‘Instagram chip shop’ Congé opens its doors in Berchem: “People, with myself as a kind of café owner” (Antwerp)

At the end of June, Dorien Nuyts took over the Den Boomgaard chip shop on the corner of De Forneau and Boomgaardstraat and renamed it Frituur Congé. The renovation took a lot of effort and she made a series of funny videos about it that became a hit on TikTok and Instagram, where she now has around 45,000 followers.

“I became self-employed because I no longer wanted to work for a boss and wanted to put my heart and soul into my own project. The idea of ​​running a chip shop had been in my head for a long time. Although I had no experience with it whatsoever, apart from my passion for fries. When a buyer was sought for Den Boomgaard, I immediately made an offer. That was ridiculously low, but it was immediately accepted.”

After a lot of cleaning and renovation work, the renovated chip shop opened its doors on October 20 and Dorien could finally learn how to fry fries. “It wasn’t all that simple, but you learn as you go. As you can see in my videos.”

Babble

The Den Boomgaard logo still hangs on the facade. “It will be replaced soon, but I am on a limited budget. First things first and now it’s making fantastic fries. Later I want to further expand our veggie and halal offering. This is an ordinary, working-class neighborhood chip shop where everyone feels welcome and can have a nice chat, with myself as a kind of café owner.”

“I am coming to Frituur Congé for the first time and I am very curious. Also because I follow Dorien on Instagram. Her videos are very funny”

Sofie De Keyser

During the renovation work, Dorien made a series of videos that went viral on Instagram and TikTok. Quite a few of her followers have already found their way to Frituur Congé, as it turns out when we enter the shop in the early evening, because it’s time to get in line.

Sofie De Keyser (36) is patiently waiting in line with her children Cis (4) and Menno (2). “I live in the Groen Kwartier and am coming to Frituur Congé for the first time and am therefore very curious. Also because I follow Dorien on Instagram. Her videos are very funny. We have been here before, when it was still Den Boomgaard, but it was not exactly nice then.”

“Anyway, I’m glad that the chip shop is now open, although we certainly can’t complain in that regard. For example, on the Dageraadplaats and in the Kleine Beerstraat you have Daily’s, a real frietchinese. But this case is closer and that’s quite convenient. In any case, it seems like a ‘normal’ chip shop to me. Not too fancy, but not too greasy either. I think that’s really cool.”

READ ALSO. Dorien (29) restores a neglected chip shop in Berchem in all its glory, and Instagram loves it: “Honestly: I have no idea what I’m doing”

According to a survey, no fewer than 92 percent of Flemish people believe that chip shop fries are inextricably linked to our food culture. Sofie: “I’m part of that, because I’ve associated it with comfort food all my life. They go perfectly with Belgian dishes such as steak, mussels, vol-au-vent and stew. Fries are always a good idea.”

“As a child I never went to the chip shop, because my dad made fries himself, but we don’t have a deep fryer now and so… A visit to the chip shop is perfect when there is nothing in the house or you just don’t feel like eating after a long working day. to cook.”

And what are they going to order? “A large pack of fries with mayonnaise for the three of us, plus chicken nuggets for Ciske. I always take a viandel, a tasty upgrade from the classic currywurst, so to speak. I tend to be conservative when it comes to snacks. I often consider ordering something else in advance, but in the end I always go home with a viandel. Although I would also like to try their vegan alternatives.” To probably go home with a viandel.

Frituur Congé in the Boomgaardstraat is open every day from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., except on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.