Photo Gallery: Fritz: Belgian Fries
Everybody knows shopping can be exhausting, so what better way to take a load off your feet than to have a beer and a bite to eat? Frijtz makes for a funky respite conveniently located in the middle of the hip, two-block strip that is the shopping district of Hayes Valley. Amidst boutiques selling everything from furniture and home accents to apparel, travel gear and jewelry, the eatery boasts DJ music, low lighting, and the grooviest (and tiniest) bathroom in town-the glowing toilet seat is illuminated with a black light.

As the name implies, the specialty here is the Belgian-style fries ($3 for a small order, $4 for a large), served with dipping sauce ranging from pesto mayonnaise to strawberry mustard. Ordering a Belgian brew

Advertisement
like Chimay, Stella or Duvel makes it a fast refreshing snack.

The chunky, thick fries nearly steal the show but the crepes, both savory and sweet and all named after artists, are well worth a try. We found the Munch (ham and Swiss for $7) and the Kandinsky (Nutella, fresh strawberries and whipped cream for $7.75) particularly good and filling.

Interesting combinations abound on the sandwich menu, and the Velasquez (prosciutto, melted mozzarella, roasted pineapple and roasted pepper mayo on focaccia for $8) stood out as an exceptionally tasty treat, although the tomatoes were flavorless and were of the mushy variety.

Once again, out-of-season tomatoes showed up in the Hokusai salad, a spring mix with tuna-caper salad, onions, avocado, fried wontons and dried cranberries in a ginger-hoisin dressing ($8.25). Throwing out the tomatoes would have saved this otherwise refreshing dish.

Frijtz is located at 579 Hayes Street at Laguna in San Francisco. For more information, call (415) 864-7654.