The French Fry Capital of the World: Making a Potato Pilgrimage

If you’re heading to New Brunswick, a stop in Florenceville-Bristol, the French Fry Capital of the World, is a must. Whether you’re making a quick visit or coming for a longer stay, Maureen Littlejohn guides you through the top spots to savour the region’s renowned potato delights and uncover the history behind this potato paradise.

Potato World Exterior. French Fry Capital of the World.
Potato World Exterior. Photo Credit: Maureen Littlejohn

In New Brunswick, the humble potato is king – in a global way. This was just one of the fascinating facts I learned on a recent road trip to the Maritime province with my husband, Steve.  

Chancing Upon a Land of Chips and Fries 

On our way to Saint John, we stumbled upon Florenceville-Bristol, the French Fry Capital of the World. We both love all things potato and had no idea that this location would be one of the highlights of our trip.

What made it so great? We sampled delicious potato products, cavorted on the longest-covered bridge in the world, learned the secret to making the best chips ever, and had a few tipples at an award-winning distillery with a moonshine legacy. 

Discovering the Heart of the McCain Empire 

Located in the Saint John River Valley, Florenceville-Bristol is a potato paradise. For miles, all you see are fields of potato plants. Why was this area popular for potato growing? Florenceville-Bristol soil is so packed with nutrition that it provides higher-than-normal yields – one of the secrets that make the area the French Fry Capital of the World. 

McCains Products French Fry Capital of the World
McCain’s Products. Photo Credit: Maureen Littlejohn

We were in the heart of the McCain frozen french fry empire. The company, which delivers crispy golden batons to customers around the world, was started in 1957 by brothers Wallace, Harrison, Robert, and Andrew McCain. Florenceville-Bristol was their hometown. Today, McCain Foods Canada produces one-third of all frozen french fries consumed globally. 

Delicious Fun at Potato World 

Just across the river from the McCain production plant, we came across the Potato World Museum. Touring the exhibits, we learned of the many types of tubers and saw some of the farm machinery historically used to cultivate and harvest the starchy vegetables. Plus, there was the Potato World Hall of Recognition, which recognized the achievements of New Brunswickers in the industry and featured McCain family members prominently.

Potato World Sign. French Fry Capital of the World.
Potato World Sign. Photo Credit: Maureen Littlejohn

A highlight of the museum was its café, which was jammed with locals for lunch. The sandwich and burger platters were varied and of great value, but it was the potato-centric offerings that I found astounding. 

French fry charcuterie boards included two choices of differently seasoned fries (Outbacka had bacon and cheese melted on top) and six different sauces (including maple bacon, Siracha mayo, and parmesan herb). There was also potato soup, smoothies, and chocolate potato cake.

Potato World Museum is open seasonally from May to October. Admission was $6 for adults, students under 18 were $4, and family rate for 4+ was $23.

Tucking into the Best Potato Chips Ever 

A short drive away from the museum, we came to Covered Bridge Potato Chips. I must admit I have a bit of an addiction to the salty, crispy snack, and during a road trip like this, I could not resist temptation. 

Chips Production. French Fry Capital of the World.
Chips Production. Photo Credit: Maureen Littlejohn

On a tour of the potato processing plant (self-guided or guided for groups with an appointment) we viewed exhibits that explained that the chip factory opened in 2006 and is an expansion of Albright Farms, run by Ryan, Matthew, and Shaun Albright. In the 1920s, their great-grandfather worked the fields while their great-grandmother came up with the recipe for kettle-cooked deliciousness.

At Albright Farms, the potatoes are seeded yearly from eyes (the knobby sprouts that grow out of the tuber), and special vacuum-type machinery is used to harvest them. Two to three million pounds of Dark Russets are washed, chopped, and deep-fried yearly to meet the demand for these addictive snacks. 

A little different from Lay’s or Hostess, these potato chips still possess some skin. “We leave it on because it contains Vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6,” Fin Brown, assistant supervisor of the gift shop, explained. 

Watching the chips come out of the fryer, I noticed an employee picking out all the imperfect slices. “Local hog operations get the second-grade chips. The pigs love them. You get good bacon from those pigs,” confirmed Brown.

A heaping bag of fresh kettle-cooked chips was our reward as we left the production area. With my warm loot bag in hand, I headed into the customer service area and was met with a line-up of flavour shakers. I prefer my chips with only a dusting of sea salt, but I was astounded at the choices. Along with dill, sour cream, and BBQ, there was lobster, loaded hotdog, pepperoni, and even candyfloss. “Some of those we only sell as season specials,” Brown explained.

Flavour Shakers. French Fry Capital of the World.
Flavour Shakers at Covered Bridge Potato Chips. Photo Credit: Maureen Littlejohn

Covered Bridge Potato Chips can be found in grocery stores and retail outlets around the world — and after coming home to Toronto, I was excited to find them in our local Bulk Barn.

At the time of my visit, Covered Bridge Potato Chips was open year-round, seven days a week in the summer and Monday to Friday in the winter. Admission for the tour was $5 for adults, $3 for children 6-14, and free for children under 5.

Smooching on the Covered Bridge for Luck  

After our tour, Finn directed us to Hartland Covered Bridge, just down the road. The bridge was completed in 1901 to cross the Saint John River. Built for carriages, it is 1282 feet long and became a National Historic Site in 1980. It is the longest covered bridge that still exists in the world.

Hartland Covered Bridge. French Fry Capital of the World.
Hartland Covered Bridge. Photo Credit: Maureen Littlejohn

“The saying goes that if you hold your breath for the entire crossing, your wish comes true. Plus, a kiss in the middle will give you good luck. That’s known as the ‘Kissing toll,’” explained Brown.

I couldn’t hold my breath that long, but Steve puckered up and made sure good luck would come my way.

Award-Winning Whisky at Moonshine Creek

All this potato talk was making us thirsty. Our next stop was nearby Moonshine Creek Distillery, owned by brothers Jeremiah and Joshua Clark. Ponying up to the bar for a wee dram, Jeremiah told us his grandfather Henderson was a butcher and sold moonshine on the side. “If you asked for a T-bone in a certain way, you’d get a pint of moonshine with it. He made it in his backyard.” Jeremiah said with a wink.

The distillery started in 2018 with whiskey and rum as its main goals. The brothers know their business. Last year, their Downriver Whisky received a gold medal in the Mixed Grain Mash Whiskey category at the Canadian Whisky Awards.

Moonshine Flavours. French Fry Capital of the World
Moonshine Flavours. Photo Credit: Maureen Littlejohn

During our tasting session, operations manager Justin Marcoux noted that flavoured liqueurs are the distillery’s bread and butter. My favourite? Chicken Bones — a New Brunswick cinnamon candy covered in chocolate. 

Accommodation to Consider

Amsterdam Inn & Suites in Florenceville-Bristol is the newest in a small New Brunswick chain. With 78 guestrooms, you can choose from a variety of rooms, including two queen beds or a one-king bed suite with a separate living area and full kitchen. Plus, there are pet-friendly rooms, and parking is free. Amenities included a fitness center, business center, and guest laundry. 

A generous inclusion was the free hot breakfast, plate-served, in the hotel’s full-service restaurant, Exit 153. The menu included yogurt and granola, omelets, pancakes, and eggs cooked to order with hash browns, toast, bacon, ham, or sausage. The restaurant was a good place for lunch and dinner as well. The menu offered salads, soups, sandwiches, pasta, chicken, beef and seafood dishes.

Road trips are all about adventure and discovery. In this case, it was an eye-opener for us to learn about New Brunswick’s agricultural history and Florenceville-Bristol’s role as world french fry dominator.  

Do you need a reason to visit the French Fry Capital of the World? If you love a potato, this is the place to visit.

Update: Covered Bridge Fire (You Can Still Buy Their Chips)

In March 2024, the Covered Bridge facility went up in flames. Absolutely nothing was left. But it is not the end of the story. The plucky company has pulled up its socks and contracted co-packers (other facilities that produce a product to your specifications) to fulfill its orders. In fact, I bought some from Bulk Barn recently and am happy to say they are spot on to the original recipe. 

Covered Bridge Popup. French Fry Capital of the World
Covered Bridge Popup. Photo Credit: Western New Brunswick Tourism

There are plans to rebuild the plant in the same location, but in the meantime, it will be worth your while to swing by as the chips are definitely not down. “To maintain our connection with our loyal customers and visitors, we are launching a pop-up gift shop at our previous factory location,” explained Megan Cullins, the company’s marketing manager. Tourists will be happy to know they can still stop by, pick up their favourite flavour, and support the company in its recovery efforts. The pop-up will be open seven days a week.

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