Emerged in the late 1950s from Quebec, Canada, Canadians was blessed with something amazing – poutine. Fast forward to the 21st century and poutine is still enjoyed all around the world.
Sometimes we wonder where do people get their crazy ideas from. Do they wake up one morning and tell themselves they should mix and match ingredients together – in this case add cheese curds and gravy to their fries.
Regardless of what it may be, we’re glad they did. Otherwise, could you imagine a world without poutine. Would something more interesting be invented or would we be stuck with fries and ketchup only – it’s not bad but not as great with cheese curds and gravy.
As mentioned above, the three main ingredients to the original poutine recipe were French fries and cheese curds topped with brown gravy. However, these days there are many variations and exotic options to this dish – meats and veggies add-on options, sauce that replaces the cheese curds and gravy, and Asian-fusion.
But there’s one item that is irreplaceable and that is the French fries.
Luckily, poutine wasn’t constricted to Quebec only. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have any in Toronto – or around the world, and will need to drive all the way to Quebec to enjoy this dish. Let’s take a peek at some of the best poutine in Toronto.
1. Nom Nom Nom Poutine
Image by: Xingyu S.
Address: 707 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 2W6 / AKA – Market 707
Phone: 647-636-0707
It’s true what they say about, “don’t judge a book by its cover”. This retrofitted shipping container is where you can find one of Toronto’s most amazing poutine.
Specializing in only poutine, Nom Nom Nom Poutine offers 7 different items on their menu with one being a vegetarian option.
Their poutine is not too greasy and the well-seasoned toppings – pulled pork, smoked meat, and spicy chicken, compliments the poutine flawlessly with their savoury flavours. Together with the squeaky cheese curds, which doesn’t feel rubbery at all, and the delicious gravy – it’s perfect.
For the meat lovers, the option of adding bacon as an enhancer is available which is highly recommended.
This poutine is best enjoyed while it’s still piping hot and crispy. Not saying getting take-out is bad, but the fries will start to get soggy due to the steam being trapped inside while it’s enroute. So, to enjoy their poutine to the fullest, it’s best to have it after it’s prepared.
Over at Nom Nom Nom Poutine, their poutine are priced reasonable, gives considerable portions, and service with a smile. That’s just superb!
2. Holy Chuck
Image by:Peter C.
Address: 4421 Hwy 7, Woodbridge, ON L4L 5W6
Phone: 905-851-6363
We already mentioned that Holy chucks makes one of the best burgers around and it goes true for their poutine as well.
Just like their burgers, the portion of their poutine is also large – enough to almost feed two people.
Topped with a lot of squeaky Quebec cheese curds and a lot of beef gravy, no skimping here, on hot fries, it melts the cheese curds and fusing everything together to create one delicious poutine.
You can also customize your fries. Don’t like the regular cut fries, then switch it up with the yam fries. Want your poutine to be spicy, then swap the beef gravy with their spicy raging bull gravy.
Whichever one you decide you can’t go wrong with Holy Chuck’s poutine.
3. Rudy
Image by:Herman W.
Address: 168 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, ON M4P 1A6 / Multiple Locations
Phone: 416-519-6967
Whether you’re at Rudy’s for their burger or for their poutine, you will not be disappointed with either choice as both options are equally delicious.
Their traditional Quebec style poutine with scrumptious thick cut fries, plenty of homemade gravy that is rich in flavour, and squeaky cheese curds makes their poutine a fulfilling dish that should satisfy anyone’s cravings.
Poutine is always best when they are served hot. So, if possible, why not dine-in at any of their locations to enjoy their delish foods. While you’re at it, go for the complete experience by ordering a burger and milkshake to accompany the poutine – you’ll be glad you did.
4. The Enchanted Poutinerie
Image by: Sophia K.
Address: 730 Wilson Ave, North York, ON M3K 1E2
Phone: 416-901-1993
Located around Wilson Ave and Dufferin St. is where you can find The Enchanted Poutinerie.
This nicely decorated restaurant, with lovely forest wallpapers, gives the place an enchanted vibe while you enjoy your food.
The popular item here is the unicorn poutine because of how exotic it looks. It still has all the excellent flavours a poutine should have, but the gravy is not the usual colour you’re more familiar with, it’s multi-coloured (red, blue, white) – tripping. While eating this, your brain is telling you it doesn’t look like a poutine but your taste buds is saying otherwise.
Other poutine worth trying here are the jerk chicken poutine and the pull pork poutine, they were all amazing and very filling.
Friendly staff, fresh ingredients, large poutine portions, and delightful presentation we can see why this place is being put on the spotlight.
5. Lady Marmalade
Image by @ladymrestaurant
Address: 265 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2G8
Phone: 647-351-7645
Have a morning itch for poutine but can’t find a restaurant opened early enough to serve that, then Lady Marmalade got you covered.
To those saying you shouldn’t have poutine for breakfast because it’s not healthy – meh. We don’t like to follow the rules. Why should you limit yourself? Food that you enjoy, you should be able to have it whenever you want – providing you could find a place opened when your cravings kick-in.
Available at Lady Marmalade is their A.M. POUTINE. Their home cut fries with cheese curds topped with miso gravy or hollandaise is a fulfilling meal. There’s also the option to add poached eggs, pulled pork, bacon, or braised beef which when added could elevate the overall poutine experience.
However, this place could get busy at times as it’s quite popular. They are only opened every day from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM and the average wait time is about 30 minutes. So, if you arrive there after 2PM and it’s busy, you may not get served.
6. Sea Witch Fish and Chip
Image by: Michael Krukar
Address: 636 St Clair Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario
Phone: 647 349 4824
Why be normal when you can be different here at Sea Witch Fish and Chip – one of Toronto’s top fish and chip places. If you’re craving poutine then go ahead and switch up those chips to a poutine!
Why should you be satisfied with only one or the other when you can have it all.
Large cut chips fried to a crisp, topped with cheese curds and beef gravy together with a hunk or two of succulent golden haddock, pickerel, cod, halibut, or trout, it’s a heavenly meal waiting to be enjoyed in this small and cozy restaurant.
There’s also no need tartar sauce with your hunk of fish when you have the deliciously gravy sauce – which is slowly infusing itself with the fries and melted cheese curds. You’ll be glad that you made the right choice to switch up those chips earlier.
7. Pho Metro
Image by: Angela F.
Address: 2057 Lawrence Ave E., Scarborough, Ontario
Phone: 416-750 – 8898
You’re probably wondering how did Pho Metro made this list. As you probably know they serve some of the best pho dishes (if not, now you did), but poutine, how is that possible as it isn’t even on their menu.
But…there is one item on their menu with fries on it that taste absolutely amazing and it’ll be a shame if we were to leave that out.
So, what is it? It’s their Kimchi Fries.
Yes, it doesn’t have squeaky cheese curds and yes, it doesn’t have beef gravy or anything, but that’s fine by our books.
A good portion of small cut fries with their house special mayo sauce, that is sweet in flavour, together with spicy kimchi this combination just comes perfectly together. I guess we can call this the Asian-fusion poutine.
If you want a luxury option, you can order it with beef, chicken, or pork. It’s the same meats they use on their bao and banh mi sandwiches, which is well seasoned and delicious.
Definitely should give this a try from their Banh Mi Metro menu.
8. Chris Jerk
Address: 2570 Birchmount Rd, Scarborough, ON M1T 2M5
Phone: 416-297-5375
We don’t think this place needs much introduction. Chris Jerk already makes one of the best jerk chickens and one of the best shawarmas in Toronto, so it’s no surprise they will make one of the best poutinetoo.
We can assure you we’re not sponsored by Chris Jerk – we just love their food that much.
Their shawarma poutine is delicious! Together with shredded jerk chicken on top of rich gravy, cheese, and deep-fried fries, this combination was screaming with flavour. The fries soaking up the smoky taste from the gravy and jerk chicken leaves you wanting more with each bite.
But remember, awesome food doesn’t last too long here at Chris Jerk as they tend to sell out quickly – and their shawarma poutine falls on that list. Don’t expect them to make a new batch of it too! Once it’s sold out, you’ll need to wait for the next day.
Usually by late afternoon we are unable to order their shawarma poutine anymore — this happened on a few occasions. So, if you are craving their shawarma poutine you may want to get an early jump on it.
