The Belgian submachine gun, a culinary curiosity to taste absolutely in chip shops in Brussels
Updated July 27, 2024 by Pierre
In a previous article, we already advised you on the best fries in Brussels. However, one detail escaped us… We had not yet mentioned the famous "submachine gun". Not to give you the idea of committing a heist, but a must-try Belgian dish. This is a real institution in Belgium. It is not a luxury culinary dish, but rather a must-eat local curiosity.
The Belgian "mitraillette", a must-eat dish in a chip shop in Brussels
Take a small dose of starch and fat does not bother you? Go for it! The submachine gun is a very rich dish fairly high nutritional intake. Not for nothing do Brussels students love it the day after windlass too busy beers. To be honest, the calories will mainly depend on the type of bread used, the quantity of fries, the type of sauce as well as the quality of the cooking oil.
This dish is believed to have originated in the interwar period. When the end of the month was difficult, the soldiers ate bread filled with a few fries in all simplicity. It would seem that the first submachine gun sold in Belgian shops dates from 1952. It would come from the Charleroi region. There, the expert in the matter would be the famous chip shop “Robert la frite”.
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What is thea "Belgian machine gun", meat and fries?
Unable to enter a Belgian chip shop and not see it on the menu. Be careful, sometimes "the machine gun" changes its name depending on the region. Sometimes it will also be called “road” in cork, “special”, “bread and fries”…. The principle, however, remains the same. A baguette in which we insert a meat cooked, a maximum of fries crispy until putting some everywhere on the set and one drizzle with sauce of your choice. The dish is served hot, raw vegetables are of course optional.
Once you have the device in front of you, you will better understand the why of the name... The rod is in fact not closed, but quite open and the fries overflow on all sides until sometimes falling on the tray. Once the wand is swallowed, you will obviously be knocked out.
If you are passing through Brussels, put the healthy food aside for a moment for a lunch break and try this flavored calorie bomb.
What meat and sauce to put in your Belgian machine gun?
The thing you might appreciate the most is that sometimes you can choose your meat as well as your sauce. So you can make endless combinations. Each chip shop obviously has its own secret recipe. The meat will vary greatly from burger to steak. You will have the choice to put Mexicanos, White or black pudding, Fire puff (long red chile pork croquette), Meatball, Brochette, Cervelas, Chixfingers or Turkey.
Ditto on the sauce side, you will have choose from an endless list of sauces: aioli, curry ketchup, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, picalili or pickles, American sauce (strong or mild), andalai sauce (mix of Andalusian sauce and pitta), …. If you don't know stop by: Andalusian sauce. However, feel free to be creative. In Brussels, it is common to ask for two different sauces inside the bread (ex: Andalouse, Mayo)
Generally, sold wrapped in simple paper, sometimes placed in a dish, the submachine gun will be eaten while strolling through the streets of Brussels. If you eat it on the spot, do not hesitate to ask for the sauce "sauce apart" if you are watching your line.
A video of the Belgian submachine gun:
If you still can't imagine what a Belgian submachine gun looks like, here is a video that will whet your appetite. Do not hesitate to go in search of the best chip shops in Brussels to taste it;
Fritland: The machine gun paradise in Brussels!
Who has never dreamed of devouring a gargantuan machine gun after a long day of visiting Brussels? If you are one of them, then Fritland is your HQ!
Located in the center of the capital, this cult fast food restaurant is a real institution for lovers of fries and good snacks.
Why is Fritland the best?
- Submachine guns since 1978: Forget mini-sandwiches, here we serve you machine guns that defy all competition! Fresh bread, generous meat, 13 tasty sauces to choose from and crispy fries: the winning combo for big appetites. 8€
- Homemade fries: Carefully prepared every day, Fritland fries are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. A delight to dip in the many sauces offered.
- A relaxed atmosphere: The place is simple and friendly, perfect for a quick lunch break or a dinner with friends.
- An unbeatable value for money : For a very reasonable price, you enjoy a hearty and tasty dish.
My experience in Fritland
The first time I tasted a machine gun at Fritland, I was amazed by the size! It’s a real culinary challenge that I took on with pleasure. The fries were perfect, and the Andalusian sauce was delicious.
In short
If you are looking for an address to enjoy a good machine gun in Brussels, Fritland is the ideal place. So don't hesitate any longer, go for it!
Have you already tried Fritland? What are your impressions ? Don’t hesitate to share your experience in comments!
Practical information :
- Address: Rue Henri Maus 49, 1000 Brussels
- Opening hours: Open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to midnight
- Website: http://fritlandbrussels.be/acceuil
Barely a foot in the Belgian capital, Pierre launched “InsideBrussels.be” more than 10 years ago, the idea is simple: “What to do? Where to go to eat or have a drink? “. Entrepreneur at heart, this is not his first project! Far from there. EatLocal.io; KingCard.be, Bricabrac.be … Like wine, with time the project improves!
Pierre does not hesitate to share his favorites and his best addresses of Brussels restaurants that he could recommend to you with his eyes closed.
