Poutine

[synaesthesia]

There was this awesome article on poutine in New York restaurants. Are there any places around here that do them? If not, any way we could force one of the bazillion bistro-type places that just opened up to serve these little cholesterol bombs?

[Meaghan]

Just save up and go to Montreal. More fun...

We are already fat and ugly here. Would you stop!?

[Mark Slater]

There was this awesome article on poutine in New York restaurants. Are there any places around here that do them? If not, any way we could force one of the bazillion bistro-type places that just opened up to serve these little cholesterol bombs?

Plan B: Go to Ben's Chili Bowl, get an order of cheese fries with a side of gravy.

[xcanuck]

A point of clarification or three...

1. Poutine is not Canadian. It is Quebecois. There is a difference.

2. Cheese curds and plastic cheeze are not interchangeable. Going to Ben's Chili Bowl would be like saying Ponderosa Steak House is a viable alternative to RtS.

3. Go to Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal and get the foie gras poutine. Book your cardiologist in advance

[Mark Slater]

A point of clarification or three...

1. Poutine is not Canadian. It is Quebecois. There is a difference.

2. Cheese curds and plastic cheeze are not interchangeable. Going to Ben's Chili Bowl would be like saying Ponderosa Steak House is a viable alternative to RtS.

3. Go to Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal and get the foie gras poutine. Book your cardiologist in advance

I'm with you on this one. The Ben's reference was kind of jokey on my part. Sorry!

[demandalicious]

plastic cheeze

ohnoyoudiiii'nt!

As for cheesy, gravy smothered deliciousness, I did some research because the mere mention of poutine made me hungry:

According to the urban dictionary, poutine is also known as 'hobo fries' or 'disco fries' (YAY!!!), depending on your location. A related search for disco fries sent me to a link for a local spot called Plato's Diner. I nominate one of you to act as guinea pig.

[DonRocks]

3. Go to Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal and get the foie gras poutine. Book your cardiologist in advance

Got it and hated it! Waste of calories to the extreme.

[synaesthesia]

As for cheesy, gravy smothered deliciousness, I did some research because the mere mention of poutine made me hungry:

According to the urban dictionary, poutine is also known as 'hobo fries' or 'disco fries' (YAY!!!), depending on your location. A related search for disco fries sent me to a link for a local spot called Plato's Diner. I nominate one of you to act as guinea pig.

I think the urban dictionary is incorrect. While they've hit on the the combo of cheese and gravy - cheese curds are another creature. From what I remember fresh curds squeak when you eat them.

And I have been to Plato's in CP. It was one of the places we always hit on Friday nights at UM. It gets a meh...

[zoramargolis]

Now that Adam Cook's Blue Highland Dairy is no more, there is no source for cheese curds at the Dupont Market. However, there's a cheesemaker who comes to the Arlington Courthouse farmers' market who makes and sells cheese curds. For those who aspire to make their own poutine.

[ol_ironstomach]

I think the urban dictionary is incorrect. While they've hit on the the combo of cheese and gravy - cheese curds are another creature. From what I remember fresh curds squeak when you eat them.

They do, and poutine must be made with curds, not finished cheese. Comparing cross-border products, the curds from Yancey's Fancy ("the official cheese of Watkins Glen") are pretty close to what you find in Montreal.

The non plus ultra of poutine shops has to be La Banquise, which concocts nearly two dozen variations on the theme. Gubeen didn't care for it, but it was pretty universally the first recommendation of everyone whom we asked in Montreal about poutine.

[xcanuck]

The non plus ultra of poutine shops has to be La Banquise, which concocts nearly two dozen variations on the theme. Gubeen didn't care for it, but it was pretty universally the first recommendation of everyone whom we asked in Montreal about poutine.

Agreed! We were at La Banquise a few months back. While there were many varieties of poutine, it wasn't quite as good as the greasy goodness that you get in the little watering holes along St Catherine or St Laurent. Poutine is first and foremost food to eat while/during drinking too much. We'll be there for the Montreal Jazz Fest in July and you can bet we'll get plenty of poutine and smoked meat sandwiches during that weekend!!

[johnb]

They do, and poutine must be made with curds, not finished cheese. Comparing cross-border products, the curds from Yancey's Fancy ("the official cheese of Watkins Glen") are pretty close to what you find in Montreal.

I believe Yancey's cheese curds are available at Wegmans--I have bought cheese curds there and IIRC that was the brand. Unfortunately, they are not and could not be fresh enough to be "squeeky," which requires them to be less than a day old if the standard story is to be believed. I wonder how it would turn out if one were to chop up some fresh mozzarella and use that? Not quite the same of course, but.....

Along these lines, my greatest fast-food guilty pleasure is fried cheese curds at A&W. I never pass an A&W without stopping in for an order, in all their greasy, previously-frozen goodness! (Of course skipping the little packet of "marinara sauce" that comes with them).

[MeMc]

There are squeaky cheese curds at the Dupont Market every week. Yum. Isn't poutine just about everywhere in the eastern parts of Canada? I did a huge road trip up by Indian territory/Hudson Bay in super remote towns (Temagami and north). It seemed that every restaurant had poutine.

[demandalicious]

From what I remember fresh curds squeak when you eat them.

So do babies.

[ol_ironstomach]

I believe Yancey's cheese curds are available at Wegmans--I have bought cheese curds there and IIRC that was the brand. Unfortunately, they are not and could not be fresh enough to be "squeeky,"...

The squeak is lost anyway as the fries melt the curds a bit, IIRC. Then again, even McDonald's sells poutine in Quebec.

[zoramargolis]

There are squeaky cheese curds at the Dupont Market every week.

Adam Cook was the milk-and-cheese guy who sold cheese curds and he unfortunately went out of business a couple of months ago. He once told me that he had gone to Quebec to learn how to make cheese.

[Antonio Burrell]

when i lived in minnesota, my ex and i would goto the 4h fair every year to cheer on her little sisters cow or pig or chicken or whatever she had raised that year....the real reason we went though was because mn state fairs, county fairs and 4h fairs are really about food. badbadbadbad food. pork chops on a stick, corn on the cob on a stick and yes, cheese curds, fried or not. melanie insisted on eating curds on every trip so i can attest to the fact that yes, they squeak, but only when very fresh and they are the best fried cheese product imho. it's no wonder i gained almost 30 lbs during those years (maybe the beer helped too)....but more on topic, i have tried poutine and whats not to like? fried potatoes, good. cheese, good. gravy, goooooooood......

[goldenticket]

mn state fairs, ... are really about food. badbadbadbad food. pork chops on a stick, corn on the cob on a stick and yes, cheese curds, fried or not.

some of my fondest childhood food memories revolve around the Minnesota State Fair and that most glorious (and possibly oldest) of all fair foods on a stick - The Pronto Pup! (no corndogs to be found there)

Followed up by some hot Tom Thumb mini-donuts, washed down with a free glass of milk from the dairy farmers' truck. I won't get into the secret sips of Dad's beer in the Beer Garden... Those were the days

(veering treacherously far off topic...oops)

[Barbara]

some of my fondest childhood food memories revolve around the Minnesota State Fair and that most glorious (and possibly oldest) of all fair foods on a stick - The Pronto Pup! (no corndogs to be found there)

Followed up by some hot Tom Thumb mini-donuts, washed down with a free glass of milk from the dairy farmers' truck. I won't get into the secret sips of Dad's beer in the Beer Garden... Those were the days

(veering treacherously far off topic...oops)

Well, since we are already off topic: I had the BEST lamb sausage at the Prince George's County Fair several years ago. I thought I won the Lottery when got those babies in a bun. I have YET to find better lamb sausage since; and I just HATE, HATE, HATE the lamb sausage at WF. Whoever makes up that recipe needs to hit the local fairs and investigate the GOOD stuff. IMHO.

[collije]

Ah, nothing like getting 2 a.m. poutine [or smoked meat from Schwartz's] after a long day imbibing & listening to jazz during the yearly Montreal Jazz Fest. That begins to get me excited for this year's version.

[DonRocks]

The following posts have been split into separate threads:

Jimmy's Old Town Tavern (KOK)

Victoria Gastro Pub (Pool Boy)

[Robert Rymarz]

My heart is set on trying the foie gras topped poutine at Au Pied de Cochon next month.

Edited to add. Maybe 'heart' was the wrong choice of words.

[Andelman]

My heart is set on trying the foie gras topped poutine at Au Pied de Cochon next month.

Edited to add. Maybe 'heart' was the wrong choice of words.

Ugh. Had that once. Gut bomb to say the least.

[Robert Rymarz]

Ugh. Had that once. Gut bomb to say the least.

Any other menu items you suggest other then the poutine? This will be my first visit to Au Pied de Cochon.

Thanks.

[rockcreek]

Any other menu items you suggest other then the poutine? This will be my first visit to Au Pied de Cochon.

Thanks.

Personally, I loved the f-g poutine. The seafood tower - shucks, mussels, #10 shrimps on ice - is tasty and one of those things that makes everybody turn around and stare. Liked the f-g stuffed pied de cochon, and "duck in a can" - a canned confit duck cooked in the can and opened at the table. Sounds weird but it's tasty.

You'll love it, once you get past your frozen extremities. I much prefer Montreal in July.

[Andelman]

Any other menu items you suggest other then the poutine? This will be my first visit to Au Pied de Cochon.

Thanks.

It was a few years ago when we were there. I like the whole idea of APDC, but I really can't eat a lot of that type of food. I had some sort of vension sirloin or something. It was this massive piece of medium-rare meat served with a rich reduction sauce. The first few bites were really good, but I could only put down half of it. I'm glad we had a 30 minute walk back to our bed and breakfast. Again, I like the concept, just not my cup of tea in regards to portion size.

[Robert Rymarz]

Personally, I loved the f-g poutine. The seafood tower - shucks, mussels, #10 shrimps on ice - is tasty and one of those things that makes everybody turn around and stare. Liked the f-g stuffed pied de cochon, and "duck in a can" - a canned confit duck cooked in the can and opened at the table. Sounds weird but it's tasty.

You'll love it, once you get past your frozen extremities. I much prefer Montreal in July.

Thanks rockcreek, The duck in a can and foie gras topped au pied de cochon are a must try. Gladly we are a family of five to order more and pass around.

And being I live in upstate NY you can believe my extremities froze off at least a month ago.

[ToothbrushFambly]

The squeak is lost anyway as the fries melt the curds a bit, IIRC. Then again, even McDonald's sells poutine in Quebec.

As do Triple O's White Spots in British Columbia. At least a regional facsimile of poutine. Just in case you wanted to go further than la belle province.

[DPop]

Ugh. Had that once. Gut bomb to say the least.

Have to agree here. These are good for a bite or two and then get heavy and overwhelming.

The duck in a can was good, but the Bison Ribs that one of my dining companions got were great. Excellent flavor on the meat and a really interesting sauce.

[porcupine]

Any other menu items you suggest other then the poutine? This will be my first visit to Au Pied de Cochon.

Thanks.

pouding chômeur.

[porcupine]

no need to go to Canada

[jayandstacey]

no need to go to Canada

Also at Jimmy's Tavern in Herndon.

(edit - nevermind - when I first posted this comment I didn't see the whole thread somehow. This is a known and previously posted fact.)

[DonRocks]

The mad scientists in the kitchen at Freddy's have stumbled across something truly special and announce the unveiling of:

Lobster Poutine

(Waffle Fries, Lobster Gravy and Fontina)

This new dish tastes great but is certainly Not Recommended by the American Heart Association

You really should share it

Russia House needs to do one with Beef Stroganoff and call it Vladimir Poutine.

(It would actually work.)

[Chris Cunningham]

Russia House needs to do one with Beef Stroganoff and call it Vladimir Poutine.

(It would actually work.)

Freddy's doesn't serve slaw with the Poutine...unbelievable..what do you have to do to get some slaw around here

Does Dean do slaw?? Slaw proscutto....slaw burrata......slaw cinghale.....slaw florentino.....slaw carciofi...slaw braised mailino....slaw soup...slaw baramundi....slaw menu with 3 different slaws for $13.35???????

[Choirgirl21]

Haven't seen a mention yet of Jack's Bistro in Canton. Poutine is always on their menu. I've had and enjoyed it there a few times. Having never had the Canadian stuff though I have no point of reference so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

Edited because I know the difference between there and their.

[DelRayDiva]

I thought I'd bump this Poutine thread since winter is here.

I noticed that Del Ray Pizza in Alexandria has it on the apps menu but with tots. We tried them over the weekend and found them to be admirable. They used a true brown gravy (not enough of it ) and real cheese curds.

Once we asked for extra gravy, the Poutine was pretty OK for being served in VA in a pizza joint!

We haven't updated this discussion since 2011. Where else is some good Poutine? Any new suggestions?

---

Poutine (Baltimore, Pras)

[monkeyrotica]

Mokomandy in Sterling serves poutine. It's served with sausage and bacon, but I'm sure they can hold it for you.

Society Fair did a corned beef poutine that was an obscene mashup of fries, gravy, curds, and a breadless reuben. It took years off my life. I regret nothing.

[ylkim30]

Churchkey had a very attractive looking poutine last night. I didn't try it, but it was a glorious mash-up of cheese, gravy, and fries.

[cheezepowder]

The new Sehkraft in Clarendon had a poutine on their limited food menu last week.  Fries, gravy, melted cheese curds, and I think pulled pork.

[Choirgirl21]

Victoria's Gastropub has a delicious poutine, though it is not traditional. I also haven't had it in a couple of years so again, grain of salt.

If anyone is ever in the Finger Lakes, poutine from FLX Wienery is something of a must. Fresh herbs on top = the bomb.

[lhollers]

The Pub and the People in Bloomingdale has a ridiculously good poutine on their brunch menu for $7. "Hand-cut Crispy Fries, Cheese Curd, Brown Beef Gravy, Poached Egg [vegetarian gravy available]." Right portion size (anything bigger would be too much of a gut bomb), not too salty (almost always the case with poutine), and excellent, crisp fries (as opposed to weakly fried potatoes that wilt even more once gravy is added).

Here's a not very good picture I found on Instagram (sorry, ditriech).

Cheers!

[porcupine]

Green Pig Bistro has it at brunch.

[monkeyrotica]

The Pub and the People in Bloomingdale has a ridiculously good poutine on their brunch menu for $7. "Hand-cut Crispy Fries, Cheese Curd, Brown Beef Gravy, Poached Egg [vegetarian gravy available]." Right portion size (anything bigger would be too much of a gut bomb), not too salty (almost always the case with poutine), and excellent, crisp fries (as opposed to weakly fried potatoes that wilt even more once gravy is added).

Here's a not very good picture I found on Instagram (sorry, ditriech).

Cheers!

Crisp Kitchen + Bar in Bloomingdale (1837 1st Street, NW) also has poutine.

[goldenticket]

Urban Poutine is a (newish?) food truck offering the same. I haven't tried it but they've been out in Arlington for lunch recently.

[pras]

Urban Poutine is a (newish?) food truck offering the same. I haven't tried it but they've been out in Arlington for lunch recently.

From their website:  "we braise all our meats 'in house'".  I think they meant in truck.

[DelRayDiva]

I had the opportunity to get out to Falls Church Saturday night and we popped into Taco Bamba to grab dinner.

What did I spy on the menu? A riff on Poutine! Fries, Barbacoa jus, Escabeche, Cotija cheese!

My little heart was warmed. I thought it was a fun and playful nod to both of our neighbors.

I'll have to write up the rest of my visit, too. If you haven't been, the place is worth the trek out!!!!!!

[thessaly]

Crisp Kitchen + Bar in Bloomingdale (1837 1st Street, NW) also has poutine.

Sadly, it's not very good -- the gravy is more of a broth and you end up with soggy chips.