My friends and I were pretty hyped to try Home Frite's new Mount Vernon location, especially since we'd seen all the drool-worthy photos online and the other locations had some solid reviews. The spot itself is clean, well-lit, and has a chill, modern vibe--nothing fancy, but definitely welcoming. When we walked in, there were just a handful of people inside and our order was already waiting for us, which was a good start. We ordered a classic chicken sandwich, a double cheeseburger, one of their signature hot dogs, and each of us got our own Dutch fries. We tried to get the loaded frites, but they were already unavailable when we ordered online, which was a little disappointing.
The real letdown, though, was the food. Even though we live less than five minutes away, the fries didn't hold up well on the short trip home. For a place that puts "frite" in the name, I had high hopes for something crispy and pillowy, but what we got was closer to thick-cut fries with good seasoning, but not the texture I was hoping for. The Dutch fries with curry ketchup and onions had great flavor, but they just didn't have that fresh-out-the-fryer magic--so if you go, definitely eat them on the spot and skip the takeout if you care about crispiness. The chicken sandwich was another miss for me. The chicken was dry, the breading was loose, and the whole thing was kind of saved by the sauce, but not enough to make it memorable. The chicken itself was really dark, which made me wonder if the oil was old or if it just got overcooked. Either way, it didn't have the crunch or juiciness you want from a fried chicken sandwich.
The double cheeseburger was actually the best thing we tried. It was juicy and had a decent amount of caramelized onions--though heads up, the onions are under the patty, not on top, so don't go digging for them. It didn't come with lettuce or tomato by default, so if you want the works, you'll have to ask. The burger was solid, just not mind-blowing. We also split a chicken salad, but the chicken was dry and a little bland, though the lettuce was fresh. Honestly, the salad felt like an afterthought. The hot dog was another "almost but not quite" situation. Ours was missing some toppings, like the green onions listed on the menu, and while the cheese sauce was pretty good, the dog itself was just average. I've definitely had better at other places.
All in all, the service was great and the space is nice, but the food just didn't live up to the hype or the expectations set by their online presence. Maybe I set the bar too high, but when you call yourself Home Frite, the fries need to be next-level, and these just weren't. If you're local and want a quick bite, it's fine, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it unless they make some changes, especially with the takeout packaging. If you do check it out, make sure to eat your fries there for the best experience. For now, I'm giving Home Frite three stars--good for a neighborhood meal, but not a destination spot. read more