Going viral on TikTok makes you big news, with bigger queues. That’s the case for tiny chip shop Fabel Friet in Amsterdam, but now it’s looking more like a recipe for disaster.
The small shop on the Negen Straatjes has become so popular that they have started employing crowd controllers to keep the queues in check, AD reports.
But that’s not enough, according the Amsterdam municipality.
@carterfordays fabel friet: best fries in amsterdam🥰 #fabelfrietamsterdam #fabelfriet #amsterdamfoodguide ♬ Jersey Giant – Elle King
From crispy fries to court case
The TikTok queues are causing chaos, with tourists overwhelming every stroopwafel stall or snackbar that gets some online attention.
READ MORE | TikTok hype has tourists paying €13 for ONE stroopwafel in Amsterdam
The problems starts when the line starts forming outside the front door — which is now a daily occurrence for Fabel Friet on the Negen Straatjes.
These were so damn tasty 😋 #FabelFriet #Amsterdam pic.twitter.com/64cBP5tXwP— Daniel Watson (@danil0908) March 27, 2024
Why’s that? Well, as the crowds build, awaiting their warm parmesan or truffle mayo-coated goodness, complaints from residents are building, too.
And now, the municipality has to intervene for the first time.
READ MORE | Snackbars in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide
City officials told Fabel Friets they cannot have more than 10 people in line, and they will have to close their second till until those waiting have been served.
But this left a chip on the shop owners’ shoulders: they said that was not possible and took the issue to court.
Have they had their chips?
Fabel Friet has tried its best to keep its doors open while still making the most of its stupe-fry-ing success. 😋
The queue is diverted onto a nearby bridge so it doesn’t block the road, they offer a simplified menu to speed the order process, AND they clean up all waste in the area at the end of each day (even if it’s not chip cones).
But at least 77 locals have complained about the inconvenience caused by the huge queues, with the municipality’s lawyer even calling it “a major burden” at the hearing.
READ MORE | ‘Friet’ or ‘patat’? The ultimate guide to Dutch fries
If these residents appeal against Fabel Friet’s operating permit as planned, the company will have to cash in its chips — a.k.a. close its doors. 😳
In an attempt to keep its business alive, Fabel Friet is asking for a 20-person limit rather than the city-sanctioned 10. The future of their fries is now in the municipality’s hands.
Have you tried the famous Fabel Friet fries? Let us know in the comments below.
Its very overrated imo