But like you, I’m not afraid to try a new food court option in hopes that maybe this will be the place that makes me reevaluate my stance on food courts. So a few months ago when I saw the first signs that Potato Corner was coming to Memorial City Mall, I found myself tentatively excited. After all, what could be better for an energy boost that some fried fare covered in flavored powder? Now that it’s here and I’ve given it a few chances, I am sad to report this is not the fried haven you were hoping for.
I hate to lean on that old internet crutch of “you had one job!” but the truth is that Potato Corner really only has one job—serve up moderately tasty fried potato variants—and at
But the flavor issues would probably be more acceptable if the fries and tots had anything close to a good texture. It’s the danger of the food court—you’re not always going to get fresh food, and few foods are ruined by sitting out the way that fried potatoes end up. The fries are totally limp, like you bought them, rode around in the car for 45 minutes, then finally got a chance to sit down and eat them. The tots fare a little better, but not much; they have next to no crunch, but they’ve got a good body at least, and they’ll fill you up, albeit with a mix of potato and regret.
Weirdly, their chicken tenders are pretty good. They’re nothing fancy and aren’t the best chicken option in the food court, but at least they’re cooked up when you order them, and when you get the combo with fries and a drink you end up with a ton of food for a fair price. In terms of value, it’s not the worst option.
While Houston waits to see if Get Fried is serious about expanding into Houston—most people don’t want to travel to Humble just to eat at a food court—Potato Corner could have served as an interesting spoiler in the French fry wars. Alas, it was not to be. It’s just the latest in a long line of chains that have had a good gimmick but poor follow through. In that regard, maybe it’s the perfect food court spot after all.