A publication no less ponderous than the Wall Street Journal has weighed in on poutine, the unofficial national dish of Québec. In a recent article, author Adam Leith Gollner argues that this decadent mixture of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy cannot, and should not – despite recent attempts to do so – be turned into haute cuisine. As he so eloquently points out, poutine “is meant to be trashy.”
For Québecers, poutine is an ever ready comfort food. It is there at the ski resort, waiting for you in the chalet, after a day on the slopes. It is there at the beach, on a hot summer day, freshly made in a mobile food truck. Thankfully, it is also there at the end of a long night on the town, when it is 3 a.m. and morning is just around the corner.
And let there be no mistake about it, poutine is not diet food. It packs a one-two punch of carbohydrates and grease that will foil any New Year’s resolution. But, it is just what the doctor ordered when you have just $7 in your pocket and need something to fill your stomach.
The St. John Street poutinerie pictured here makes no bones about what makes poutine so wonderful. Their phone number – 522-GRAS (522-FAT!) – makes it impossible to deny why it tastes so good.
I would like to invite my Québec City readers tell me where the best poutine in the city can be had. Please post your recommendations here.
I have already had a spiced poutine at Brynd Smoked Meat in la rue St-Paul. Bravo!
It’s a running joke. We say that for sake. Nobody eat that.
I like Ashtons poutine… But the best one is the one I do at home! Sorry,only my daughters had this privilege!
Be careful, Lisette. You’ll have people showing up at your door!
I believe my favorite poutine is the one served at “Le coin de la patate”! It’s very simple, fresh and trashy as it should be!
Yes, on St. Joseph. I have heard many Québecers laud its poutine!
Definitively Ashton! Best mix between french potatos, sauce and cheese.
En banlieue éloignée de Québec, à St-Roch-des-Aulnaies et maintenant à Kamouraska, il faut essayer MAMIE PATATERIE GOURMANDE : http://www.mamiepatateriegourmande.com/#!food_menu/cl69
DANS LEUR MENU, ILS ONT UNE SECTION POUTINES GOURMANDES. Une poutine au homard ? à l’effiloché de canard ? Voici le menu, avec prix.
———————–
Classique
P 5 M 6,5
P’tite poule poulet, petits pois, sauce brune
P 7,5 M 9,5
Bourguignonne Boeuf braisé, champignons, oignons perlés, sauce au vin rouge
P 9 M 11,5
Jardin courgettes, oignons, poivrons rouges, champignons, sauce au vin rouge
P 7 M9
Effilochée de canard et sauce au vin
11,5 (un seul format)
Portobellos rôtis et sauce aux 3 poivres
11 (un seul format)
Saumon fumé à chaud et sauce béarnaise
14,5 (un seul format)
Homard et sauce béarnaise
14,5 (un seul format)
Merci, Chaussegros, de votre recommandation. Mamie en sera bien contente! Sauf que, il y a pas mal de poutines sophistiquées sur le menu. Pas sûr que le Wall Street Journal l’approuverait!
I would not touch that mix with a ten foot pole.
«Je vire mon capot» Je veux certainement essayer les poutines de Mamie Poutines Goumandes.
On peut déguster une excellente poutine au Chic Shack situé à la Place d’Armes,tout près du Château Frontenac. Cette poutine 2.0 a été conçue avec Panache par deux jeunes et fins cuisiniers qui utilisent des patates Yukon Gold.
Bon appétit !
Interesting article and comments about our “national meal”. But if we visit the Old Québec and want to eat a good traditionnal poutine, I clearly recommand the restaurant L’Antiquaire, on St-Paul St.
And, if you prefer something ore exotic and fancy, like our friend Chaussegros (et mange gros si je comprends bien), try the Rabbit poutine at the restaurant Le Lapin sauté, on Le Petit Champlain St. Sure, it’s a little bit more expensive, but this poutine is really a nice surprise and delicious.
I agree with Denis, the Antiquaire does have a good honest poutine. For those of you willing to travel outside of the old city, Pat Retro just off rue Maguire, makes freshly cut chips (those are fries for you North Americans) and uses fresh cheese curds. For the ultimate blue collar experience, try the La Poutinerie
292 Rue Marie de l’Incarnation. For more info try going to this blog https://poutinepundit.wordpress.com/.
BTW if you want a once-a-year, strange experience, go to the village of St Joachin near Mt St Anne during goose hunting season and eat a goose poutine. Don’t worry, it ain’t haute cuisine!
Best place to have a poutine? CHEZ ASHTON, of course! There is one on Grande-Allée and one on Côte du Palais.
In December, you will even have a Christmas poutine on the menu. They just add green peppers, onions and tomatoes, so the dish has the traditional Christmas colors.
And don’t forget : in January, you will have a discount on poutine – a discount that is equal to the coldest temperature announced by Environment Canada for the day. So if it is -25 outside, you will get a 25% discount. Comfort food!
For those who may ask, no I don’t have shares!
You have a Poutine Craving?….. then try the Rideau Rouge on Cartier St…..
http://www.rideaurouge.ca/menu
There is also Planète Poutine on Henri-Bourassa
http://www.planetepoutine.com/index.php?page=menu
Enjoy 🙂
Thank you, Josée. I haven’t been to either of those places. They are on my list now!
As you know (maybe), I was born in Montreal area and my daughters and sons-in-law live there. So, I visited with them the restaurant LA BANQUISE on Rachel street (I think) and I must tell you that nothing can compete with that poutine kingdom! I didn’t check, but try. They probably have a web site. I love Quebec City, but I’m sorry for that contest. Montreal is possibly the Poutine Queen!
Salut tout le monde!
Patrice