When a food establishment becomes synonymous with one item, you have to know that they must do something special. And for people in the Mid-Atlantic area that go to Ocean City, Maryland, the name Thrasher’s instantly conjures up the best french fries in the world.

Located right at the inlet part of the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, Thrasher’s has been serving up potatoes deep fried in 100% peanut oil since 1929. And what makes them doubly special is that is the only thing they serve. All you need to do is pick the container size you want. They will sell you a fountain soda to wash it down, but there are no other food items on the menu.

Another thing that you won’t find on the menu is ketchup. They don’t offer any, and all of the places around Thrasher’s have agreed not to give ketchup to people. As a matter of fact, there are signs that specifically mention not to ask for ketchup. Instead of the second most popular condiment in the U.S. (salsa is now #1), people pour malt vinegar and salt on top of the fries. For some in the reading audience this may sound odd, but I am here to tell you that once you eat fries this way, you may never use ketchup again!

As a kid, I remember going to Ocean City and seeing ridiculous lines of people waiting for their turns to order at Thrasher’s. Now there are multiple locations on the seashore, but the original location still draws a long line in the summer. I recently had the joy of taking my children (french fry connoisseurs that they are), and they also found them to be the best. But don’t take our word for it…. you have to taste the fries and smell the ocean air to get the full sensation.