We're a nation of hot chip lovers - but punters at some of our most popular eateries are fast learning the saying "cheap as chips" doesn't quite ring true.
Kiwis eat around 7 million servings of hot chips a week. But an unscientific survey of some of Auckland's top eateries found prices ranged from $4.50 for an eat-in portion of chips at Mission Bay's Fish Pot Cafe, up to $12 at The Grill by Sean Connelly at SkyCity (cooked, admittedly in duck fat) and Molten in Mt Eden.
Sven Nielsen, owner of Molten, said punters were happy to shell out $12 because of the effort that goes into cooking them. The chips are thick-cut, triple-cooked and served with black truffle aioli and malt vinegar.
"I would be hung, drawn and quartered if we ever stopped serving them."
Eric Sivado, acting manager at Odettes Eatery, said his $11 price tag reflected the chips' quality.