season and on popular weekends in the off-season, you'll see long lines of people patiently waiting to get their fix of plump, perfectly fried potatoes. Try them with apple cider vinegar. Yummy!
A word of caution: A month ago, while walking the boards, we picked up a cup of fries, poured them into one of the cardboard trays they provide (makes it easier to sprinkle whatever condiment you choose on all of the fries) and headed to our car in the inlet parking lot. We were happily munching away when we noticed a large group of seagulls "waiting" by our car. I swear one of them must of said "Now!" (okay it's possible they smelled my delicious fries) and they all started flying our way. Soon we were surrounded by squawking gulls, staring menacingly at my fries. I felt like I was in Alfred Hitchcock's "Birds" movie! I passed the fries to my husband, hoping he could get them safely to the car, but moving through the sea of gulls was impossible. He finally threw the fries to the gulls and we jumped in the car. I swear I saw the gulls doing a couple of high fives and heard them laughing as we closed the car door!
The sea gulls never bother us on the boardwalk, but in the off-season they evidently rule the parking lot area. Take my advice and eat your fries on the boardwalk....don't attempt to get them past the gang of french fry-stealing gulls that rule the parking lot!
