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See also: Fries
Popularity [14]

Tags: Canadian · Fast Food

A classic Québecois fast food treat. Fresh hot French fries topped with squeaky cheese curds and piping gravy.

Where to get Poutine
Reviews
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2007 Jul 23
The interesting thing about poutine, having been raised in Ottawa as a French Canadian, I grew up knowing poutine as a mish mash of leftovers fried up in a pan and not fries, cheese and gravy. It wasn't until I was 17, waiting for a plane at Ottawa Uplands airport to take me to Cornwallis (to start my military career)did I have poutine. It wasn't memorable, but it was good. There was no such thing as poutine in Nova Scotia back in 1983, nor did poutine exist in B.C. or Calgary. When I returned to Ottawa in 1992, I tried many different poutines, the best so far is my own home made poutine with a mixed gravy.
It took two years of convincing my Calgary born son to try it (he thought it looked gross and food for the poor), but when he did - that was it for him!
If Homer J. Simpson, tried poutine his reply would surely be "Mmmmmmm, poutine...."
 

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Aug 6
I really love their poutine. I frequently drop by and share a medium poutine with my husband. There's always just the right amount of gravy (for those who like lots of gravy, they offer FREE extra gravy on poutine). Unlike most other chip wagons I have been to that only put a full scoop of cheese on the top, "Jack's" put cheese curds both in the middle layer and on top. Very oishii(delicious/yummy) indeed!
 


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Apr 17
My boyfriend is a poutine/french fry connoisseur, and while I tend not to indulge often, having tasted the glory of LaFleur's poutine out of Montreal, I am pretty critical of what Ottawa has to offer.

Crispy Chips good. Really good. "The connoisseur" claims it to be the best he's ever had, and I have to say this one ranks high on my list as well.

I've tasted their poutine from the Hunt Club/Merivale location a couple times this year, and was very impressed; the gravy had a great taste, the fries were (as the name suggests) crispy, but not overly so, and they don't skimp on the cheese curds which is often a problem elsewhere. I've only tried it once from the Value Village spot, but I was equally impressed.

Clog your hearts out friends, this place is worth it.
 
Feb 8
Pigurd (RFD? lol) - yes, they usually close up shop for the winter.
 
Feb 8
this is only open beginning of march?
 
2008 Nov 20
Fresh Foodie took me here on a recent visit to Bytowne and I'm very happy to be able to post a OF comment after two years of abstinence.

Great fries, perfect gravy with enough flavour but not too heavy, and curds, curds, curds. After my dear bro and family, this poutine would be the next best reason to move back to Ottawa.
 
2008 Jun 7
Had a poutine today at JP's and it was good as usual. There was loads of cheese curds, almost as much cheese as fries in the box! The fries seemed a but on the crispy side compared to normal, but were still quite tasty.
 
2007 May 29
But sssshhhhhh.... let's stop promoting it. The lunch hour line-ups are getting too long! ;-)
 
2007 May 28
Like pizza is to the Newport Restaurant, poutine is to JP's! This little clogged artery piece of heaven is poutine fantasia. I LOVE JP's poutine, best anywhere, period.
 
2007 May 23
My favourite Poutine in town. Lots of cheese curds and a nice light gravy.
 
2006 Nov 22
Back to the standard Medium Poutine. We just had to go twice in one month, seeing as they close for the winter on Dec 1. I had my real camera with me this time so the picture looks phenomenal at full resolution -- great desktop wallpaper! ;-)

If you love poutine you owe it to yourself to try this place!
 
2006 Nov 11
After wondering about it over many visits, I bit the bullet (and a whole lot more) and tried the belly busting "Sausage Poutine." I went with the Polish sausage option pictured here. It's a Medium Poutine with a slight reduction in fries to make room for the well-distributed pieces of a chopped up sausage.

Very tasty, but it throws off the carefully balanced ratios of fries to cheese to gravy. I ran out of fries first, then sausage and cheese, and was finally left with a little puddle of gravy. Next time I'll go back to the plain Medium Poutine!
 

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Jul 20
The only time I eat it is when drunk.
I do like the fact it is vegetarian.
It is very salty and the fries are way too thin for my liking.
 
2008 Mar 13
Love it because it is VEGETARIAN! That's right, apparently it's a mushroom based gravy!
 
2007 Oct 6
The poutine here is way too salty and I find it has an aftertaste. The fries are often limp and get soggy too fast.
 
2007 Jul 19
I'm a hardcore poutine nut, and every time I go to ESD (at the request of my not-so-French spouse), I order the poutine; not because I enjoy it, but because I forgot how lame it was the last time.

Their fries are just too small and shriveled to adequately serve as a vessel for the gravy and cheese. If only they'd cut them twice bigger, it would be pretty darn decent.
 
2006 Oct 24
I had an underwhelming smoked meat poutine last Friday. The meat was not the problem (fairly average yet tasty), but the poutine itself just wasn't up to snuff. The skinny fries were off-putting, and it didn't feel like there were enough cheese curds. Still, where else is an inebriated person going to get poutine after midnight?
 
2006 Sep 27
I like it thin and salty - you can better eat it with a knife and fork. The gimmicky experimentation also kind of charms me. But really it's just the fact that they celebrate poutine and give it special billing on the menu that urges me to celebrate alongside. I think my fave for the actual food is the light blue fry truck that parks(ed) along Slater near Kent and Bank Streets.
 
2006 Sep 27
Count me in that camp too. I found it way too salty (and I like salt) and with the skinny little fries it's nothing like real p'tin. But... it's still better than no poutine!!
 
2006 Sep 27
I am in the camp of people that don't get the "love Elgin Street Diner Poutine" mentality. Give me Sasha's or give me death!
 
2006 Sep 25
mmmmm. OKAY so I waited for almost 45 minutes for a poutine at 2:30 in the morning, BUT, IT WAS WORTH IT! It was amazing.
 
2006 Sep 22
Crazy poutine 24 hours a day. They've got something good here. I've walked out of here wondering what inspired me to order the smoked meat poutine. But then I've had a poutine in smalltown Quebec covered in shredded BBQ chicken! Awesome (stomach ache!)
 

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Aug 6
I occasionally drop by for a poutine when I am in the area shopping at Produce Depot. I love how their gravy is slightly herbed and their cheese curds are big! They offer 3 sizes: mini, regular, and family size. Their titles are a little deceiving however, as the "mini" poutine is HUGE! Its more like a medium or large. I wish they offered a smaller size as I could never finish a "mini" by myself; I also don't like to spend $6-7 on something I can't finish. The place could use a bit of work; the food is passed to you through this small window and honestly, it makes it feel like a jailcell O.O!

Overall it is a good place to eat, although I still prefer to eat at the Fryz Guyz :)
 
May 15
Yesterday my son had me stopping at S & G Fries for a poutine for him and a friend. They dug into the regular-size with glee. Both were pretty pleased with their lunch. My son has been there before a few times and swears it is the best in Ottawa. His friend says it is a very close second to the Blooming Onion. I got the small fry as usual but can say that from the 'Mom Tax' I took, the poutine is a hit and no one should be disappointed.

The fries are nicely done. You get a lot of curds (St. Albert). And the gravy is piping hot.

If you want to read the review on my blog and see pictures: ottawafood.blogspot.com
 
2009 Feb 5
Hands down the Best Poutine in Ottawa! Always a generous amount of delicious, squeeky cheese curds. The fries are made with real potatoes and not the crispy coated synthetic french fries. Brown gravy instead of the orange chicken gravy you sometimes get. The actual chip stand itself could use a little work, but I'm willing to overlook it because the poutine is so darn tasty!
 
2008 Jun 10
After finding out Perogies Takeout closes at 5pm on Mondays, my woman was pretty down. So I had to think quick, had to find a place to take her for dinner. Then it dawned on me, S&G Fries was just up ahead (just like the cartoons where the hero with the great idea has a light bulb appear above his head). So I made a quick right turn off Carling, because my idea came to me seconds before the entrance. We got out of the car and started making our way towards the chip wagon, greeting the annoying seagulls with a "shoo shoo". I also noticed their "Voted Best Poutine By The New RO Viewers" poster...why is it still up? New RO changed to The A-Channel in the summer of 2005. Should you be allowed to keep up Food Awards like that one, if it’s out dated? Anyways we checked out the Value Combo menu and got what we wanted; the food was so-so except for the server being on the phone the whole time... what’s up with that? (this is where I do the laser beam sound effect)
 
2007 Nov 6
S&G has my vote for best poutine in Ottawa. The fries are fresh and somewhat soggy, there is an abundance of cheese curds and the sauce is gently herbed and spiced and always piping hot! A delicious and addictive combination!
 


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Mar 26
NYF poutine. just okay. shared with movie date @ cineplex odeon. spike it with roasted garlic and chili flakes.

interestingly new yorkers don't know poutine.

pros: it is a quebec delicacy. comfort food if you need emotional regulation by the wrong way.

potential ramifications: poutine phartz.
 
2006 Oct 27
I have this more often than I should considering it really doesn't compare favourably with good chip-wagon poutine. But it's often the best choice in a mall food court.

New York Fries poutine is just okay. The fries are all right, the cheese curds are scant, and the gravy has a strong beefy flavour that isn't quite traditional. Still, bad poutine is better than no poutine! :)
 


Sasha's [2]
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Jan 25
My friends and I call this place "Fry Nazi", because it is so damn good that you'll put up with the scowling service, and eventually you will love that too. Their gravy (brown) is good quality, and they use possibly refrigerated cheese curds (not too squeaky but otherwise pass the test), plus the fries are very good. Add some mustard and green olives on top (this is a strangely amazing combination), and you have an excellent late night snack for after the bar.
 


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Jan 15
Blue Cheese Poutine.

'nuff said.
 
Jan 14
There were 3 different specialty poutines on the menu, each ringing in at about 12 bucks which on the surface is a bit on the expensive side for this dish. One of my friends was unable to finish his huge portion so dumped a generous amount onto my plate. It was very different from any poutine I'd ever had before in that the gravy was some wonderful concoction with the same mesquite flavour that I was so fond of in my hamburger.

To. Die. For!

Really and truly! Definitely taking the wife and kids back here for poutine!
 


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Aug 31
This was a Small Poutine ($4.50). While not bad overall (I've had better curds and gravy at other places) the fries were really top-notch! I'm totally looking forward to eating more of them next time I go. Vinegar and ketchup FTW!
 


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2007 Sep 22
So good. If you are ever out in Embrun for some reason (lol) try some Poutine at The Hot Potato! Perfectly crispy but tender french fries, tasty gravy with a good consistency and the right amount of curds. Yum!
 


Spuds [1]
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2007 May 8
I went by today to try the poutine and was totally floored by how good it was. The gravy had herbs and spices (not sure which ones but it tastes lovely). The ratio of fries/cheese/gravy is perfect. No cheeseless bites! No dry fries!

Best of all it's a block away from my work...or maybe that's worst of all.
 


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2007 May 23
This identical dish (Balderson, duck, frites) was on the Elgin Freehouse menu when it opened. Same chef? Coincidence? Blatant ripoff?
 
2007 May 16
@ terra grill for duck poutine which was composed of duck meat on fries, mushroom au jus, and balderson cheese. a very nice touch of class! definite reorder on future visits.
 


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2007 Jul 19
I lived within walking distance of this place for about 20 years and I've eaten their food about 5 times or less. In contrast, I eat poutine an average of twice a week or more.

A lot of people like La Pataterie, but I don't. Something about their gravy and cheese just doesn't sit right with me, it reminds me of the cheap junky poutine they serve in pizza joints. You can get a better poutine from most chip wagons for cheaper than this!
 


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2007 Mar 12
I never used to be a big poutine fan but unfortunately for me my wife is. And with these guys practically in front of my house I guess I have become a fan as well over the last few years.
 


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2006 Oct 2
Everything about this poutine was average. The fries were okay (not crispy or tasty enough to be great), the cheese curds were okay (insufficiently squeaky), and the gravy was okay (a touch powdery). I didn't regret ordering it, but I wasn't exactly thrilled either.
 


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2007 Oct 6
The fries here are pretty good, so the other night I thought I'd get poutine. When I checked the menu, I was disappointed to see they use grated mozzarella instead of cheese curds.
 


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2006 Nov 16
I've had this a few times and I can't really recommend it. The only reason I've repeated my experience is that it's the only thing on the menu that would qualify as a good deal! For five or six bucks, you get a rather large poutine topped with delicious smoked meat. The smoked meat is great and the fries are okay. There's very little cheese (excusable because the smoked meat is so rich) and the gravy leaves a powdery feeling on your teeth. Still.. it's really filling. :-)
 


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Basmati [0]
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2008 May 11
Our regular truck near our house wasn't there today and my wife absolutely wanted a poutine fix for mother's day, so we went to Glen's. I like the long flat containers better than the narrow, deep ones that most other places have. There seemed to be more there as well. And to top it off, I do believe it was just a bit yummier than our regular (Frenchy's). I think the gravy is a bit better.
 


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2006 Sep 4
The menu claimed it was large and... it was! I had a salad and a diminutive milkshake with it and was holding my gut together on the way out. Their poutine isn't quite chip wagon grade but is certainly good enough to order again!
 


Lick's [-1]
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2006 Oct 2
The fries at Lick's are nothing special. They use grated cheese for their poutine instead of curds. But what really gets my goat is that this poutine is expensive!
 


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2007 Nov 29
The poutine at the work's is good enough to be a meal in itself. With all that ooey gooey cheese. And that gravy! Delicious! And its vegetarian gravy. Which is great for me.
 

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