Buy Local: Five Guys French Fries

A southeastern Idaho product is teasing taste buds nationwide: Five Guys french fries. The russet burbank potatoes come from local spud fields and end up at 1,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada.

“I’m pregnant and I love homemade french fries and that’s why we’re here,” said Kasey Lusk.

Lusk cured a craving at Five Guys in Idaho Falls. The sweet sizzle of the deep fryer was calling her name from 30 miles away.

“We came all the way from Sugar City,” said Lusk.

Those famous fries traveled just about the same distance. In fact, all of the chain’s spuds originate right here in southeastern Idaho, from American Falls up to Ashton.

“Soil conditions and the climate, warm days, cool nights, and that’s perfect for growing potatoes,” said Bruce Crapo, an owner of Sun-Glo Idaho.

“The russet burbank has a perfect blend of solid and sugar that make a great french fry,” said Rick Miles, CEO of Rigby-based Rick Miles Produce.

Miles is the man in charge after a handshake sealed the deal with Five Guys in 2002.

“We have between 70 and 100 different potato growers,” said Miles.

Growers whose spuds come through the doors of five different packing locations, such as Sun-Glo Idaho.

Machines sort the russets by size and quality. Six ounces and bigger make the grade.

Employees have the final inspection before spuds are dropped into a 50 lb. bag, sealed shut, and loaded onto a palette.

“Weekly we go between 50,000 and 55,000 50 lb. bags

Miles said more than 175 million pounds a year are distributed by truck across the U.S. and Canada. But it’s what happens in the kitchen that turns Idaho potatoes into Five Guys fries.

“We cut these potatoes ourselves,” said Randy Steenblik, an Idaho Falls-based regional manager.

Manager Randy Steenblik said starch and sugar are soaked out for a mashed potato consistency, then they hit the fryer in peanut oil not once, but twice.

Steenblik said the secret is in that double cook.

“Which makes them even more awesome,” said Kalli Harris, a BYU-Idaho student who enjoys the fries.

Steenblik said growers show up gloating when their farms are featured on the daily board, which Miles noted is only right half the time.

“Don’t believe him,” said Steenblik. “It’s right every time.”

The fries, on the other hand, never seem to fail.

Rick Miles Produce also supplies all of the onions for Five Guys, which come from Oregon.