“Poutine?! You’re only supposed to eat poutine when you’re drunk!” exclaims my middle-aged Indian cab driver after my confession that I’d eaten poutine twice the day before. He’s just tried (unsuccessfully) convincing Emma and I to go clubbing rather than returning to our respective accommodations for the evening like the little old ladies that we are.
“Well, technically we did eat it after drinks last night. But I also had it for lunch yesterday..”
Maybe I should be a bit embarrassed about that, but let me explain. Poutine was the only Canadian dish I could really think to eat (I’m sure there are loads more out there, beyond bacon and maple syrup), so while in Toronto, I made it my goal to stop at Smoke’s Poutinerie for lunch one day. Then, after about twelve hours of not eating and a couple of drinks in, I was hungry. So I convinced fellow partygoers, Emma and Alouise, to stop off at the same place for more poutine. At midnight.
It seems that everyone’s got an opinion about poutine–when to eat it; where to eat it; which kind to eat. When I excitedly told my new friend, Cailin, that I’d tried my first poutine–chicken curry to be exact–she wrinkled her nose at me.
“Megan! You’re supposed to eat traditional poutine. That’s the only kind you should eat.”
“But, the curry was good! And then I tried the nacho kind, too!”
“Nacho poutine?” she asked disgustedly.
“With chili, beans, jalapeños, salsa, sour cream.. I needed a little bit of Texas!”
“Oh no, I don’t even like beans. And that sounds horrible. Traditional is the only kind.”
Luckily for her, I think she’s adorable, so I let that bean-hate slide.
But in all seriousness, the poutine was pretty great, and the nacho one was actually the better of the two. The curry was pretty decent, but a bit overwhelming for me (coming from a woman who loves her curry), and the curry+cheese combo just didn’t really do it for me. However, chili, cheese, salsa, etc. all poured overtop of French fries is like a new wave of Frito pie. And for the record, I totally think it’s okay to eat poutine whenever you want. Wherever you want. However you want. (I won’t judge!)
Mmmm poutine. I still don’t understand why the US hasn’t picked this up. I mean fries = good, cheese = good, gravy = good. The three together = fantastic. Add some beers and you’ve got the perfect late night snack.
I love the nontraditional poutines as well. I’d just say if you are going to go for the traditional poutine make sure you get cheese curds, not grated cheese or cheese sauce. The cheese curds make the poutine, well poutine.
Alouise recently posted..Wolseley, Saskatchewan – A Reason To Get Off The Highway
Alouise, Chili cheese fries! We have these! We just call it chili cheese fries. Sometimes you can get nacho fries. I’m not sure if I’ve ever had cheese fries with gravy. Now I want to explore some southern eateries in Nashville or New Orleans. The search for the American Poutine is on!
Lindsay recently posted..The Business of Travel Blogging: Reflections from TBEX in Toronto
I will definitely try the traditional at some point, but I need to go to a legit place for it–not a place where you can pop in drunk at 2am!
Even though I occasionally give in to some pulled pork poutine, I’ve got to side with Cailin on this one. You need to try the classic sometime before you start loading other ingredients on board! Walk before you run. :P
Melissa recently posted..The Mighty Turtle Ship
Haha, well, we’ve passed that point–I’ve already run! But I’ll definitely try the traditional sometime in Quebec. ;)
Why didn’t I try poutine!! I think I casually dismissed it as souped-up french fries. I’m very jealous of your curry poutine – even the nacho poutine…
Lindsay recently posted..The Business of Travel Blogging: Reflections from TBEX in Toronto
Lindsay, let’s go back to Canada!!
In Southern California we have something called Carne Asada Fries that you can find in just about any Mexican restaurant. It is french fries smothered with carne asada, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, and salsa. It’s our go-to food after a night of drinking.
CeCe recently posted..….And Do The Harlem Shake
Hmm.. now I’m going to look around for this in Austin, CeCe! Thanks for the tip! :)
So I realized today we have a small plate restaurant here in Memphis that does poutine. I’ll have to try it and let you know how it compares. But for the true comparison I’ll have to have at least a little buzz going first.
Lance recently posted..Remembering D-Day in Normandy
Do it! I’m eager to hear how TN poutine stacks up against Canadian!!
I ate an over-abundance of poutine at TBEX. When in Canada, eh? :)
Have to admit I didn’t get as fancy as you did. I had bacon cheeseburger, double pork, bacon, and traditional, and traditional was definitely a favorite for me. I’m getting a craving for it right now thanks to these photos. :)
Erin at The World Wanderer recently posted..TBEX Reflections and Confessions.
Uh, the bacon cheeseburger one sounds a-mazing. Now I wish I’d tried that! Next time I’m in Canada, I know what I’m trying! :)
I’m a fan of the classic poutine. So good. I say it’s appropriate to eat anytime, anywhere!
I’ve actually found it surprisingly often down here in Australia. (But shredded cheese instead of curds of course).
Jill recently posted..From the Hip Friday
Oh wow! Wouldn’t have guessed it’d be easy to find in Australia! But the shredded cheese doesn’t sound quite as tasty as the curds.
You have absolutely no idea what your post has just done to me, Megan! I gotta get me some of that right now!
JR Riel recently posted..Chat With an Expat – How a Gypsy Girl From Oz Ended Up Living in Taiwan
Haha, I’m sorry, JR! Hope you manage to find some poutine. :)
I see nothing wrong with eating poutine multiple times a day and while sober. Or not pregnant, for that matter. We’ve got some great places in Portland that serve it up and I have no problem getting it whenever the mood hits.
Kimmy @ AfterGlobe recently posted..Mama’s Fish House
Haha, good, Kimmy! I’m glad we’re on the same page as far as poutine is concerned. I need to sniff out a poutine place close by. Craving some right now!
I used to eat poutine all the time when I lived in Montreal, They had a smoke’s poutine right near my work. I think poutine can be an everytime food. Don’t know how people can order the large servings though, (They Are Huge) haha
Ya your right Jill you can get it here in Australia, But it’s no where near as good without proper cheese curds :(
Thank you–poutine isn’t just drunk food! And I know! I could hardly finish the regular size, so I can’t even imagine what the larger one was like!