The Potato Project: More than just fries

The concept blends creativity and tradition by introducing an iconic Amsterdam-style delicacy to Lisbon, featuring locally sourced potatoes, innovative toppings, and sauces to elevate the simple french fry into a customisable treat for all tastes.

Unlike many other establishments that rely on frozen produce, the Potato Project cuts and prepares each potato in-house daily. “From farm to table, the potatoes are the core of the business. We don’t use frozen fries or products with additives, and we’re 100 percent lactose and gluten-free”, Jeremy and Robert, founders of Potato Project, told The Portugal News.

Introducing the concept

“I had spent a lot of time in Amsterdam and noticed how popular these types of frites were, they’ve been going on for nearly 100 years”, Jeremy recounted. “When I came to Lisbon, I didn’t see anything like that here. So, I thought it would be a great opportunity to introduce something different.”

It wasn’t long before Jeremy met Robert, who was living in Cascais, and the two decided to join forces. Together, they travelled to Amsterdam for market research, exploring an abundance of frite shops and learning from the best. “We didn’t want to just serve frozen fries in a cone with ketchup or mayonnaise, we wanted to try and elevate it”, Robert mentioned.

“We got all the equipment that is used in the top frite shops in Amsterdam, in terms of the fryer, sauces and oil. We were actually the first to bring this type of machinery into Portugal, to make these frites”, Jeremy continued. “We get the potatoes straight from the source, wash the soil off in the shop, and fry them the traditional way, just like they do in Amsterdam and Belgium.”

Known for their smooth, yellow flesh and tubular shape, Agria potatoes are a unique Portuguese variety, giving the fries a distinct taste that sets them apart. “It’s quite a seasonal growth cycle, you can’t just use potatoes from the supermarket, they have to be the right size with a specific starch content because our fries are 12mm thick and long, so we want to make sure that each customer is getting a really good cone of fries, and maintain the quality of potato all year round.”

Personalised experience

The fries are served in cones, with options for small, medium, or large. Visitors can choose from an array of 13 sauces, such as traditional Dutch mayo, truffle mayo, piri-piri, guacamole, and curry, all made in-house using a base sourced from the Netherlands. Additionally, there’s a selection of fresh toppings, including three types of cheese – cheddar, parmesan, and Azores cheese – along with extras such as crispy bacon, spring onions, and arugula.

“We also highly recommend our specialty fries, where the flavour pairings have been expertly crafted”, Robert said. For example, the Truffled Fries are topped with mayonnaise, spring onion, and arugula, while the New York Fries come with cocktail sauce, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and dill pickles.

The Potato Project is all about offering guests the freedom to build their own “loaded” cone of fries, with endless possibilities for creating a personalised masterpiece. Inspired by the walkable nature of Lisbon, with its parks, viewpoints, and rich history, the concept was designed to give people the option of enjoying a delicious cone of fries as they explore the city, just like in other European destinations.

While the shop offers a cozy space with seating for 12 and a standing bar, the idea is to encourage customers to grab their fries and experience Lisbon on foot, making it the ideal snack for a day of sightseeing.

Potato paradise

Since opening their first store at Lisbon’s Rua da Conceição in November 2022, the Potato Project has become a favourite among visitors and residents. The shop see long queues, especially on weekends, with crowds flocking to enjoy the fresh cut fries.

While they are still in the early stages of growth, Jeremy and Robert are already looking toward expanding further. They are set to open a new store in Bairro Alto, a lively neighbourhood in Lisbon, and are also planning a location in Porto. In addition, a franchise in Albufeira has already been launched, and they are actively researching more locations in the Algarve region.

The focus on quality is evident in every aspect of the Potato Project’s operations, from the sourcing of the potatoes to crafting custom sauces and toppings. The fresh approach has garnered a loyal following, and the brand’s accessibility is a key part of its success.

“A cone of fries with a sauce included is just €3, €4, or €5, as we want to make sure that everyone, whether local or tourist, can enjoy our fries at an affordable price range”, Jeremy assured. “We don’t want to it to feel like we’re capitalising on the tourism of Lisbon, around half of our customers are Portuguese families, locals and students, which is something that we prioritise.”

They are also exploring new ideas, such as offering seasonal products like homemade Dutch Stroopwafels – cinnamon-syrup waffles – and a variety of craft beers, wines and sodas to complement the fries.

More than just fries

Fries often get a bad reputation as being something unhealthy, but this approach is changing the narrative by focusing on the potato’s natural essence. “Our process involves preserving the raw integrity and true taste of the potato, by being able to create your own combinations we try to make the fries into something that’s more than a chippie”.

“The motivation is doing all the basics right, to perfect the fries, and then from there to customise it in a more premium way that we offer a different type of value to our guests”, Jeremy concluded. “We want to be a staple in Portugal.”

The Potato Project’s mission is to bring the best fries to Portugal while offering an authentic, locally inspired experience. As they continue to innovate and evolve, they hope to influence more people to see fries as more than just fast food, but as a high-quality, customisable snack suitable for all.

A journalist that’s always eager to learn about new things. With a passion for travel, adventure and writing about this diverse world of ours.

“Wisdom begins in wonder” -  Socrates

Kate Sreenarong