Lachute Flea Market

Last week we headed to the Lachute Flea Market, held every Tuesday and one of my favourite places in the world.

 If you are looking for something, chances are you'll find it here.

And if you're not looking for anything in particular, you'll likely find it here too!

They also have an amazing fresh fruit and veggie market.

They even sell cheese curds...which reminded us we'd better go for a poutine lunch.

We tried the outdoor hut-type restaurant in the middle of the flea market. The kitchen was hopping so we knew it'd be fresh.

And it was fresh and hot and served with lots of curds. Extra points for cardboard/environmentally friendly container.

Under the huge wooden canopy we were serenaded by a country and western singer, singing en francais. Nice!

 Richard liked the melting cheese curd strings.

All in all it was a good poutine; a solid 4.5 curds out of 5. Well done Lachute Flea Market!

Cruiser's Grill

Thanks to poutine lover Kim for this review!

This summer my family and I drove from Victoria to Tofino BC for a spot of whale watching. Just before we went too far down the stomach churning Alberni Highway, we decided to stop for lunch at Cruiser’s Grill.

Having lived in the US for the last six years, I am always excited to have ‘real’ Canadian poutine, even if it is from the wrong side of the country. 

The restaurant served a side of poutine for a hefty $6.95….but that didn’t stop me. 

But they really did mean a ‘side.’

Overall, the fries were mediocre (the frozen store bought variety), there were no curds, only shredded cheddar, and there was nowhere near enough gravy. I give this poutine a generous 1 curd out of 5, only because I managed to keep it down over the next 3 hours of winding mountain roads. 

Cruiser's Grill, 3680 Alberni Hwy, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1X7

Phone: 250-752-4814

Sandy's Quick Lunch

A few weekends ago, Richard and I headed over to Sandy's Quick Lunch in Hawkesbury for a quick lunch.

 It's a cute place by the side of Main Street...

 ...with an entryway to their patio that featured something you'd see in Florida -- a tiki bar canopy.

 Their menu looked promising but no dilly dallying for us. We wanted poutine.

Richard swung into action. Too bad we weren't there at the beginning of the week for their special.

 We tried their large, regular style poutine. Lots of curd coverage!

 Beauty shot. (Twinkle.)

All in all, an excellent poutine. We gave it a four out of five possible curds. I liked the well-done fries. Richard liked the gravy. Pretty darn good.


Sandy's Quick Lunch, 202 Main St. W., Hawkesbury, ON K6A 2H2
Tel. 613-632-0293

Tony's Fish and Chips

Another review from our intrepid poutine reviewer Jen, from Prescott, Ontario.

I picked up some fish at Tony's Fish and Chips last week. They do fish well and we also enjoy their jalapeno bottle caps.  However, the big sign in the window said "Bacon double cheeseburger Poutine."  Well, I figured it would be interesting to rate such a thing so I took the plunge.  

It wasn't cheap at around $7. 

As I watched it being assembled I was a little horrified that not one but three scoopfuls of thick beef gravy were poured on top, along with a mixture of hamburger and ground beef.  

So, I brought it home to see what everyone would think and basically the fries were all mushy due to the excessive quantity of gravy which was too salty and thick. There were not not enough curds for the amount of fries either. We all had one bite and left it at that.  

I'm afraid it only rated one out of five curds and at that I simply do not recommend it for human consumption. 

Enjoy their fish and leave the poutine behind. Nope, don't even consider it, really!

Tony's Fish and Chips, 286 King St. W., Prescott, Ontario K0E 1T0

Tel. 613-925-4751

Uncle Betty's Diner

This review from Wendy in Toronto. Thanks for sending it in!

We went out for brunch to a restaurant called Uncle Betty’s and my son ordered the breakfast poutine. It was delicious. It consisted of home fries, cheese (not curds), sausage, pea meal bacon and 2 eggs any style.  

The waiter said if he finished it he could have a homemade donut with ice cream on top. So, we helped him finish off the poutine so he could have his donut--with ice cream, natch!

Uncle Betty's Diner, 2590 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON  M4P 2J3

Phone: 416-483-2590

Website: www.unclebetty's.com

Lafleur

On a quick trip into Montreal, Richard and I decided to stop at the iconic Lafleur -- a chain of fast food restaurants -- this one right off the Highway 20 in Ville St. Pierre.

We split a medium and it was full of curds and pretty yummy. Richard wasn't fussy on the fries. He thought they were just too darn soft.

We both loved the gravy and the ample curd coverage. I'm guessing a solid 4 out of five curds. I might even be tempted to give it a 4.5 out of 5!


To find a Lafleur near you: http://restolafleur.com/

Poutine pros spar on Canada's gravy-soaked battlefields

More about poutine in today's Globe and Mail. To read the latest on our favourite food, click here.

Restaurant Ma-am-m Bolduc

A review from poutine connoisseur Brendan W. Thanks Brendan!


A couple weeks ago five friends and I went to Montreal to enjoy the nightlife. I, being the poutine connoisseur that I am, decided to look up "the best poutine in Montreal" prior to leaving. According to various websites Ma'am Bolduc held this distinction. It is a small cafe style restaurant with an outdoor seating section, though it was rainy so we had to sit inside. It was extremely busy; we were lucky to scoop up the last open table. 
We all ordered the traditional poutine, the women all ordered the small poutine but despite the waiter's warning me and the other guy in the group, we ordered the large. We waited a very, very long time for our food, but given how busy the restaurant was we were patient. And it was well worth the wait and only $9 for the large. 
I have eaten many poutine in my day and that was by far the best poutine I've ever eaten! And the others all agreed. The fries were fresh cut, crispy and hot with a bit of skin still on them. The gravy was perfectly seasoned, hot and in good supply. And the cheese curds were fresh, squeeky and plentiful.
I give this poutine 5 cheese curds out of 5! Absolutely perfect. Note : The poutine in the attached picture already has a few bites missing, it looked even better when it first came out.  

Restaurant MA-Am-M Bolduc, 4351-4355, Avenue De Lorimier,Montreal, QC H3H 2B3
Phone: 514-527-3884
Website: maammbolduc.com

Louis' Restaurant

A few weeks back found us in Chesterville, shopping for trees. Since we were early, we decided to stop at Louis' Restaurant on the main drag.

We ordered the poutine, natch, and it came nice and hot.

 Unfortunately, there were no curds but shredded mozzarella. What's with that?

In order that we don't die prematurely from an overdose of poutine this summer, we "tasted" the poutine and split a lovely Greek salad.

The poutine was okay. But rules are rules. You lose one full curd for lack of real curds. Overall, this poutine rated a 3.5 out of a possible 5 curds. Not bad. Fabulous plates though!


Louis' Restaurant, 1 King Street, Chesterville, Ontario  K0C 1H0
Phone: 613-448-2051

Sign the "Poutition" Today!

It's time to make poutine Canada's national dish! Sign the "poutition" at poutition.ca today!

Sign the "Poutition"

To celebrate Canadian's favourite food, Wendy’s Canada is encouraging Canadians to visit Poutition.ca or Wendy’s Canada Facebook page to sign the online “poutition” to make POUTINE Canada’s national dish. Once 100,000 signatures are received, the “poutition” will be submitted to Parliament for consideration.

To read more about the idea, click here.

Vert Fourchette & Mary's Fine Foods

Thanks to Natalie and Gordon for this review.

Keep 'em coming people!

We always enjoy eating at Vert Fourchette, but until last weekend, I had never tried their poutine, a relatively new item on their menu.

And it's not just any old poutine! It's  the house garlic/rosemary frîtes , with cheese curds and  homemade pulled pork slathered on top. To heck with the calories! I was determined to try it. And I was not disappointed.

The fresh, crispy fries were layered with a generous helping of cheese curds, topped with an even more generous helping of succulent, spicy pulled pork. This combination worked very well: the marriage of skinny fries and juicy pork was most harmonious.

Every mouthful featured potatoes, cheese and pork, right to the bottom of the bowl. With a little help from my husband, I cleaned my plate.

 I give this poutine 4.75 curds out of 5. If the pulled pork had been slightly hotter, so as to melt the outer curds more, I would pushed it to a five. The restaurant itself is a beautifully restored century home, with wonderful atmosphere and attentive, friendly serving staff. Love their innovative poutine.

 Vert Fourchette & Mary's Fine Foods

117 Main Street E, Vankleek Hill, Ontario K0B 1R0

Tel. 613-678-3984

Christine's Restaurant

On Main Street in beautiful downtown Alexandria, Ontario is a cute little joint called Christine's Restaurant.

It's open for breakfast and lunch only and closes at 2 p.m. We went for a late lunch so by 1:30 p.m., the place had emptied out. At noon it's hopping!

I ordered their small poutine. The fries were fab! The gravy was delicious and not too salty. They used real curds but I wish there had been a few more of them.

Still, the plate of poutine was pretty good. I'll give Christine's a 4.5 out of 5. A few more curds would have pushed them into the solid 5 category. Pretty darn good though!


Christine's Restaurant, 16 Main St. N., Alexandria, Ontario K0C 1A0
613-525-2423

Poutine in the Montreal Gazette

An article in the Montreal Gazette from March 17 about Smoke's Poutinerie spreading poutine goodness across the Great White North.

To see the entire article click here.

Bistro Soleil Westwood

This review just in from my friend Susan who lives in Los Angeles, California. She's married to a Canadian friend of mine, so comes by her love of poutine naturally. And now they're passing it on to their daughter. Well done Susan! Here's what she said:

I finally tried Poutine! I had seen pictures of it on Ronna's blog and even improvised a version at home but now that I have had the real deal... WOW!

My husband, daughter (almost five years old) and I went to Bistro le Soleil in Westwood and tried the poutine Christine. It was amazing! Shoestring frites with a delicious cognac and peppercorn gravy and light as air cheese curds. They offer many other varieties as well.  

My next trip I will try poutine with mussels and maybe a poutine with merguez sausage. They even offer a poutine sampler! As I was leaving, a family arrived (obviously regular customers as they received hugs from the staff) and their little girl ordered poutine with broccoli.  I may have to ask for that next time too or maybe with spinach and garlic? 

 If you happen to find yourselves in my neighborhood stop by Soleil for a delicious treat! Happy Eating! 

Bistro du Soleil Westwood, 1386 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles California 90024

Phone: 310-441-5384

Website: http://www.soleilwestwood.com/home

For a peek at their poutine ONLY menu, click here!!!!

Frozen Poutine?

 Available in local Couche-Tard convenience stores in Québec...

 ...is frozen, instant poutine, microwavable in 2 minutes.

 It has all the nutrition values on the back, so you know what you're getting.

 And it looks kinda good.

My friend Anthony over at www.mapoutine.ca let me know that it was a great idea...but didn't taste that great. Have any of you tried it? Lemme know!