Few can deny the succulence of the potato. Its many and varied forms, as well as its ability to grow in nearly almost any terrain and weather, make it one of the most commonly shared menu items cross-culturally. Its diversity is undeniable; its utter deliciosity difficult- nay, impossible to argue.
Be it mashed, fried, baked, homefried, hashbrowned, scalloped, cheese-i-fied, casseroled, McDonalds’d, or even vodka’d… the potato is a marvelous and majestic creature in any form.
There is one special hat the potato wears, however… one that a person of any age can appreciate, be it your first encounter with said unique form, or if it brings back the strongest sense of nostalgia for lunch ladies in hairnets doling out healthy portions of sloppy joe, or the joy that was the realization of the ever exciting “chicken patty day”.
I speak of course, my friends, of the potato’s most original and crispiest shape…
The Mighty Tater Tot.
I weep for the child who might live out his or her school days with nary a taste of this gem among lunch sidedishes. No one denies the revered deliciousness of the French Fry; truly, these are simply apples and oranges that happen to share the same “roots”. They are, if you will, the original two “brothers from another mother”.
But the French Fry is an everyday occurrence; we expect it to pop in and say hello. The Tater Tot is an unexpected delight when it appears, like a proud son coming home from war. We are at once overjoyed at its presence and relieved to know that despite our underlying fear of its disappearance from our lives forever, the Tot does indeed live on.
As a tribute to the great Tot, with its endless crisp and unparalleled ability to comfort even the most heavyhearted of souls, I hereby humbly submit to the District of Columbia a self-created map of all the saintly bars and restaurants who are smart enough to carry this magnificent creature on their menus. No longer will it be a shiny unicorn eluding us at every turn! We can now seek it out on those hungover Sunday mornings, and plan our Happy Hours around its holy presence.
I give you, dear friends…
The Map of The Great Tot.
Click to enlarge (twss)
1. Tonic, Mt. Pleasant 6. Hamilton’s
2. Tonic, Foggy Bottom 7. Sticky Rice
4. The Bottom Line 9. Solly’s Tavern
5. BLT Steakhouse 10. Duffy’s Irish Pub
For those of you not in D.C., my deepest apologies that your hunt for Tatery Tot goodness must go on. But I urge you to take initiative, and help your fellow townsmen and women, so that they too might be able to enjoy the elusive yet most magical form of potato… whenever their hearts desire.
{ 162 comments }
Jesus H. Christ.
Thanks a lot.
I had written the exact same post today.
Bitch.
Also, do you think pedophiles keep a local “Map of the great tots?”
Just throwing that out there.
I’m so ashamed I didn’t see that coming.
Lilu, give me some of your tots.
Come on, give me some of your tots!
Hahaha! I was trying to work that in, but it just didn’t seem to fit. Glad you did
This may shock and sadden you, but I don’t know what Tater Tots are called in England, or even if we have them.
Perhaps I should have warned you might want to sit down first.
Thus ends my lifelong dream of living in London.
Potato croquets! Yeah… We’re cool.
I’m going to trust your judgement that they are the same…
not wanting to make you cry but…we don’t have tater-tots in England and as far as i am aware never have had
Please see my response above. *tear*
I must say that I prefer the potato skin to tater tots.
Maybe I just haven’t found the right tot yet.
Oh, well. You say potato… I say patahto.
Well, sure. You add cheese and bacon to anything and it’s gonna win… I am talking potato against potato in its TRUE forms, here!
This? “Be it mashed, fried, baked, homefried, hashbrowned, scalloped, cheese-i-fied, casseroled, McDonalds’d, or even vodka’d… the potato is a marvelous and majestic creature in any form.” My favorite sentence of all time.
Honestly? I think I’m prouder of this post than most.
Yeah, I know that’s sad.
I’ll be honest- I’m not a potato fan- mashed, baked, whateva- not for me. But the tator tot…oh the tator tot. I seriously make tator tots with dinner once or twice a week. I fuckin love tator tots. And when I visit DC, I will be sure to bring your tator tot map with me.
I am honored… but not surprised.
I served up these wonderful little potatoes a couple weeks ago when my son had a friend over for dinner… You would have thought I just served them the rarest food found on earth – They were so excited to have Tator Tots with dinner. I was a great Mom that day.
Oh, I can only imagine their cherub-cheeked joy!
Ooohhh, I miss Bourbon’s tater tots!!!
I did find a place here in Boston—in Cambridge, actually—that serves old-school, absolutely delicious tots: The Cellar. Yeah, I know, the name doesn’t make the place sound all that appealing, but the food and beers are fantastic!
Well done. And for the record, “The Cellar” sounds EXACTLY like a place I would hang.
Tots rule.
They’re like the crispy balls hanging beneath a mighty Hashbrown Johnson.
Christmas spirit already, eh?
i’ll have you know that after reading this and cleaning up the drool pouring out of my mouth at that picture, i sent an email to our cafe guy offering $$ to put tots in the cafe. i hope he doesn’t request a different type of favor.
Even if he does, you know what you have to do…
An easy tator tot fix is Burger King – cheap, fast and easy to find (TWSS) We love their breakfast wraps that have bacon, cheese, eggs and their version of tator tots all wrapped up for easy car access. Plus, you get a side of those tots. AND, they have cheesy tots. Yum.
Damn you. There is a Burger King ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. However shall I resist now??
My boyfriend takes tater tots to a whole new level. TATER TOT POUTINE.
What you do is:
1. Make the tots
2. Smother in gravy (we’re vegetarian so we use mushroom gravy)
3. Cover in shredded cheese.
Dayayaaaam. It might stop your heart but it very well may be worth it.
*salivating* Oh, pardon the drool…
I was going to mention the gravy factor. And I did indeed, serve my whole family on vacation – my version of tater tot casserole. And EVERYONE had seconds!
Well, OBVY. I don’t want to meet the person who turns down a tot!
Great!! A post dedicated to my favorite childhood side dish!!!
I live to serve.
i must say i’m not overly familiar with the tator tot…i wasn’t a big fan as a child. but if they ever make them with the spicy coating that they do with curly fries…i’ll be the taste tester.
Oooooo. Like the Bojangles salt?? GENIUS!
This is genius! Thank you!
But of course, my dear.
I am SO going to the store after work. Me and my fat ass will have you to thank when I can’t fit into my jeans tomorrow…. lol!
WORTH IT.
Oooo, for Boston folk, The Cellar in Cambridge has the BEST tots EVER. They’re more like fried mashed potatoes — heaven on earth!
Hannah said the same thing… I’ll have to try it when I’m home for Xmas!
I think the way you feel about tater tots is the way *I* feel about those potato smiley faces. If they served *those* in the bars and restaurants of Glasgow instead of fries, I do believe I would die happy…
Actually, a picture of them popped up when I was Googling! I almost worked in a nod to them in the post, just because they’re THAT GOOD.
Gravy? Nah. Smothered in chili is the bestest way to enjoy the tots, if you’re going to adulterate them with anything at all. They need to be fried extra crispy though, else you end up with tater mush.
I concur that chili > gravy… but I prefer my tots pure.
love it! hamilton’s is the shit! thats our after kickball fiesta location. they also have a shot ski there too.
They sure as hell do. B and I go to HH there all the time- $1 PBRs on Fridays!
i want that pin. that is all.
Right?!
Epic.
I know.
I happen to make the best tator tot hotdish in the entire world
I happen to want to come over for dinner…
I’m salivating right now!!
I still eat those glorious things!
It’s good to be in touch with one’s inner child… we just do it through potato.
Ah yes…the tater tot is perfection. And tater tot casserole indeed takes them to a level of heavenly one never thought could exist…and so easy to make! And will gladly share the recipe if anyone would like. For any child/grown-up/person that inhabits this planet to not ever have the pleasure of delving into such bliss is truly a tragedy of the greatest nature.
I think you should probably share that recipe…
I support potatoes in any form.
I knew I liked you.
mmmmtots! i love them so.
there’s a wonderful little place in newton that has the best tots ever… with truffle oil and they make you want to die they’re so good.
mmmmm.
A couple Bostonians have mentioned The Cellar too… thoughts?
Long live the tot!
That’s all I’ve got.
[Poet. Know it.]
And you know how to show it!
*grooooan*
I’m hungry now…
Sometime, when you are hungover or watching sports, or both, I suggest the following tot “recipe”:
bake frozen tots on sheet pan in oven
cover with a layer of chili (canned is fine b/c this is, er, redneck food)
cover chili with a layer of cheddar cheese
return to oven till cheese melts
dollop with sour cream as desired. I’d probably also throw some BaconSalt on it.
I love your assertion that they must first be frozen. PERFECTION.
speaking of potatoes…or poop?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9w66c21a9k
I’m scared… but I’m clicking…
Now you must! ” show me your tot’s”
Classic, fit with the vid. link..
And my fav is the ‘Cowboy Casserrole’ or WETF you call it.
Cowboy casserole?? Elaborate… IMMEDIATELY.
Um.. that is all sorts of amazing. How much would we have to pay you to come to Dallas and research this for us? All I know of is Denny’s and IHOP. And now all I want is tots.
Air fare and a couch to sleep on? I’m easy.
Twss.
Wow. I couldnt agree with you more even if I tried. The tot is such a perfect creation…
It is almost saint-like.
A tater tot is only good if extra crispy. Do these restaurants serve extra crispy tots or crappy ones?
DUH on the crispy factor. Though I haven’t tried Sollys, but I have a friend who vouchers for their crispiness and overall deliciosity.
I am cracking up!! I Love the tater tot. Crispy on the outside, mushy on the inside…just like me!
Awww. I think that’s the sweetest comment so far. The Tot appreciates it, I know.
You know how I feel about Tater Tots – I’m pretty sure we’ve hoisted a glass or two in their honor on a few occasions. So I blame myself for the omission of one place on this list as I have kept this secret sorta to myself.
Restaurant 3 in North Arlington not only has Risotto Tater Tots on the bar menu, they’re worth a trip across the river for any TT connoisseur. Add to that a solid wine and beer program and it is an excellent reason to visit the Commonwealth.
I should also have mentioned that BLT’s are blue cheese stuffed. The Tot only gets better…
SONIC! I never leave Sonic without some tots. Sometimes I drive thru just for the tots (and a slush, cause, well, duh). Fast food tots are the greasiest and therefore best tots!
I’ve been to a Sonic ONCE, in Georgia. The District’s lack of roller skate drive through restaurants is deeply upsetting.
Clearly you need to visit Texas. Clearly.
I can get down (South) with this.
I have an extra bed and two very cute kitties you are welcome to play with
.
I have to be WITHOUT kitties for a week and a half! Granted, it’s in Costa Rica, but still…
When you return to Cleveland, there are THREE fantastic tater tots locations: 1. Lakewood Village Tavern (in nearby west suburb, Lakewood), 2. Touch Supper Club (deep-fried goodness), 3. Happy Dog (pure, unadulterated happiness in a basket).
Now I want tater tots. Dammit.
Don’t fight the Tot. YOU WILL LOSE.
Did you know that a great portion of my “sides” made in my apartment by me are tater tots? Especially the seasoned ones with ketchup. I can cook pretty well too…but there is something about that old favorite.
Tater tot–I love you!!
Wholly and unabashedly.
I am so glad you agree that potatoes are the best. We can officially be friends now. Oh and there is a restaurant in SE DC that serves huge buckets of tater tots. I have never been but I’ve heard about how good it is and must visit soon.
Sticky Rice is all I’m getting Google-wise for bucket o’ tots in DC… do tell of this secret magical place!
It is indeed Sticky Rice! It was presented to me as a restaurant that was waaaaay far away from everything..I guess that was an exaggeration. I must go to Sticky Rice now.
If you do, make sure you get to Granville Moore’s as well. Best food in the city, IMHO.
Okay apologies for saying “me” and “my” five times in one comment…I got six hours of sleep and require 9 to function like a human being.
You’re hilarious, my dear.
couldn’t agree with you more. wish McDs would ask me if i’d like tater tots with that…
Exactly. THEN maybe their cashiers would be more successful and stop being the butt of that joke!
Tater Tots are the most delicious food. EVER. Also, I find it really awesome and hilarious that I have found myself at most of these bars in spite of being waaaay less familiar with DC’s bar scene than this city’s average 20something.
See? The Tot… it calls to you!
I knew you were a tater tot chic. I knew you were a bit obsessive. So I should’ve known that you were obsessed with Tots. Yet, when I read this post, I was still in awe.
You totally need to move to FL!
Ask me again in January…
I buy them at the grocery store, so they are ever in my fridge.
I heart potatoes.
I more than heart them… I NEED them.
Hollywood has maps of the stars’ homes.
DC has a map of the Home of the Tots.
I’ll take DC.
AND said restaurants are not hidden in gated communities. FTW.
Ah, the tot. I love the tot, and I’m glad to know it has ascended to bar food. Personally, it’s one of my favorite things at Sonic. Sure, I can make them in the oven at home, but I can’t deep-fry them to crispy-golden deliciousness with the ruthless efficiency Sonic can provide.
The answer to this is clear…
You should get a deep fryer.
I discovered the bowl of tots at Clyde’s in Georgetown on the late night menu on Halloween. NomNOMNOM. I’m sure they’re at all the Clyde’s but oh, sweet baby Jesus, they were great after a drinkfest. Add to your map, lady!
Also, one of my former co-workers and her husband own Hamilton’s. I’ll pass on the tot love
Thank you! B goes there all the time. And thanks for the additional knowledge of Clyde’s… it has been NOTED.
I too LOVE the potato in shape, size, or cooked method. My second favorite thing in this world would be cheese. Burger King has something called a cheesy tot. There is cheese INSIDE the tot!!! Awesomeness!
I agree with that list of greatest things in the world.
We have Sonic here. Drive thru tater tots.
Jealousssssssss.
This is one (of the many) reason why Sonic is far superior to all other fast food chains: they offer tater tots as a side. You can even get them covered in cheese if you’d like. God, it’s a delicious sleeve of cholesterol and carbs just waiting to drop it’s scythe of goodness on your soul.
Drop, scythe of goodness! DROP!!!!!
McDonald’s should sell those. Can you IMAGINE the lines that would form on the first day?
For real. Forget about your fake salad, McD’s… BRING ON THE TOTS!!
Brilliant…just brilliant. And your title was not hyperbole in the slightest! I think the next point on the Tater Tot Map will be my home since I now feel like I must purchase some for my freezer immediately.
Make sure you go Ore-Ida. They are the classic.
If I may, I know that Adams Mill is not the *ideal* place to spend any extended amount of time, but they also serve excellent tater tots. In addition to their corn dogs. Just fyi.
There is little in this world I won’t do for a corn dog.
Don’t forget My Brother’s Place – it’s right next to Hamilton’s and also has tots!
Oooo, good call!!! Double the tots!
YESSS! love me some mighty tater tots. i used to think i was the only one that got excited when i saw them on a restaurant menu. can you make a map like that for every state….preferably california. kthx!
I can be commissioned…
Thanks….now I have YET another craving! I miss tator tots. My college used to serve them as a breakfast side. Oh college…..vodka and tator tots. I lived off of potatoes!
I’d apologize, but I’m not sorry… not in the slightest. Get you some!
BLT Steak has those awesome cheese popovers as well. Makes for a healthy dinner.
I see a visit in our future…
OMfG!! TATER TOTs!! I haven’t had them in yearsssssssssssss….like years! =_=” I want some!! Hmm I never thought of making them myself, since it will never.Taste.The same. *weep at the corner* Unless you have some secret formula for making tater tots you would like to share
.
Umm I heart potatoes…in whatever form.
My magic formula: Go to grocery store. Head to freezer. Buy bag of Tots. Heat.
xo
How about these:
http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/normal/209/product-5339209.jpg
A tot in the shape of a face that, when pressed into ketchup, it squooshes out the eyes and mouth, making a delightful face!!!
And, no, I’m not 8 years old…. Heh…
It’s okay. We’re all approximately 10 years old here… this is a safe place.
My elementary school always served tots on any day involving chicken, so on baked chicken day (which is a generous name for a non-food item that could be bounced off the wall like a superball) you would see all the chicken on the trays in the trash and happy kids munching on tater tots.
Guess I’ll be stopping at BK or Sonic on my way home too. The tot is simply irresistible.
You can thank me tomorrow.
If I didn’t all ready consider you crazy awesome, I would if only because you share a love of the tot.
That’s not unreasonable in the slightest.
I throw tantrums for tots.
Also, the idea of tots in sausage gravy (somewhere up above this comment) has given me renewed purpose in life.
One word: THANKSGIVING.
Whenever I saw tator tots in the dining hall, I always wept for joy! Next up: map of the world!
Oooo. I wonder if I could get Ore-Ida to fund my travels…
Do you realize that the Tater Tot package actually has microwave instructions?
Blasphemy I say!!
The Tot should never be microwaved into a warm lump, it must be fried in oil and butter until you hear a major artery close, only then is it deemed good.
Oh, I concur. They should say on the directions “WE DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS METHOD!!!” Like when you go in a nice steakhouse and they make fun of you if you order it well done, aka shoe leather.
When I was a kid, my mom used to make this “Shepperd’s Pie” deal for dinner a lot. There was a layer of tater tots on the top of it and that was the only part I ever ate.
Well, duh. Why on earth would you eat peas when there is Tater Tottery goodness to be had?!
I love tots. I rock him like Napoleon. Don’t touch my tots, or I’ll smack a hoe!
And mashed potatoes are my absolute fav, just throwing that out there. Xmas present ideas ya know.
Duly noted…
omfg, this is great, i love tator tots. awesome blog.
Who doesn’t? I’m glad you find it worthy.
Tater. Motherfuckin. TOTS! Hell yeah. I am so using your map.
Three weeks!
This is so strange, but it’s also simultaneously genius. I want to map out my tater tots now. Or, ya know, I could just move to DC and steal your map.
If you don’t, you know I will hunt you down and smother you to death with tots, right?
Love!
Darlin’ you couldn’t get any more classy. Have you ever made tater tot casserole? YUM. We enjoy their mexican counter parts at Taco Time often. My dogs are big fans of mexi fries as well!
Ooooo… potatoes with QUESO… you are brilliant!
Goodness I want a tater tot reallllll bad. I’ve yet to find one in California that is sufficient enough for my liking.
Try making it yourself! All you need is a pan full of oil…
This is probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. Now I want me some tater tots.
It’s almost romantic, isn’t it?
For the first time I am skipping all the other comments because mine is of great urgency. If you and Maxie don’t work out, call me, cause I think I’ve found my tater tot soul mate.
She has yet to weigh in on the tots… but if she doesn’t feel the way I do, I don’t see how we could go on.
Girl after my own heart. My boys and I had tots for dinner twice last week. Twice. For dinner. As in, not a side dish, but the main shebang.
And this is why you are their hero… and mine. xo
We went to eat at Grumpy’s in NE Minneapolis on Saturday just for their tots. No other reason. Their food is just so-so but their tots, OMFG, so delicious. Nothing quite satisfies a hangover like tots.
GRUMPY’S?!? Oh my lord, I would KILL for a bar named Grumpy’s in my life. LOVE.
Here in Sacramento, I don’t know of a solitary place that serves tots. But, we do have Burger King’s tater COINS to tide us over.
Not even close. Damn it.
I cry tears for you. At least you have Ore-Ida freezer style??
Don’t hate me, but I love french fries covered in melted cheese a lot more. CAN’T RESIST.
Believe me, I am not hating on the fry. It would be part of my last meal. But there is something about the rare, surprise element that the Tot brings to a meal that should be revered, I think.
Wow … I am going to have to move to America, I think. The only place that I can think of in Vancouver that has those is Taco Time … which I never go to because it’s Taco Time. I DO like buying a bag of them and a box of those dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets and dipping the whole thing in mayo or an open jar of that yellow Mississippi Sauce …
DAMMIT. Now I’m fucking hungry and I only have a pear.
Yellow Mississippi sauce?! I don’t know it… but I WANT it.
I am from Canada, and am going to be in DC on the weekend – should I be looking for this said TOT????
You crack me up girly….
You should!!! And I’m so bummed I won’t be here… we could’ve gotten a beer. Next time…
I will be back in March
We shall drink then!
I love that you have a map of where you can find tater tots on the menu. If you’re ever in Seattle there’s a great happy hour at Noc Noc that serves them along with $1 beers.
Now my big question is why is no one talking about “mexi fries” from Taco Time? It cracks me up that they call them that, since they’re the same tater tots, but can be paired with a taco. Then again…maybe Taco Time is just a west coast thing.
Taco Time has indeed been mentioned by the other West Coasters, and therefore is now on my Bucket List.
My newest hang-out in Baltimore–Ale Mary’s–has loaded tots (with cheese, bacon and ranch), deli tots (with rueben dip – whatever the hell that is) and crabby tots. You need to come to Baltimore ASAP.
*drool*
HI..just new friend
….great blog have many fans heheheh
Why, thank you…
This is Epic. I bow down to your eloquent post to the almighty tater. Unfortunately the map does no good for us in Calif. but I’ll strive to complete the quest to seek out the mighty tater in locations near me. And if all else fails there’s always Ore-Ida Tots to fall back on.
I hereby pass on to you the quest for California’s Great Tot Map!
Any chance you have a Sonic near you? If so, try their tots with chili and cheese. So bad for you, so damn yummy.
“Napoleon, give me your tots”
“NO, get your own!”
Alas, the closest Sonic is far away… it might be worth a Zipcar trip, though…
Tater Tots are not only cracktastic, but they also have the coolest foodstuff name in all the land. Tater Tots for President.
YES!!! It is election day, after all!
OMG OMG OMG!!! I have never laughed soo hard in my entire life. I can’t believe you wrote an entire post on the Tot!! they are delicious though! My toddler LOVES them I started her early.
I sort of can’t believe it either… but I stand behind it.
Oooo…. and Tonic Foggy Bottom’s close to work. Thanks for the Tot tip!
*cleans up the drool*
~S~
Me too! We’re work neighbors!
oh no! i’ve never heard of tater tots. boo me!
Not you… the evil society you live in!!! What torture!
(I kid, I kid.)
Uggh, tots completely gross me out. Also, tot’s cousin, the hash brown. And mashed potatoes are gross. So clearly, I’m the one with the problem.
However, my coworker raves about the super tiny hash browns (so really, tots) from Dunkin Donuts!
It’s like I don’t even know you…
The hubs shares your adoration for the tots and then some. I do believe he would eat them with every meal.
You say that like it’s an odd thing.
definitely will refer to this map the next time I’m in DC
As you should.
This post made me hungry…..mmmmm tots.
I know. My little Lean Cuisine seems so very sad now…
Mmmm tater tots.
Hey, wouldn’t a tater tot look weird with Mr. Potato Head ™ eyes, ears, and nose on it?
Hahaha! I kind of want to find out…
There’s a bar in NYC that’s decorated like a trailer park. They have the best tater tots I’ve ever had. Ever. Yum. Want.
You know I’m hunting it down next time I’m there.
I am immediately forwarding this to my tot-loving brother who will be moving back to DC in January. I will also be printing this out and bringing it with me when I visit him. And, I am going to make my own map of tots in Seattle, enlarge it, frame it, and hang on my wall as a shrine.
How has this not been done before?!
You are a nut! LMAO!
This, I cannot deny.
I know that you will disown me now, but I can’t stand tater tots or hash browns….ewwwwwwwwwwww.
I forgive you. But only because you understand the importance of a pretty, pretty shoe, at least.
Dying! I love Tater Tots. I was just saying last week, that my ideal Friday night is me, movie, wine and some Ore-Ida Tater Tots.
Preferably a really awesomely bad chick flick. Mmmmmmm.
I LOVE tater tots! Gosh, second blog in a row that writes about food and I have to go on a hunt of said-deliciously-adding-weight-to-my-ass food! (yesterday I went on a search for cheeseburger and fries after seeing it laid out on The Bloggess!)
We’re all out to get you…
Tater tots = amazing. Dunkin Donuts’ “hashbrowns” are basically flat tater tots, so if you were making a map of tot places in Boston…you’d have one on every corner
Yet another reason I so dearly miss being a Masshole!
why did i never think of a tribute post to the potato… THIS. WAS. FREAKING. BRILLIANT!! i do so love me some taters…. of any kind.. mash it, kick it, throw it, fry it… whatever!!
Try and ruin a potato. TRY. It can’t be done!
Dip frozen taters in red wine for about 2 seconds each. Saute about 10 min with diced onion, sprinkle with sharp old cheddar.
Feel free to thank me with gifts.
I am so tempted… you have NO idea.
You are my god. Seriously!!! Red Wine AND tater tots?
help me now!
I am so going to tweet this blog. It is so important it needs to be shared. You crack me up. xx
Haha! Thanks love.
Shocked and appalled to see that my fellow English-type people have not come into contact with… POTATO CROQUETS! (we couldn’t have awesome names like tater tot)
And they’re like round hash browns! You get them in every full English breakfast! Crisis over.
Pictures to prove it.
I love tater tots. I will eat them on a train and I will eat them on a plane. I will eat them here and there, I will eat them anywhere. I will eat them with some chili, I will eat them with my friend Willy. I will eat them drenched in cheese, and I will eat them when I please. I will eat them lots and lots, I will eat them tater tots! Mmmm.
Bring Willy and the chili and let’s have ourselves a TATER PARTY.
I love potatoes and I read this post at the dreaded 3:00pm hunger hour, God I want McDonald French Fries right now. I love McDonald French Fries with a Chocolate shake. Now, I am just killing myself. Anyways…
I will eat just about any Potato out there and yet the Tater Tot is my least favorite along with Hash browns BUT don’t get me wrong if that is the only offering of potato on the side, like at school, by golly I then I will eat the damn things because I must have a STARCH and any Potato is better than no Potato!!!
I’m with you on hash browns. They are weak sauce as far as the potato goes… don’t tell anyone.
I think the further south you go, the more important the tater tot becomes. I once went to a restaurant in Atlanta and I could not believe all the tater tot variations at my disposal. It was almost unnerving — the most elaborate thing I’ve ever done is dip them in ketchup.
Oooooo. Me want Atlanta.
oh no! I sooo beg to differ.
In Seattle they were the after party drunken college girl’s eats of choice!!!!
You have done a great service for the nation’s capital. You should get an award or something for listing the tater tot locations.
Isn’t it sad there’s only 10, too? Hopefully I’m missing some.
I don’t know if I hate you or still love you, girl!?
Have given up the tater for so many years now. But ooooh, grandma used to bake them and they were so greasy/crispy.
I would scrape the remains off the pan. Damn! is it awful to use part of the electric bill money for 2 bags of tater tots at Kroger??
MMMMMMMMMMMM tater love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, better now. maybe. just. one. ??
One… BAG, right?
We’re talking over 5 years of Tater Withdrawals…. Could get ugly.
I make no promises & I don’t share willingly!
Unless you bribe me with alcohol!!!
Damn you woman. Now I want tater tots. They’re so delicious. OM NOM NOM…
IN MY BELLY!!!
I love me some tots. I keep them in my pocket just like what’s his face…
That’s cool. It’s when you’re licking the salt OUT of the pockets we start to worry…
My girlfriend is a huge fan of tater tots… I don’t mind an occasional tot, although I’m more of a waffle fry guy. Call me progressive, sure, but I stick to my spuds.
Wow! That . . . was . . . BEAUTIFUL. (Sniffle, sniffle. Sigh!) I miss tator tots and the really nice (but very toothless) lunch ladies at my school. Memories.
um this is amazing. i totally agree that the tot is phenomenal and now i need to know where i can get some in LA. mission is on.
After being in Lithuania, I couldn’t fathom ever wanting to eat a potato again. But, last night, I ate a tater tot casserole, and it was very enjoyable. So, I guess I like potatoes again.
I didn’t think anyone could ever truly capture the greatness of The Tater Tot in words, but you, my love, have managed to achieve the impossible. Am I surprised? Not in the least.
Now I’m craving tater tots. May have to run to the grocery store to get a bag, though surely not the same as getting them at a restaurant!
I love them, too. But I prefer mine mashed!
For the Yinzers (or people from Pittsburgh, from those of you not from the ‘burgh) out there, you can find them at Bar Louie.
OMG.
The only thing I know is that your picture made me freaking hungry. =[
I remember callously taking them for granted as a child. Such blasphemy now when I think about it.
I just bought a bag of tater tots yesterday for which to make Tater Tot casserole.
I used to try to hid peas in my oldest son’s tater tots when he was a toddler. He would manage to eat the entire tot but spit out the entire pea. The pre-verbal version of the cherry stem knot trick.
For hangovers, I prefer extra salty McD’s fries, for sure.
I know people may not get this, but I am not a super Tot fan, except for this place here that does a tot based nacho plate…YUM.
this is brilliance!
it reminds me of the $1 taco -thon map that my friends and i have.
also, WHEN you come to cleveland there is a place that has LOBSTER tots. amazeballs.
(if you like lobster)
Being Russian, I am all about the love of potatoes, and especially the tot! PS- I also love Bourbon and their tots are the Shiznizzy!! So, thanks for your map of DC taterdom. Awesomeness, also, thanks for following me! Yay!
that’s all i wanted last night.
and i went to 3 different places for them.
ALL CLOSED. it was only 9pm, too!
and then… i hated my freaking life.
This line: “I weep for the child who might live out his or her school days with nary a taste of this gem among lunch sidedishes.” totally made me laugh.
Because in Oz? Tater Tots are referred to as “Potato Gems”. Yum, now I want some. With nacho cheese sauce. Because if you’re gonna eat fried potatoes, you may as well top it with fake cheese.
Yum.
They had them in my college cafeteria, I always got a pile of them on Sundays.
“Like a proud son coming home from war.” ??!!!! AHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
Amazing.
I understand the love of the Tater Tot. However, ever since the I saw the Blue Collar Comedy tour the mighty Tater Tot will forever remind me of Ron White.
Oh to be tainted so cruelly.
My BF loves the tater tots at Bar Louie.
He would order it every time if I didn’t object.
potatoes are my favorite thing ever in the history of ever. and the tot? perfection
You know… I’ve never had a Tater Tot because I’m not AMERICAN…
But I will now make it my life’s purpose to try one.
I was seriously going to post about my love of potatoes – thought of the idea yesterday! Then I read your post and now I just can’t compete
This post definitely made my day! LOL
I couldn’t agree more-The french fry is great, but the Tater Tot is definitely a delectable morsel in and of itself.
Speaking of which, I haven’t had any in a LONG time-I think it’s time to change that
One reason I am so thankful I live in Texas: SONIC TATER TOTS! Crunchy, golden perfection!!! mmmm You can even get them with cheese or chili, or cheese & chili if that’s what your heart desires. And as if it can get any better… the servers roll out to your car on roller skates to deliver the little golden gems. And to top it off, you can get a famous Sonic Cherry limeade to wash them down. Life is good in Texas!
You are indeed a woman after my own heart. Ode to the Tator Tot!
Dude, I JUST ate some tater tots for dinner right before reading this post. True story.
The fact that you wrote an entire post solely dedicated to talking about the awesomeness that are tater tots makes you THAT much cooler! =)
Taters and mayo. There is NOTHING better. Yum, yum, yum.
That pic just went and made me hungry, yum yum…
realize it’s not in DC, but you did forget Ray’s the Steaks Ray’s Hell Burger over in Arlington’s Rosslyn/Courthouse area.
Never had a tater tot in my life and never knew what it was until a blogger in Montreal informed me via a message as to what it was. Sounds like something kids would love and anyone else would like as well. I love french fries and try to have them if it’s on the menu.
Wow that made me hungry!Dunno where to find these in India!
I LOVE the tater tot! I made a tater tot casserole for my kids every week when they were little. A great way to use up left overs or get in miscellaneous veggies they may not ever touch. They never noticed as it was all about the tater tot.
I honestly didn’t know you could buy them in a restaurant. I thought it was a bag of frozen goodness only good mommies brought home from the market.
Sonic has the best tots!!
We don’t have tater tots in Irland…are they the same as potato croquettes? They look very similar but sounds like they taste better! Love the blog, especially the shiz my boyfriend says!! Donna @ declectic.wordpress.com
We had tots at Union Pub last night and they were delish!
That tater tot is often so underappreciated not by this gal though. Give me a tater tot over a fry any day.
For the record I would like to put it out there that Hamilton’s was the first place in DC to add the tot to the menu in 2006 thereby sparking the tater tot revolution. Abe Froman was the “Sausage King of Chicago” and now i’m laying claim to the title “Tot King of DC”….Happy Totting, Scott Hamilton
P.S.
Lilu- if you send me your address i’ll send you one of our “Shots n’ Tots” t-shirts
amazing. if you could do this with cheese grits and chicken in waffles in DC, i’d die. also the churchkey on 14th has yummy tots and a million beers to go with them! (also foie tots, which just sound gross?)
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