The Poutine Showdown (The Final Chapter): The Next Level One
Introduction:
This is the final chapter of a four-part series pertaining to my trip to several places throughout Montreal that specialize in poutines, ultimately picking the winner after discussing the final entry. Poutine is the official food of Canada, and is a major staple in Montreal cuisine, as you’ll find dozens upon dozens of eateries that specialize in the dish that’s surprisingly young when compared to classic cultural staples like New York City’s pizza or even Ybor City’s Cuban sandwich.
The Classic poutine is essentially fresh fries, squeaky cheese curds, and brown gravy---and those recipes of course can vary. In the United States, my only poutine experiences include the Daily Poutine in Disney Springs (it used to be much much better before, I no longer recommend) and Le Cellier in Epcot (absolutely delightful).
For the record, I wasn’t disappointed in any of these places in Montreal, these are all recommendations even if I pick a “winner.” All of these spots deserve a visit, deserve all the love and success that Montrealers and tourists can possibly hand to them. On to the FINAL EPISODE!!!
The Next Level One: Gaspesie Bistro
Alright, this final entry was a last-minute one, because it was during the last day and I had not expected to find it. Inside the super-popular Le Central, a cluster of upscale food kiosks and social drinking spaces, I found a place that was offering one of the most unique poutines I’ve ever seen.
Here are the wild details: Parmesan fries, sea bacon (whatever that means, I’m sure it makes more sense in its native French language), alfredo sauce, melted cheese, lobster, shrimp, and crab—and I think it even has trout somewhere in there. So basically, a medley of seafood in poutine form. With a price tag somewhere around $30, its not bad considering all the different varieties of seafood. I wanted to close out the trip with something wild, something I wouldn’t find here in Florida (although, judging by the ingredients in hand, it should be a staple here).
So picture the greatest seafood pasta dish you can imagine, and then substitute the pasta itself with fries, it’s a blend of rich seafood and creamy pasta sauce that is guaranteed to leave you with a smile. The combination is perfect, the alfredo actually gets along with the fries quite well, the seafood was super-fresh and doesn’t overpower the other ingredients involved, and like every other poutine I’ve had it’s a heavy-portioned dish and should be shared for maximum enjoyment.
The place itself scores points for maximizing flavor and service in such a small space, and having to share the building with over a dozen other kiosks with their own menus and their own specialty items. Le Central is worthy of a dozen visits, but make sure this place is among your destinations in at least one of them. I’m giving Gaspesie Bistro Gourmet its props, its one of the stand-outs in a journey that luckily for me already had so many standouts.
Le Central (Featuring Gaspesie Bistro Gourmet)
30 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal, Quebec H2X 0C8, Canada
——————————————————————————————————-
The Winner
——————————————————————————————————-
It was very difficult to establish a winner, for these were all winners in my book for providing so much good food and so many great memories. Each of these places had their own unique spin on the national dish, some still closely following the recipe and others drifting far away from it.
However, the title is going to Ma Poule Mouillee because their poutine in particular was just sheer perfection. The chorizo, the thick cheese curds, their chicken, it was just a combination that’s leagues above any garbage pile/French fry platter I can find in Florida. Here in Canada, there are stronger competitors, but for its price, size, scope, and ability to stay fresh and crispy in spite of all the toppings involved, Ma Poule has reached the mountaintops and discovered the secret to French fry perfection.
If you have a week to spend in Montreal at least, I recommend them all. But if you have 24 hours to spare before moving to the next adventure, then Ma Poule Mouillee and the required mental recovery visit to the nearby park is my top pick.