"Hotel chef George Crum enjoyed a wonderful knack for cooking. From his
kitchen at Moon's Lake House near Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Mr. Crum could
"take anything edible and transform it into a dish fit for a king." That
skill came in handy - the upscale Lake House attracted customers who were
used to being treated like kings.
In 1853, a cranky guest complained about Crum's fried potatoes. They were
too thick, he said. Too soggy and bland. The patron demanded a new batch.

Crum did not take this well. He decided to play a trick on the diner. The
chef sliced a potato paper-thin, fried it until a fork could shatter the
thing, and then purposefully over-salted his new creation. The persnickety
guest will hate this, he thought. But the plan backfired. The guy loved it!
He ordered a second serving.

Word of this new snack spread quickly. "Saratoga Chips" became a hit across
New England, and Crum went on to open his own restaurant.

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