Another day of poutine – we went to Poutini’s for lunch yesterday. Poutini’s is a restaurant that specializes in just poutine and is located on Queen Street West, just past Ossington.

1. I heard about this place from my friend Cynthia who is craving poutine in Asia right now. Is mean that I satisfied her craving and now I’m posting all the juicy details about it? And she has to wait another two weeks before she can have some! We were talking about poutine and she mentioned this place. I went online to check it out and as soon as I saw the bacon poutine on the menu that you can add maple syrup to I was sold.

2. It’s a tiny restaurant with bars instead of tables. Not all of the bars have seating, and the seating that is available are these tree stumps which are glued to the floor (guess how I discovered that…). The menu is written on a huge chalkboard above the counter where you order and the choices are plentiful. Every way you have ever imagined poutine come together in two different sizes: Regular and Teeny Weeny Tiny (legitimately). Don’t let the name fool or shame you – the Teeny Weeny Tiny would be sufficient. But GC and I were proud and thought we had something to prove and got the regular. Of course, we conquered them but next time maybe we shouldn’t be so ambitious…

Also, be warned – there is no washroom here. We debated the legalities of this and I assume it must be legal because this place exists. I don’t mean to bring this up to get anyone in trouble, or make it sound like a complaint, I just found it slightly odd and I am warning people to be aware of their bladder needs before and/or after entering this poutinerie.

3. Now here comes the heart attack – the poutine. This got me a little food drunk. Now, for those of you that don’t know, food drunk is a legitimate condition that befalls one when they indulge in high quality food in large quantities. This is an affliction I constantly find myself stricken by. It leaves you giddy, and warm, and smiling. I wouldn’t suggest driving while food drunk.

Here is the poutine (they each get full size images because it is too much not to):

I ordered the Bacon Poutine. Everything about this is perfection. Hand cut fries that are perfectly fried, super crispy so they don’t get soggy at the bottom of the cup, drowning in a sea of gravy and sorrows. Squeaky cheese curds – my favourite part about eating poutine is that squeak against your teeth. Most places don’t use real cheese curds and if they do, they are not good quality. The gravy was flavourful and had the right amount of spice. The bacon was crispy, crunchy and fatty. And of course, I added maple syrup. The maple complimented the bacon so well and the gravy/syrup mixture was sweet and savoury at the same time.

GC ordered The Works Poutine – traditional poutine topped with sour cream, bacon and chives. The sour cream was creamy but not heavy on top of the already heavy poutine. The chives were fresh and crispy on a cold winter day. And of course, add bacon and everything gets better.

We washed down these poutines with some Boylan’s sodas in old fashioned glass bottles. Hip and contemporary without the pretentiousness and rage causing elements that typically accompany restaurants and stores on Queen West. This is my new favourite poutine spot – sorry, Smoke’s Poutine, you have met your match.

I am planning my next visit already – the pulled pork poutine. Any takers?