The Best Poutine in Toronto
Is Toronto poutine an oxymoron? I don't know about that, but I would say for the typical late night devotee poutine is a very serious business, even a religion depending on who you ask (and how much French they speak). Having a mother from Quebec, I'm often horrified by the Anglophonic take on the classic French dish. Shredded cheese? Tabarnac!
Really, only two words distinguish real poutine from the rest: cheese curds. Mais lache pas la patate! Luckily Toronto has some incredible authentic poutine to offer. Poutine, that I should point out generally conforms to the three sacred elements of Quebec's famous meal as described in the poutine song.
First and most importantly, poutine must have REAL cheese curds. Not shredded cheese, not cheese sauce, but real chunky cheese curds hopefully as fresh as possible. Frozen curds are ok too, but the real ones come straight from the farm and ideally have a delicate white cheddar or mozzarella taste.
Some places in Toronto, namely The Beaconsfield and Prohibition, seem to think that grated cheese on french fries is poutine. Although a tasty appetizer, these pretenders do not make a true poutine dish.
Second, the gravy. Whether meat or veggie based, the gravy in poutine isn't supposed to be thick and coagulated. Instead, it should be a light, almost but not quite 'au jus' style that can easily penetrate the inner layers of stacked fries. I also strongly believe it should be poured in just the right proportion, providing full coverage without making soup.
Finally, the fries. This can be a rather personal opinion, as I love my fries extra crispy and able to withstand even the most brutal cheese n' gravy onslaught. Some places will let you request how long the fries are cooked, but poutine works best on skinnier fries that allow gaps for the melted goodness to penetrate through to the bottom.
Though there are a few places I will have to get out and try, namely Smoke's Poutinerie and the new Uber Poutine that will be unveiled at the new Burger Shoppe on Ossington... here's a roundup of the best poutine in Toronto right now:
Gilead Cafe
Gilead Cafe (and Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar) offers the proverbial Cadillac of poutines. Beer braised beef grilled to succulent perfection sits atop a mound of perfectly crispy frites, adorned with caramelized onions and light cheese. Grab a napkin; this sumptuous platter had me practically drooling on the table at this hidden alleyway spot. More...
Blue Chip Truck at City Hall
Sometimes it's best to keep things simple, like the poutine from the Blue Chip truck at City Hall. It's my no-time/late-night poutine standard, and while the chunky pre-cut fries can be over/under cooked, they do take requests. Although the staff don't say the word properly, they make a tasty poutine. More...
Utopia Cafe
The sight of packaged cheese curds turned me off at first, but Utopia's poutine is pretty decent. The fries come peppered (strange for poutine, but the gravy works in perfect salty harmony. A bit soupy for me, the dish could be more generous with the fries but is otherwise a perfect portion. More...
Dangerous Dan's
Mammoth steak cut fries are something of a signature at Dangerous Dan's, and when you add on thick gravy and as much cheese as you care to order... c'est fou! What I might call a "man" poutine, this diner serves it up messy and steaming hot, without any fancy accoutrements. More...
Cafe du Lac
One of the few cafes bold enough to call itself authentically Quebecois, Cafe du Lac sets a gold standard in poutine that rivals any on this list. Smothered in cheese and topped with fois gras, you can bet this rich concoction is going to cost you, both in the wallet and the waistline. More...
Harbord House
Some might call it poutine sacrilege, but this version has a unique spin. Regular AND sweet potato fries are tossed together in a sweet-salty salad, then topped with cheese curds, caramelized onions, and a delicate gravy au jus. A bit on the sweet side, it's a bizarre (but tasty) concoction. More...
Rosedale Diner
As one of the few poutines enjoyed as a main course, the Rosedale Diner's take is truly formidable. Delicate morsels of lamb are so tender and juicy you can taste the rosemary even among the onions, cheese curds, and sumptuous gravy. More...
Craft Burger
Although the order takes awhile, since the fries are made fresh to order (as with all food at Craft Burger), the wait is well worth it. Giant cheese curds and perfectly spiced gravy on crispy skin-on fries is pure poutine heaven. Pardon my French but, pas un pet de travers! More...
Auld Spot Pub
Though I can see how the presentation makes the poutine popular, there's definitely room for improvement. Very sparse cheese curds that strangely won't melt (even when everything else is piping hot) make this more fries n' gravy; but sprigs of parsley on the top is a nice touch. More...
Victory Cafe
Victory Cafe serves up a beautiful basket of fries atop classic blue and white checkered paper, smothered in thick cheese curds and gravy. I love how their fries stay crispy even after drowning in melted sin; which by the way, consists of cinnamon gravy and authentic cheese curds from Quebec. More...
Bronto Burger
While I know people enjoy the Bronto take on poutine, I'm not sure it qualifies. Although it's made with cheese curds, they more like processed mozzarella and melt to a bizarre 'cheeze whiz' sauce when they hit the gravy. This creamy cup of fries is actually kind of tasty, but not what most would expect when ordering a poutine. More...
Freshwood Grill
This poutine is both a hit and a miss. The Freshwood's cheese curds are some of the most delicious sharp cheddar I've tasted on any poutine in this city. However, the extremely chunky fries give the dish a 'potatoey' feel that isn't balanced by the other elements. I find I only eat until the cheese is gone, leaving my friends to finish. More...
Comments (56)
A decadent way to enjoy fresh cheese curds is in Quebec's (in)famous poutine. One of the best poutines in the country can be found in Toronto's JK Wine Bar where celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy serves up his take on this classic delight from La Belle Province.
Learn everything you always wanted to know about curds and Canada's best fresh cheeses is this month All You Need is Cheese Podcast show:
Poutine is best eaten after a good night out and helps (I swear) prevent hangovers... I guess alcohol must be sucked in by all the fat it is made of!
The restaurant La Queue de Cochon in Montreal offers a poutine and foie gras mix. Very yummi!
Aww....this should have waited until that poutine place above Burrito Boys was opened........I have high hopes!!!!
I have my doubts about Smoke's only because it's in the entertainment/tourist district and seems to have a lot of kitschy dishes, like curry poutine. However, I heard they are making every effort to remain authentic, even in so far as ordering fresh curds from Quebec.
Hey, Corina - why not wait and taste what Smoke's will offer before passing judgement? You have doubts because of location? Come on...
This reads A LOT like Curdsade.
Now I ain't saying anything.
Other than this reads A LOT like Curdsade.
Future's Bakery has vegetarian poutine. It uses mushroom gravy.
It's not great compared to what I used to have in Ottawa when I ate meat, but I thought some might be interested.
No disrespect, but "Poutine" and "Toronto" can't be used in the same sentence.
I don't think Poutine [in its true form] can even exist outside the borders of Quebec...
Check out Restaurant Lafleur next time you're in or around montreal for one of the greatest incarnations ever.
(failing that, La Belle Province makes a pretty mean one too.)
deux hot-dogs steam? all-dress
@curdsade - never head of you before today but cool blog... why such hate? our readers voted in their favourite poutine, i hardly think this qualifies as biting. i believe torontolife just posted their top 5 poutine picks too... everyone's violating your exclusivity rights! :)
@nick d - I tend to agree, if only in principle. I know my mom would too. But I gotta say, Craft Burger was my favourite and it tasted just like how I remember Montreal's most tasty poutines :)
Nick perhaps poutine will achieve once and for all only what cult Canadian movie "God Cop, Bad Cop" and political philosopher "Don Cherry" has successfully done so far: bridge the gap between the two solitudes...
In curds, fries and gravy we trust.
nick - having had LaFleur a couple days ago (long awaited, too), i've got to say that it has long been going downhill. with gravy not hot enough to melt the curds -- a travesty.
Corina, I only wish that Curdsade was my blog. My gullet giggles with glee at the thought of tasting a poutine per day.
No hate. Hate would imply that I care about this post. But sadly I don't. I just would like to point out the 'commonalities' that just seem to be a bit wee too coincidental.
lol @ "man poutine". that's what i'm talking about!!
also, curdsade actually thinks they own the rights to reviewing poutine in canada? give me a break. they weren't the first and they won't be the last.
also i would like to plug mel's diner. their poutine has MONTREAL SMOKED MEAT on it and it's amazing and HUGE.
I just had some poutine at bier markt tonite and it was pretty good. They cover it in shaved short ribs and blue cheese. The strong flavour of the blue cheese made it very interesting
I really hope that the list is in no particular order because if DD's poutine is 4th than everything afterward must be mediocre at best.
I love poutine, and I love it even more when it's pronounced correctly. Pou-TIN. Not pou-TEEN. Rhymes with Jacqueline (not jack-LEEN. Jack-LIN).
Bon app?tit!
I call it pou-teen because pou-tin is dangerously close to another French word for someone who hasn't mastered proper French pronounciation
FYI, these were voted in by our readers are are generally in that order - except for the non-poutine entries from Prohibition and Beaconsfield which were removed for violating the sanctity of poutine.
I'm also surprised Mel's isn't on this list - EVERYONE I spoke to about this article seemed to have Mel's on the tip of their tongue.
When Smoke's and the new Burger Shoppe open, I think I'll have to do a follow up article and include Mel's :)
Chenyip & D: Thanks for the links to curdsade. Much appreciated.
Laura: First and foremost, I would just like to point out that it was never said by "Curdsade" that I had *exclusive* rights to reviewing poutine in Canada, Toronto or anywhere. Don't put words in my mouth. Please and thanks.
Corina: You being so defensive denotes that you can't detect sarcasm. Chill out. I even linked your post in my blog. So instead of being all uppity, take a valium. I have some if you want. Just sayin. ALSO! I don't have high-hopes for Smoke's either.
aww curdy, i was being sarcastic too. why the hate? :)
and where's my sarcasm emoticon...
As a fellow poutine lover, I'll look forward to your Smoke's review!
I recently moved from Montreal and I'll have to try a few of these poutines. A bunch of friends did a similar run in Montreal and the best poutine can be found at "La Banquise" on Rachel street. Make sure you check it out if you go to Montreal.
The only reason I'm looking forward to Smoke's opening is because they'll offer a vegetarian poutine and it'll be really close to my office.
I've had Clinton's veggie poutine. It's ok, but nothing to write home about. Anyone know of any other places in the city to grab some poutine with veg and/or mushroom gravy?
Fries are my weakness and poutine is doubly decadent. In search of the ultimate poutine appears to be a weighty issue , if you know what I mean. Tant pis!
Veger... a lot of places were unable to tell me whether the gravy was completely veg or not, hence the lack of info in this post. I'll see what I can do :)
Also, I had Bier Markt's poutine yesterday... very very tasty but the blue and (i think) ricotta cheese was weirdo, Delicious shaved beef on top but small enough for an appetizer.
the best poutine in town (also the most expensive im sure) is the lobster poutine at Bymark. I have never had anything that good!!
As if poutine needs to become haute cuisine now, Toronto Life has jumped on the bandwagon of Poutine in the City and gives us their Total Eclipse of the Heart.
Would any of you shell out 26 bucks for this stuff?
I would like to point out that poutine does not originate from Quebec, but is actually of New Brunswick origin. Just because it has a French name doesn't mean it's automatically from Quebec--remember, N.B. has the Acadians! (Who, confusingly, have two totally different dishes called poutine.)
Hold on Roger, according to my sources, what you created in NB is the obscure prototype of what Quebecers perfected in the 1950s: the (in)famous and evolved melange of fries, curds and gravy sauce better known among nutritionists & scholars as neo-poutine!
I'll chime in as an Acadian to explain that poutine r?p?e shouldn't be confused with the french fries and cheese poutine. The only commonality is the potato. C'est tout. I'd also like to say that I'd take the poutine r?p?e made by my m?m?re over fries any day--vive l'Acadie!
If anyone is in Guelph, Pierre's Poutine is very good. It's run by a guy from Montreal and I believe they've also included Montreal smoked meats into the menu as well.
Poutines are the worst food that you can allow into your mouth!!!
IT IS NOT HEALTHY FOR YOU AT ALL!!!!!
bad food only causes bad health!
bad food gotta be regarded as smoking, it should be prevented!!
let's make healthier food choices that taste yummy!
@ nick d: I will disagree with the statement that poutine (in its true form) can't exist outside of Quebec. Some of the small towns in NorthEastern Ontario (close to the Quebec border) are quite authentic!
I lived in Quebec from 1955 to 1980 and never heard of or came across poutine until I moved to Toronto. French Fries in Quebec came with or without gravy; cheese curds were never an option.
Dunn's on King St. is missing!!!!!! Originating from Montreal, the 24hr (only in MTL) hotspot serves the BEST poutine imo. It's unfortunate the Peppercorn gravy one is not available here :(
Hey Corina,
I would like to talk to you about your poutine article. Is it possible that you contact me at 416-465-2107? it's for L'Express, the French weekly newspaper in Toronto. (www.lexpress.to). Thank you so much...Khadija
You're going to have to update your list, because we have a new contender: Poutini's House of Poutine, 1112 Queen Street West. They don't have an extensive menu, however their straight up traditional poutine with regular OR vegetarian gravy (I had the latter) is the best I've had in a VERY long time. Puts Utopia's to shame, and I used to love Utopia's poutine.
Poutini's is what makes me life worth living in Toronto. No frills, just fucking great taste. I'm so glad I don't work by it anymore or I'd probably die.
RSS