18 Places for Damn Fine Fries in Montreal

Through thick-cut and thin, Montreal restaurants and diners know how to work a potato

by Holly Tousignant Oct 16, 2019, 9:00am EDT

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by Holly Tousignant Oct 16, 2019, 9:00am EDT

1 comment / new

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For something so simple (and so ubiquitous), french fries can be a surprisingly contentious topic. Thick-cut or skinny? Seasoned with spices or simply salted? Served with a side of gravy, ketchup, or mayo? Everyone has a preference, whether it be sweet, dark casse-croûte-style patates, crisp-on-the-outside-pillowy-on-the-inside British-style “chips” or crispy, animal fat-fried Belgian frites, and comparing one to the other can be like comparing apples and oranges (or Suzi Qs and wedges, as the case may be).

The type of fries one prefers says a lot about a person, and luckily for you, this map features 18 places with delicious, crispy fries of all stripes, from late-night snack bars like Patati Patata and Paulo & Suzanne to higher end options like L’Express and Le Majestique, and everything in between.

If it’s poutine specifically you’re after, there’s (obviously) a separate map for that, but even in this poutine-mad city, the fries on this list make it worth skipping the cheese curds and gravy and instead dipping into the condiment of your choosing.

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Frite Alors (multiple locations)

True, Frites Alors has a certain chain-restaurant vibe, but it’s one of fewer places to offer Belgian-style fries. It does them justice across a dozen locations scattered throughout the city — like all good Belgian frites, they’re crispy, light in colour, fried in animal fat, and best enjoyed with a side of mayo.

171 Rue Villeray, Montréal, QC H2R 1G4, Canada

Visit Website

Chez Tousignant

Chez Tousignant, a 21st century update of a classic casse-croûte, offers diner comfort food at its best: burgers, hotdogs, pogos, grilled cheese and milkshakes, all available with a side of delicious, crispy fries.

6956 Rue Drolet, Montréal, QC H2S 2T3, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Maamm Bolduc

This homey Plateau casse-croûte has been providing Montrealers with those slightly sweet, classic Quebec fries since the early 70s. Get yours in a poutine (with classic brown gravy, pepper sauce or Italian dressing) or plain with a burger, hotdog, or club sandwich — there’s a spicy fries option, too.

4351 Avenue de Lorimier, Montréal, QC H2H 2B3, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

19 Must-Try Montreal Poutines

Paulo & Suzanne

Visiting 24-hour diner Paulo & Suzanne feels like partaking in a longstanding neighbourhood tradition — even if the neighbourhood, Cartierville, isn’t your own. The takeout window and checkered interior are delightfully retro and the generous portions of flawless fries are ideal for sharing.

5501 Boul Gouin O, Montréal, QC H4J 1C8, Canada

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Also featured in:

Le Terminal

Visit Le Terminal for the extensive list of craft beers, stay for the amazingly crispy fries. Order a hefty plate of them with house mayo or get ‘em as a side to one of the pubby mains like burgers and tartares.

1875 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, Montréal, QC H2H 2N9, Canada

Visit Website

Nouveau Système

A visit to retro diner Nouveau Système on Beaubien (no relation to New System BBQ in St-Henri) is like stepping into the past — and with fries this good, why would anyone want to change a thing?

323 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, QC H2S 1R9, Canada

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brendan Birkett (@bbkettt) on Mar 23, 2015 at 7:53am PDT

Ma Poule Mouillée

Rotisserie chicken may be the focus at Ma Poule Mouillée, but the Portuguese grill does a mean poutine, too (better than that of neighbour La Banquise, many would argue). The fries are delicious in their own right, and just as good dipped in the house piri-piri sauce.

969 Rachel St E, Montreal, QC H2J 2J2, Canada

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Also featured in:

L'Anecdote

Cute Plateau diner L’Anecdote is popular for its burgers and vintage ambience, but the fries are also a highlight. Just be warned: L’Anecdote doesn’t play around with portion sizes, and a large order of hand-cut fries, served with the option of regular, spicy, aioli, or curry mayo, could be more accurately labelled as “massive”.

Open in Google Maps

801 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2J 2H6, Canada

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by L'anecdote (@restaurant_lanecdote) on May 25, 2018 at 1:44pm PDT

L'Express

A world away from the greasy, no frills diners that dominate this list, this iconic French bistro on St-Denis is known for its steak frites — and while the hangar steak is the focal point, the frites are certainly no afterthought.

3927 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M4, Canada

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Also featured in:

Leméac

Outremont French staple Leméac doesn’t stop at one form of fried potatoes — there’s a choice between relatively thin-cut fries, and crispy, ultra-thin pommes allumettes — get either one on its own, or paired up with mussels or steak (the regular fries) or tartare (the matchsticks).

1045 Avenue Laurier O, Outremont, QC H2V 2L1, Canada

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Also featured in:

Patati Patata

This Plateau hole-in-the-wall snack bar’s crispy shoestring fries are made all the more crispy by their thinness. Take a heaping box of them to go, or wait for one of the coveted few seats to become available.

4177 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Christina (@potstickersnpoutine) on May 23, 2019 at 3:18pm PDT

Le Majestique

Bustling oyster and cocktail bar Le Majestique (famous for its $22 footlong hot dog) is the kind of place you show up to with the thought of grabbing a “quick snack” to accompany your drinks and end up eating a meal’s worth of food before you know it. Make sure you leave room for a cone of delicious fries.

4105 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Resto Bar Le Majestique (@lemajestique) on Jan 26, 2017 at 4:15pm PST

Brit & Chips (multiple locations)

The fries — or chips, rather — at this classic UK-inspired “chippy” are everything that British-style chips should be: thick, fluffy planks of potato goodness inside a crispy exterior. Best enjoyed with a side of battered fish (or tofu), mushy peas, and a pint.

433 Rue McGill, Montréal, QC H2Y 2H1, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Mister Steer

A fixture of downtown Montreal since 1958, iconic burger joint Mister Steer is one of the few places in the city to offer curly fries, or “Suzy Qs”. An ideal accompaniment to the simple but beloved burgers.

1198 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Montréal, QC H3B 1K1, Canada

Visit Website

Greenspot

Those whose french fry preferences skew towards the fat, thick-cut variety should head to this iconic diner in St-Henri, where grease is the word, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or a late-night snack you fancy.

3041 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1N9, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Paul Patates

This thoroughly unpretentious Pointe-St-Charles diner has been a neighbourhood staple since the ‘50s. Known for its steamies, spruce beer and poutine, Paul Patates also does great, quintessentially Québécois fries.

0760 Rue Charlevoix, Montréal, QC H3K 2Y2, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

15 Essential Montreal Hot Dogs

Chalet Bar-B-Q

Old school NDG rotisserie joint Chalet Bar-B-Q is (naturally) known for its chicken, but what’s a top-notch plate of rotisserie chicken without equally delicious fries to accompany it?

5456 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal, QC H4A 1V9, Canada

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aaron Polsky (@anchoviesanonymous) on Jul 18, 2017 at 10:44am PDT

Also featured in:

Comptoir 21 (multiple locations)

Comptoir 21 serves its classic menu of fish and chips (along with burgers, hot dogs and poutine — this is Montreal, after all) at retro wooden counters in Verdun, the Plateau, and Mile End. The UK-meets-Quebec fries hold up alone, or can be dipped into one of the six sauces on offer.

Open in Google Maps

4844 Rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1X2, Canada

Visit Website

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Frite Alors (multiple locations)

171 Rue Villeray, Montréal, QC H2R 1G4, Canada

True, Frites Alors has a certain chain-restaurant vibe, but it’s one of fewer places to offer Belgian-style fries. It does them justice across a dozen locations scattered throughout the city — like all good Belgian frites, they’re crispy, light in colour, fried in animal fat, and best enjoyed with a side of mayo.

171 Rue Villeray, Montréal, QC H2R 1G4, Canada

Visit Website

Chez Tousignant

6956 Rue Drolet, Montréal, QC H2S 2T3, Canada

Chez Tousignant, a 21st century update of a classic casse-croûte, offers diner comfort food at its best: burgers, hotdogs, pogos, grilled cheese and milkshakes, all available with a side of delicious, crispy fries.

6956 Rue Drolet, Montréal, QC H2S 2T3, Canada

Visit Website

Maamm Bolduc

4351 Avenue de Lorimier, Montréal, QC H2H 2B3, Canada

This homey Plateau casse-croûte has been providing Montrealers with those slightly sweet, classic Quebec fries since the early 70s. Get yours in a poutine (with classic brown gravy, pepper sauce or Italian dressing) or plain with a burger, hotdog, or club sandwich — there’s a spicy fries option, too.

4351 Avenue de Lorimier, Montréal, QC H2H 2B3, Canada

Visit Website

Paulo & Suzanne

5501 Boul Gouin O, Montréal, QC H4J 1C8, Canada

Visiting 24-hour diner Paulo & Suzanne feels like partaking in a longstanding neighbourhood tradition — even if the neighbourhood, Cartierville, isn’t your own. The takeout window and checkered interior are delightfully retro and the generous portions of flawless fries are ideal for sharing.

5501 Boul Gouin O, Montréal, QC H4J 1C8, Canada

Visit Website

Le Terminal

1875 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, Montréal, QC H2H 2N9, Canada

Visit Le Terminal for the extensive list of craft beers, stay for the amazingly crispy fries. Order a hefty plate of them with house mayo or get ‘em as a side to one of the pubby mains like burgers and tartares.

1875 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, Montréal, QC H2H 2N9, Canada

Visit Website

Nouveau Système

323 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, QC H2S 1R9, Canada

A visit to retro diner Nouveau Système on Beaubien (no relation to New System BBQ in St-Henri) is like stepping into the past — and with fries this good, why would anyone want to change a thing?

323 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, QC H2S 1R9, Canada

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brendan Birkett (@bbkettt) on Mar 23, 2015 at 7:53am PDT

Ma Poule Mouillée

969 Rachel St E, Montreal, QC H2J 2J2, Canada

Rotisserie chicken may be the focus at Ma Poule Mouillée, but the Portuguese grill does a mean poutine, too (better than that of neighbour La Banquise, many would argue). The fries are delicious in their own right, and just as good dipped in the house piri-piri sauce.

969 Rachel St E, Montreal, QC H2J 2J2, Canada

Visit Website

L'Anecdote

801 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2J 2H6, Canada

Cute Plateau diner L’Anecdote is popular for its burgers and vintage ambience, but the fries are also a highlight. Just be warned: L’Anecdote doesn’t play around with portion sizes, and a large order of hand-cut fries, served with the option of regular, spicy, aioli, or curry mayo, could be more accurately labelled as “massive”.

Open in Google Maps

801 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2J 2H6, Canada

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by L'anecdote (@restaurant_lanecdote) on May 25, 2018 at 1:44pm PDT

L'Express

3927 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M4, Canada

A world away from the greasy, no frills diners that dominate this list, this iconic French bistro on St-Denis is known for its steak frites — and while the hangar steak is the focal point, the frites are certainly no afterthought.

3927 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M4, Canada

Visit Website

Leméac

1045 Avenue Laurier O, Outremont, QC H2V 2L1, Canada

Outremont French staple Leméac doesn’t stop at one form of fried potatoes — there’s a choice between relatively thin-cut fries, and crispy, ultra-thin pommes allumettes — get either one on its own, or paired up with mussels or steak (the regular fries) or tartare (the matchsticks).

1045 Avenue Laurier O, Outremont, QC H2V 2L1, Canada

Visit Website

Patati Patata

4177 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada

This Plateau hole-in-the-wall snack bar’s crispy shoestring fries are made all the more crispy by their thinness. Take a heaping box of them to go, or wait for one of the coveted few seats to become available.

4177 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Christina (@potstickersnpoutine) on May 23, 2019 at 3:18pm PDT

Le Majestique

4105 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada

Bustling oyster and cocktail bar Le Majestique (famous for its $22 footlong hot dog) is the kind of place you show up to with the thought of grabbing a “quick snack” to accompany your drinks and end up eating a meal’s worth of food before you know it. Make sure you leave room for a cone of delicious fries.

4105 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Resto Bar Le Majestique (@lemajestique) on Jan 26, 2017 at 4:15pm PST

Brit & Chips (multiple locations)

433 Rue McGill, Montréal, QC H2Y 2H1, Canada

The fries — or chips, rather — at this classic UK-inspired “chippy” are everything that British-style chips should be: thick, fluffy planks of potato goodness inside a crispy exterior. Best enjoyed with a side of battered fish (or tofu), mushy peas, and a pint.

433 Rue McGill, Montréal, QC H2Y 2H1, Canada

Visit Website

Mister Steer

1198 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Montréal, QC H3B 1K1, Canada

A fixture of downtown Montreal since 1958, iconic burger joint Mister Steer is one of the few places in the city to offer curly fries, or “Suzy Qs”. An ideal accompaniment to the simple but beloved burgers.

1198 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Montréal, QC H3B 1K1, Canada

Visit Website

Greenspot

3041 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1N9, Canada

Those whose french fry preferences skew towards the fat, thick-cut variety should head to this iconic diner in St-Henri, where grease is the word, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or a late-night snack you fancy.

3041 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1N9, Canada

Visit Website

Paul Patates

0760 Rue Charlevoix, Montréal, QC H3K 2Y2, Canada

This thoroughly unpretentious Pointe-St-Charles diner has been a neighbourhood staple since the ‘50s. Known for its steamies, spruce beer and poutine, Paul Patates also does great, quintessentially Québécois fries.

0760 Rue Charlevoix, Montréal, QC H3K 2Y2, Canada

Visit Website

Chalet Bar-B-Q

5456 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal, QC H4A 1V9, Canada

Old school NDG rotisserie joint Chalet Bar-B-Q is (naturally) known for its chicken, but what’s a top-notch plate of rotisserie chicken without equally delicious fries to accompany it?

5456 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal, QC H4A 1V9, Canada

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aaron Polsky (@anchoviesanonymous) on Jul 18, 2017 at 10:44am PDT

Comptoir 21 (multiple locations)

4844 Rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1X2, Canada

Comptoir 21 serves its classic menu of fish and chips (along with burgers, hot dogs and poutine — this is Montreal, after all) at retro wooden counters in Verdun, the Plateau, and Mile End. The UK-meets-Quebec fries hold up alone, or can be dipped into one of the six sauces on offer.

Open in Google Maps

4844 Rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1X2, Canada

Visit Website