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I grew up with Fred Meyers and Safeway as our main grocery stores. I loved Freddy’s because it had clothes and fun household items, but Safeway had the better delicatessen. Remember how I admitted to eating Bagel Bites and Mozzarella Sticks in my Baked Mozzarella Bites post, well the more I started to reminisce about the past the more I realized that I had forgotten two more favorites. Jo jo’s and Safeway’s fried rice and sesame chicken. I loved picking up a plastic bag sealed with a sticker full of jo jo’s as a kid and the older I got the more I enjoyed the fried rice and Sesame Chicken. But we can get to those another day. In the meantime you can try this Sweet and Sour Chicken or Pretend Orange Chicken and Bacon Fried Rice.
I realize not all of you call your potatoes jojo’s but it’s ok I forgive you. You probably just didn’t know any better and that’s ok. All of us make mistakes. 🙂 But seriously, jojo’s were such a special treat if we’d been good with mom at the grocery store. Occasionally we would get a corn dog or chicken strips too! I seriously can taste those tender, flavorful jojo’s as I type this. Did you ever get to grab a snack at the store?
In a few weeks I’m headed to Idaho with the Idaho Potato Commission and I cannot get potatoes off of my mind. I’m so excited to get there for a few reasons. First, my parents just moved to Rexburg, Idaho which happens to be where I did some of my degree as well. Second, I love Idaho. It’s beautiful, it’s quiet, the people are easy going and genuine, and gosh it really does smell cleaner too. Well, and like farms, but I actually love that smell. I want to move there. Someone find us a job. And a quick side note, if you really want to try something yummy, drizzle a little honey on the potatoes instead of dipping in ketchup. It’s so good.
What Is A Jo Jo?
Jojos are potato wedges that are deep fried, or baked.
They are usually eaten along side fried chicken, cole slaw and baked beans.
What Potato Is Best For French Fries?
The ideal french fry is golden brown in color, crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and not too oily.
Russets are by far the best potato for french fries.
Russet or Idaho potatoes which have a high-starch content, will give you the best results.
Are Potatoes Good For You?
Potatoes contain a good amount of vitamin C, vitamin B6 and potassium.
They are also high in fiber.
Potatoes alone, are also low in calories.
Jo Jo’s Recipe
Jo Jo's Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 Cup Flour
- 2 teaspoons Season Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
- 1/4 Cup Butter, melted
- 6 Potatoes, Russet Baking, washed and sliced in wedges
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 450 degrees.
- Line 2 baking sheets with foil.
- In a large ziploc add the flour, season salt and pepper.1/3 Cup Flour, 2 teaspoons Season Salt, 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
- Pre-heat the pan with the butter on it until melted.1/4 Cup Butter
- Place the potatoes in the ziploc, a handful at a time, seal the bag and shake to evenly coat.6 Potatoes
- Shake off excess flour.
- Line potatoes up, skin side down on the baking sheet, use a spoon to scoop extra butter and drizzle over potatoes and bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping over halfway through .
- Serve hot!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Honey Roasted Red Potatoes
The BEST Potato Rolls
I’m in the Northwest and its true Safeway has the best deli. At least the one by us is. Their Chinese food is the best too!! Our store has a really good chef.
Yes! I truly think ours don’t compare to Safeway!
Will have to try these without using wheat and dairy. Sound like a great makeover. 🙂
I love jojos! They were always my favorite thing to get at the grocery store. When Ryan and I were first dating we would walk to the grocery store by my moms house and buy chicken strips and jojos. It was our date night. 15 years later I still love that meal 🙂
haha!! That is awesome!!!
I think I am missing out on something good by not having a Safeway or Fred Meyer! They looks so good!!!
We get them at a local supermarket here in Ohio. It is like a baked potato meeting a French fry they are soo good. I made these and they were awesome. Only thing I did was I had no season salt so used my ever present creole spice. Thanks for the recipe.
I’m so glad someone else gets it! So many people have never seen such a thing. THanks!
I’ve heard that soaking the fries/wedges in water for a bit helps rid the potatoes of starch and will help cook faster/make the potatoes fluffier. Does anyone know if that’s true?
It definitely is true. It’s more about creating the crispy outside and tender middle than anything else. We never miss that step with jo jo’s or french fries!
I secretly get giddy when the kids ask for chicken and jojo’s, opposed to drive-thru, as their special dinner. We hit up Safeway or Fred’s and load up on enough jojo’s to make a person sick. LOVE them.
Isn’t it the best! Gosh, I miss the PNW!
I have a safeway, why have I never seen jo-jos?????? These are fabulous!
WHAT?! Get on that. if they don’t have them I’ll cry. Do they still have the fried rice? Now that I’m not 16 it’s probably gross but you never know!
I have never heard them called Jo jo’s before. Honey drizzled on them sounds heavenly. Our Kroger store gave kids a free cookie each time we came to the store. We ran in first thing and asked for one at the deli counter. We always got those little frozen cinnamon donuts made by Morton’s. I love those things!
We had a Safeway where I grew up, but I think I totally missed out! I guess I’ll have to make these at home!