Once beloved by Britons, the chunky chip has been overtaken as the fried potato of choice, with French fries now favourite, according to new research.
A poll of 2,000 Brits conducted by French restaurant chain Côte Brasserie, saw French fries preferred by a resounding 62 per cent of the nation.
Crispier texture (58 percent), not as greasy (32 per cent), not going soggy like a traditional chip (24 per cent) and being able to get more on a plate (18 per cent) were among the main reasons for the change in chip choice by Brits.
When it came to sauces, ketchup remains the go-to condiment, with 50 per cent of those surveyed opting for red sauce.
In the battle for second spot, curry sauce (chosen by 31 per cent) staved off stiff competition from gravy (selected by 19 per cent).
Once beloved by Britons, the chunky chip has been overtaken as the fried potato of choice, with French fries now favourite, according to new research
On average, Brits eat chips or fries three times a week, with four in ten (44 per cent) describing themselves as a connoisseur of fried potatoes.
Men were also more likely to be fanatical about fries (47 per cent) compared to women (41 per cent).
London (67 per cent), Leicester (52 per cent) and Birmingham (51 per cent) are the self-confessed chip connoisseurs of the UK.
Meanwhile, those in Norwich (26 per cent), Cambridge (25 per cent) and Plymouth (29 per cent) were found to be not as keen on fried spuds.
65 per cent of those polled claimed they would have chips with every meal if they could, while a third (35 per cent) admit they always order a side of chips when out for a meal.
Half (53 per cent) of Brits put their sauce on the side of the plate, while one in three (32 per cent) slather it all over the fries.
Steve Allen, Côte Brasserie’s Executive chef, said: ‘It’s clear that Brits are big fans of chips whatever form they take.
‘The crisp texture of frites pairs perfectly with a flavoursome sauce, which is often the star of the show. I’m not at all surprised about the popularity of curry sauce either.’
With such passion, it’s no surprise that one in three (32 percent) have had a ‘friendly’ argument with family and friends about which is best – chips or fries.
When it came to sauces, ketchup remains the go-to condiment, with 50 per cent of those surveyed opting for red sauce
Despite being a well-loved table sharer, people also highlighted a number of actions that would be considered as bad etiquette when sharing a portion of chips.
Pouring sauce all over the chips without asking (41 per cent), double dipping (37 per cent), shaking salt all over without asking (31 per cent), taking the last fry (28 per cent) and reaching over someone to take a chip (26 per cent) were all bugbears of chip consumers.
The survey comes in contrast to a poll conducted last month by , in which 16,000 people voted for mayonnaise as the best condiment to dip chips in.
Of the people who responded to the survey, some 3,909 said salt and a further 3,792 said vinegar was their favourite topping.
A total of 2,682 respondents said mayonnaise while 2,335 prefer ketchup.
Gravy is next on the list with 762 people followed by 437 who like HP sauce.
Cheese, chilli, mushy peas and nothing at all all recorded fewer than 300 likes.
When asked which was their least favourite topping, some 2,343 Britons said they hate gravy, followed by 2,288 who dislike mushy peas.
Only 162 people said they hate salt.
The survey comes in contrast to a poll conducted last month by , in which 16,000 people voted for mayonnaise as the best condiment to dip chips in
On a regional basis, in London and the South East, more almost half of people say either mayonnaise or ketchup are their favoured choices on a chip.
In Northern Ireland, almost 36 per cent of those polled preferred vinegar.
Unsurprisingly, the figures showed strong regional divides when it came to condiments such as gravy.
In the north west, almost 13 per cent are fans of gravy, followed by nine per cent in the north east.
Some 4,000 people said chips taste best at the beach while 3,482 said the pub.
More than 5,100 said the chip shop was the finest spot and some 1,200 people claimed eating chips while walking home from the pub was divine.
Only 40 people out of more than 16,000 considered eating chips on a bus or a train was acceptable.
The results came as British fish and chips saw the largest price rise of any major takeaway over the last year, with shops are raising prices as inflation threatens their businesses, and products.
TV chef Tom Kerridge made headlines in June last year when it emerged that his restaurant is selling his take on fish and chips for a staggering £37 – excluding a drink and even the service charge.
The budget-busting price will get you one battered fish and eight chips at Kerridge’s Fish and Chips, which is located at luxury department store Harrods in London.