Unearth The Voyage
New England has a serious love affair with potatoes, and it shows in every corner of the region. From crispy fries cooked in duck fat to donuts made with Maine spuds, local restaurants have turned this humble vegetable into something truly special. Whether you’re craving poutine with all the fixings or a pizza topped with creamy mashed potatoes, these fifteen spots prove that potatoes are way more than just a side dish around here.
1. The Holy Donut’s Maine Potato Donuts – Portland (and beyond), Maine
Potatoes in donuts might sound strange at first, but The Holy Donut has perfected this unusual combination into something magical. Using real Maine potatoes in their batter creates a texture that’s incredibly soft and almost custardy inside.
Each bite feels richer and more satisfying than your typical donut. The potato adds moisture without making things heavy, and the result is a treat that keeps customers coming back daily.
With multiple locations now spreading across Maine, this bakery has proven that innovation pays off. Their flavors range from classic glazed to creative seasonal options. The potato base works beautifully with every topping they try, making each visit an adventure worth taking.
2. Duckfat’s Duck-Fat Fries + Duck Confit Poutine – Portland, Maine
Cooking fries in duck fat might sound fancy, but it’s really just about maximizing flavor and crispiness. Duckfat restaurant has built its reputation on this simple yet brilliant idea, and their poutine takes things even further.
The Belgian-style fries get an ultra-crispy exterior while staying fluffy inside. When you add cheese curds and savory gravy, you’ve got comfort food that feels both familiar and elevated at the same time.
People travel specifically to Portland just to taste these fries, and the restaurant’s popularity hasn’t dimmed over the years. The duck confit poutine version adds even more richness with tender pulled duck meat. It’s indulgent, satisfying, and absolutely worth the calories.
3. Pier French Fries’ Boardwalk Bucket – Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Nothing captures summer in Maine quite like grabbing a bucket of fries on the Old Orchard Beach pier. Pier French Fries has been serving fresh-cut potatoes to beachgoers for years, creating memories with every salty handful.
The experience is as much about location as it is about taste. Walking along the boardwalk with your fry bucket, hearing seagulls overhead, and feeling the ocean breeze makes everything taste better.
They operate seasonally, which makes each visit feel special and anticipated. The fries themselves are simple, crispy, and perfectly salted without any fancy additions needed. Sometimes the best food is the kind that reminds you of carefree summer days and simpler pleasures worth savoring again and again.
4. Highroller’s HIGHFRIES (Old Bay Fries) + Maine Red Potato Salad – Portland, Maine
Highroller brings serious attitude to their potato game with HIGHFRIES that pack a flavorful punch. These shoestring fries get tossed with Old Bay seasoning, giving them that distinctive Maryland-meets-Maine vibe that works surprisingly well.
The thin cut means maximum crispiness and plenty of surface area for seasoning to stick. Every bite delivers that tangy, slightly spicy Old Bay flavor that’s become a cult favorite across New England.
They also offer a Maine red potato salad that showcases local spuds in a completely different way. The combination of hot, crispy fries and cool, creamy potato salad on one menu shows real versatility. Both dishes prove that potatoes can shine whether they’re fried golden or dressed up cold with herbs and mayo.
5. OTTO Pizza’s Mashed Potato, Bacon & Scallion Pie – Maine & Massachusetts
OTTO Pizza took a risk when they started putting mashed potatoes on pizza, and it paid off big time. Their signature pie combines creamy mashed potatoes with smoky bacon and fresh scallions for a flavor combination that’s now iconic across New England.
The idea sounds weird until you taste it, then everything makes perfect sense. The potatoes provide a rich, creamy base that works like sauce, while bacon adds saltiness and scallions bring brightness.
With locations across Maine and Massachusetts, they’ve made this unusual pizza a regional staple. People who were skeptical at first often become the biggest fans after one slice. It’s comfort food reimagined in pizza form, and it proves that breaking the rules sometimes creates the best results.
6. Chez Vachon’s Classic Poutine – Manchester, New Hampshire
At Chez Vachon, poutine isn’t some trendy addition to the menu. This beloved Francophone diner has been serving the classic Quebecois dish long before it became fashionable elsewhere, and they do it with authentic care.
Their version sticks to tradition with crispy fries, squeaky cheese curds, and rich brown gravy that soaks in without making things soggy. It’s the kind of comfort food that warms you from the inside out, especially on cold New Hampshire days.
The diner atmosphere adds to the experience, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a little piece of French Canada. Regulars know this is one of New England’s most reliable spots for poutine done right. No fancy twists or modern interpretations needed here, just honest, delicious tradition.
7. Eastern Standard’s Steak Frites – Boston, Massachusetts
When you want fries that feel a little more refined, Eastern Standard delivers with their classic Steak Frites. This Boston brasserie understands that sometimes the best potato dish is simply perfect fries served alongside a beautifully cooked steak.
Their frites are crispy, golden, and exactly what you’d hope for in a French-inspired restaurant. The menu offers multiple frites options because they know potatoes deserve star billing, not just supporting roles.
The atmosphere elevates the entire experience, making it feel special without being stuffy. These aren’t just fries you grab on the go; they’re part of a meal worth savoring slowly. Eastern Standard proves that even the simplest potato preparations can feel elegant when executed with skill and care in the right setting.
8. Sullivan’s Castle Island Crinkle-Cut Fries — Boston, Massachusetts
Sullivan’s has been a Boston institution for decades, and their crinkle-cut fries are a big reason why. Located right by Castle Island, this old-school takeout spot serves up nostalgia with every order.
The crinkle-cut style might seem retro, but it’s perfect for holding onto salt and creating that satisfying texture contrast. Eating them outside with the harbor breeze and seagulls circling overhead is practically a Boston rite of passage.
Locals have been coming here for generations, and the menu hasn’t changed much because it doesn’t need to. The fries are simple, reliable, and exactly what you want after a walk around Castle Island. Sometimes the best food isn’t about innovation but about consistency and tradition done right year after year.
9. Saus’ Hand-Cut Fries + Scratch-Made Sauces – Boston & Somerville, Massachusetts
Saus built an entire restaurant concept around the idea that fries deserve to be taken seriously. Their hand-cut, twice-fried approach creates the perfect texture, while their scratch-made sauces turn dipping into an art form.
With a whole menu dedicated to sauces, you can treat your fries like a tasting flight. From classic to adventurous flavors, there’s something for every mood and preference.
The twice-frying technique means extra crispy exteriors with fluffy insides that stay hot longer. Their cult following proves that people appreciate quality and creativity when it comes to something as simple as French fries. Locations in both Boston and Somerville make it easy to get your fix, and the sauce central vibe keeps things fun and interactive.
10. Ellie’s Poutine (Bistro-Style) – Providence, Rhode Island
Ellie’s brings a bistro sensibility to the classic poutine, making it feel both comforting and a little bit fancy. Their version features all the essential elements with fries, cheese curds, and gravy prepared with care and attention to detail.
The bistro approach means ingredients are high-quality and the presentation is thoughtful. It’s poutine that works equally well for a casual lunch or a more intentional dinner out.
Providence has embraced this spot as a neighborhood favorite, and the poutine is a big reason why people keep returning. The dish strikes that perfect balance between rustic comfort food and refined execution. When you want poutine but also want to feel like you’re treating yourself to something special, this is where you go in Rhode Island.
11. Ogie’s Loaded Tater Tots – Providence, Rhode Island
Tater tots might remind you of school cafeterias, but Ogie’s transforms them into something you’d actually choose for a night out. Their loaded versions pile on toppings that turn these little potato bites into a full meal.
The crispy exterior and soft interior of properly cooked tots make them perfect for loading up with cheese, bacon, and other indulgent additions. Each bite delivers different flavors and textures, keeping things interesting from start to finish.
Ogie’s has regular hours and a menu that celebrates fun, shareable food that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The tots have developed their own following among locals who appreciate comfort food done with creativity. It’s proof that even the most humble potato product can become something crave-worthy with the right treatment and toppings.
12. Maudite Poutine’s House Poutine – Burlington, Vermont
Burlington has its very own dedicated poutine spot, and Maudite takes the Quebec classic seriously. Their house poutine sticks to the core formula of fries, cheese curds, and gravy, but executes it with the kind of care that makes all the difference.
The name itself nods to Quebec culture, creating that connection between Vermont and its French-Canadian neighbors. The comfort level is high here, with dishes that warm you up after a cold day exploring Burlington.
Having a restaurant devoted entirely to poutine shows just how much this dish has become part of New England food culture. The focus allows them to perfect every element, from fry crispiness to gravy richness. It’s a Vermont-meets-Quebec experience that feels authentic and satisfying every single time.
13. Al’s French Frys’ Classic Stand Fries – South Burlington, Vermont
Al’s French Frys is a Vermont summer tradition that locals wait for all year long. This long-running fry stand keeps things beautifully simple with fresh-cut potatoes cooked to golden perfection and served hot in paper containers.
There’s something special about eating fries in your car with the windows down on a warm Vermont evening. The stand operates seasonally, which makes each visit feel like a celebration of summer itself.
No fancy toppings or complicated preparations here, just really good fries done the old-fashioned way. The salty, crispy simplicity is exactly what you want after a day at the lake or a drive through the Green Mountains. Al’s proves that sometimes the most memorable food experiences come from the most straightforward preparations and nostalgic settings.
14. BAR’s Mashed Potato & Bacon Pizza – New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is famous for pizza, and BAR helped pioneer one of the most unusual styles you’ll find anywhere. Their mashed potato and bacon pizza sounds bizarre until you remember that potatoes and bacon are already a perfect pairing.
The creamy mashed potatoes spread across the crust create a rich base that’s different from traditional tomato sauce. Bacon adds the salty, smoky element that makes each slice irresistible, and the combination has become a must-try for pizza pilgrims visiting New Haven.
BAR is widely credited with popularizing this style, and their version remains the standard others try to match. It’s creative without being gimmicky, and it proves that pizza innovation didn’t stop with the classics. This is the kind of dish that converts skeptics into believers with just one bite.
15. Fire Engine Pizza Company’s Loaded Mashed Potato Pizza – Milford/Bridgeport/Shelton, Connecticut
Fire Engine Pizza Company has turned their Loaded Mashed Potato Pizza into something of a signature dish across their Connecticut locations. This pie goes all-in with garlic mashed potatoes, scallions, bacon, caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese piled onto their crust.
Even the owners have called this one of their top items, and it’s easy to see why once you taste it. Every ingredient works together to create layers of flavor that keep you coming back for another slice.
The pizza shows up on delivery menus and remains a customer favorite year-round. It’s the kind of comfort food that feels indulgent but also somehow hits all the right notes. With locations in Milford, Bridgeport, and Shelton, it’s become a Connecticut staple that proves mashed potato pizza is here to stay.
