Food

How Phillip Foss of Chicago's El Ideas Transformed a Molecular Hit to Takeout

Liz Grossman

When Phillip Foss of Chicago’s EL Ideas first saw his daughters dip their French fries into a Wendy’s Frosty, he didn’t realize it would inspire what became a signature dish that would evolve through four incarnations over 10 years at his Michelin-starred restaurant. “I tried it and started thinking,” recalls Foss. “It’s hot and cold and those things are fun together, and it’s sweet and salty and that’s really...