Sneaking one in...

This post is sneaking onto the blog in two ways. First, because I wasn’t intended to post again until the new year. And second, because the blog is called Toronto Poutine, and this is most definitely a post dedicated to Montreal. But I’m home, celebrating the holidays, and thought you would allow me one from the road.

It’s pretty much impossible for me to come to Montreal without a stop at Lafleur’s. With almost 50 years of history, Lafleur’s serves up staples of Quebec cuisine: including steamed hot dogs and what I believe to be the best French Fries I’ve ever tasted.

In fact, the fries are so good that I rarely order poutine here. The fries on their own are enough. A sprinkle of vinegar and a liberal dosing of salt, and I’m happy.

But in service of you, dear readers, I doused these fries with gravy and cheese and sampled away.

As the base for a Lafleur’s poutine, the fries maintain everything that’s perfect about them. The perfect golden brown colour. The succulent texture (just soggy enough). The rich potato flavour. And both the gravy and the cheese are good. But they’re nowhere near the nirvana that the fries deliver. The gravy is, I dare say, even a tad salty. So what was an incredible serving of French fries has become a merely good poutine.

So I’ll keep enjoying them naked. Thank you very much. But there’s no doubt that they’ll continue to be an important (and delicious) part of my Montreal routine.

Bon appétit!

Fries: 5/5
Cheese: 4/5
Gravy: 3/5

Total: 12/15