By Associated Press, 7/3/2003

LA CROSSE, Wis. — A man has sold what he billed as the world's largest french fry for more than $200 on the Internet auction-house eBay.

Simon Holland found the 6.75-inch fry during a meal at a Wisconsin Rapids Culver's on June 24. Instead of eating the spud, he immediately froze it and put it up for auction on eBay.

The winning bid -- $202.50 from a bidder known only as "Culver's Fan" -- was announced Wednesday afternoon. Restaurant owners Greg Giese and Brad Prohl celebrated by giving patrons complimentary pieces of custard cake.

"I could probably write the book, 'How to Sell a French Fry on eBay,"' Holland said, laughing.

The fry's claim as the world's largest has not gone undisputed.

Two restaurant employees at Chips of Wisconsin Rapids found one fry last week that was about 8 inches. On June 29, a second french fry from Wisconsin Rapids that's allegedly longer than 7 inches also went on sale on eBay.