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I (heart) tater tots

By Catherine Toth Fox • July 19, 2012 • Food

20120719-135034.jpg

I don’t usually refer to myself as a foodie, and here’s why.

I love tater tots. I think that’s a foodie faux pas.

I was recent reacquainted with this favorite from childhood at an impromptu dinner at Restaurant Epic in downtown. (Review on Friday.)

On the happy hour menu was a dish consisting of deep-fried tater tots — yes, the ones straight from the bag! — covered melted cheddar cheese and bacon.

It was as delicious as it was disgusting. I was in hog heaven.

What is it about these simple, pre-packages, awful-for-you-foods that we love so much? Is it the greasy goodness? The euphoric consumption? The nostalgia?

I’m sometime embarrassed to admit I eat tater tots — and enjoy the occasional Taco Bell — given that people often equate me with food.

I guess they never specified “healthy” food. 🙂

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FUUD: Happy hour at Restaurant Epic

About the Author

Catherine Toth Fox

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13 Comments

  • Reply David Jackson July 19, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    Every once and a while I will stop in the 7-11 and grab a Coke and a Baby Ruth bar. I think you need to challenge your system with a burst of not good for you stuff on occasion.

    God forbid you find out when you are 80 years old that cutting out junk food TAKES AWAY years from your life. Need an insurance policy!

  • Reply EdW July 19, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    generally I don’t indulge myself even tho i really like them too. I will have to make up a batch with cheddar and bacon..YUM!

  • Reply DIO July 19, 2012 at 5:50 pm

    I don’t see any reason why consuming Tater Tots would be considered a foodie faux pas. If you like ’em, grind ’em. 😀

  • Reply DIO July 19, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    I think the pic is missing a few things though, like, more chives, a bit of hot sauce, maybe some sour cream…….

    • Reply Catherine Toth July 23, 2012 at 6:57 am

      I agree!

  • Reply M July 20, 2012 at 6:40 am

    Hello Cat,

    Those tater tots looks sooooo oooonnnnnoooo!

  • Reply R-Dizzle July 20, 2012 at 8:12 am

    Have you tried the tater tots from Teddy’s Bigger Burders? Crispy and crunchy goodness!

    • Reply Catherine Toth July 23, 2012 at 6:56 am

      I didn’t realize Teddy’s had tater tots! Oh, boy. That’s dangerous!

  • Reply rayboyjr July 20, 2012 at 8:51 am

    Hey Cat … Yes, I ♥ tater tots too … and you know what?!! … I love the fact that you can bake ’em instead of frying … crinkle cut fries too … and so I can pretend that they’re that much more healthier … haha, good enough for me …

    … I don’t know what makes these formed potato shreds so damn delicious … I really don’t see anything special about it … but I’d eat it like a bag of chips if I could …

    … and you could put just about anything on it and it would work … I think I’d love it with gravy or chili …

  • Reply Mike July 20, 2012 at 11:13 am

    Hi Cat,

    I’m convinced most chefs or foodies have a secret penchant for something processed, be it cheese, candy, or meats. it’s lonely to live in Seattle and openly profess my love of spam, only to be mocked by folks who fervently work that 7-11 cheese sauce pump (which I love as well but you get my point).

    Eat and drink what you love, of course in moderation and hopefully with an active lifestyle. Everyone’s palate is different. No one laughs at Thomas Keller for loving an in-n-out double double. Lisa Nakamura (formerly at the French Laundry) loves Thousand Island dressing, and list goes on. I’ve eaten at some of the finest restaurants but put a spam musubi in front of me and it’s as good as gone. There are foods that impress and then there are foods that make you feel like you’re getting a hug from in the inside out. Love your blog. It’s how I stay connected to where I really want to be. Keep ’em coming gurl!

  • Reply uncleb July 20, 2012 at 5:26 pm

    it’s friday… where’s the review…. 🙂

    • Reply Catherine Toth July 21, 2012 at 2:46 pm

      I know, I know. It’s coming. 🙁

  • Reply gigi-hawaii July 21, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    My downfall is egg rolls from Jack n the Box. Yum.

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About Me

About Me
Born and raised on O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi, Catherine Toth Fox has been chronicling her adventures in her blog, The Cat Dish, for more than a decade. She worked as a newspaper reporter in Hawai‘i for 10 years and continues to freelance—in between teaching journalism, hitting the surf and eating everything in sight—for national and local print and online publications. She’s currently the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

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