CharlieD
Chef Extraordinaire
I found this recipe, which seems a lot more like what I remember, except no onions.
https://www.yahoo.com/food/fried-potatoes-a-chef-revisits-his-moms-recipe-102306496026.html
It is exactly what I describe in my recipe.
As far as mandolin, don't bother, just use a knife or if you have food processor, i.e. Cuisinart, use the slicing blade.