These Are Some of the Most Intriguing La Poutine Week Creations in Montreal

La Poutine Week is upon us, and though many — likely most — would prefer the more commonplace mound of squeaky curds, subtly spiced gravy, and crisp-then-soggy fries, well, that’s just not what this time of the year is about. Instead, participating restaurants dream up a new take on the tried-and-true classic, often adding copious amounts of toppings that seem to have no business in a poutine. Others opt for a fusion-y mashup, while some deviate so blatantly from the mold that it’s hard to say whether their creation should even qualify.

This year, more than 700 restaurants across the country are participating, with 120 of those coming from right here in Montreal. Below is a round-up of some of the most notable offerings in the city, highlighted for everything from actually sounding good to not being a poutine at all.

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Yes, Let’s Do This

Piklìz Comptoir Caribéen’s Piklìz Poutine: Maybe it’s the grainy photo, but this poutine looks like one that might really have some staying power. Its approach seems similar to that of exceedingly popular Ma Poule Mouillé in that it opts for an already loved protein (in this case, its griot pork cubes) and a spiced, peppery sauce that cuts through the grease — but otherwise stays true to form.

Poutine Week/Website

The Famous Cosmos’ Cosmolio: Landmark Sherbrooke Street West greasy spoon Cosmos has long attributed its success to its potatoes — first boiled, then mashed onto a flattop for a hash brown with bits of almost caramelized char, so it’s no surprise that these would be the star of the show when it tries its hand at reinventing the poutine. Bacon, sausage, and a fried egg (a nod to its iconic Mish-Mash Omelette, perhaps) also make an appearance for a more breakfast-leaning poutine. Cheese curds and gravy are slathered on top.

Not Really Poutine, But, Also, Not Necessarily Bad?

Poutine Week/Website

Léché Desserts’s Leche churros “poutine”: Calling this a poutine is kind of a stretch, and judging from the air quotes in its name, its creators know it. But it does sound quite tempting, and it hits a few of the poutine markers: the carb — a pile of sugary churros — is deep-fried, delivering on that crisp factor, and unlike most of the contenders, it does keep to a trilogy of ingredients. Only thing: its gravy is dulce de leche and its curds are marshmallows.

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Sam Cha’s Kimchi Fries: French fries topped with mozzarella cheese, stir-fried kimchi and pork, a drizzle of mayo and a yolky egg — we are here for it, but it isn’t poutine.

This Might Work

Thali Indian’s Shahi Poutine: Butter chicken has become a somewhat typical overhaul when it comes to poutine (several restaurants are doing it this year, and others have in the past), but Thali Indian’s addition of shahi paneer (cubes of cheese submerged in a thick, velvety tomato-based gravy) make it stand out.

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Burger Bar: Unlike many of its peers, Burger Bar already had a classic poutine on its menu from which to bounce off. It adds popcorn chicken and buffalo and ranch sauces to it, which may mix in a visually unsavoury way, but does sound like it could bring a dose of freshness without venturing into the generally unwelcome veggie department.

You Got My Attention...

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Ho Lee Chix’s Yin Yang poutine: A mix of regular and sweet potato shoestring fries and Ho Lee Chix’s raved-about fried chicken are topped on one side with a red jelly-like sauce and on the other a creamy pea and corn gravy. Though the description leaves out the cheese curds, the photo shows them peering through. Difficult to say whether this one will sing — but at least you get two dishes in one.

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Nickels Smoky Mountain: Leave it to Quebec diner chain Nickels to add an entire smoked meat sandwich (even if a mini one) on top of a poutine, have it propped up with bacon scaffolding, and drizzle it with yellow mustard. It reads like a publicity stunt, but simultaneously brings a welcome solution to the age-old question: Do I opt for the poutine or the smoked meat sandwich?

This Doesn’t Feel Right

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Faberge’s Fabergé Stack: Elevating poutine with the addition of, say, foie gras or duck confit is acceptable in the poutine playbook, but transforming it so that a fork and knife choreography appears necessary strays a little too far off. Faberge does keep it simple with a potato patty, curds, and a creamy sausage gravy, which doesn’t sound terrible at all, but, again, not being able to shovel it down quickly doesn’t sit very well with us.

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Taco-Signature’s Taco-Poutine: The guacamole isn’t the issue here since we’ve seen the topping warmly embraced by the patrons of Poutineville, La Banquise, and Paulo et Suzanne. It’s the soft taco shell. First off, adding a carb to the already heavy line-up can be risky, but turning it into a handheld affair is the real grievance, even if the filling is delicious. One of the beauties of poutine has always been that despite how utterly defeated you may feel after eating it, you never have to get your hands dirty.