Poutine is the perfect meal for any occasion, and I’m prepared to die on that hill. As someone born and bred in Quebec, I feel inherently qualified to tell you where to stop for poutine in the downtown Kingston core.
5. Melt & Grill
Despite how this initially reads, this is by no means a Melt & Grill hit piece. I’m a fan and proponent of their veggie melt panini, but their poutine just doesn’t measure up to that of those higher up on my list.
Fries: 2/10. The only available option for your poutine’s foundation is waffle fries.
Gravy: 4/10. This sauce is begging to be watered down.
Cheese: 2/10. The curds are just too soft!
4. Bubba’s Poutine
This one might feel controversial, and I apologize, but I don’t get the hype. Maybe my experience was a unique one, but I didn’t find it was the best poutine I’ve ever had. I’m open to giving it another go, but for now Bubba’s stands firmly in fourth place.
Fries: 5/10. The fries were very obviously frozen and slightly burnt.
Gravy: 3/10. Wasn’t crazy about the thickness or colouring.
Cheese: 3/10. The curds were exactly as you’d expect. Rubbery.
3. Tommy’s
If there’s one thing I appreciate about Tommy’s, it’s the variety. Their poutine list is as long as my forearm, and a pierogi poutine is something you’ll struggle to find anywhere else. Believe me, it exists. Sure, it’s a little unconventional, but who cares!
Fries: 9/10. Big fan.
Gravy: 7/10. The gravy is lovely, but it’s the garlic and onion toppings that do it for me!
Cheese: 8/10. A little bit soft for my liking, but not something that would prevent me from going back again and again and again!
2. Harper’s Burger Bar
They have three options; “Quebec Style,” “Some Pig,” and “Thai.” Their Quebec-style poutine is true to form, and I don’t know anyone who’s tried it and wasn’t obsessed. As always, much love to Harper’s.
Fries: 10/10. Perfect all around, no complaints here. They also let you change up what fries you want as the foundation of your poutine!
Gravy: 8/10. I usually never have this critique, but I wouldn’t mind more gravy.
Cheese: 10/10. No shortage of cheesy goodness!
1. Smoke’s Poutinerie
Putting Smoke’s Poutinerie anywhere other than its rightful first place would be a crime, and I’m not in the business of crime.
Fries: 10/10. Considering French fries are just a vessel for the gravy and cheese curds, these ones are great. Stellar consistency.
Gravy: 10/10. The gravy is top-notch, and, as a vegetarian, I can appreciate their meat-free alternative. It’s silky, smooth, and the perfect colour. It literally doesn’t get any better than this.
Cheese: 9/10. Perhaps just my bias as a cheese-fiend, but Smoke’s poutine can always be cheesier.
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Dr. Matthew Evans
This Melt and Grill poutine slander will not stand!