What is Poutine

If you’ve ever wondered what is Poutine, look no further. This great Canadian dish is made with french fries, gravy and cheese curds and has become the rage in many culinary circles.

Canadian French Fries with a Twist: Poutine

If you’ve seen this dish show up on your local pub’s menu and wondered what it is and why it’s all the rage in culinary circles, then you’ll want to check out the 411 on this must-taste recipe for Easy Canadian Poutine Fries.

Authentic Canadian Poutine has been called French Fries, Cheese Curds and Gravy or even Poutine Fries in some culinary circles.

You’ll find Poutine served as an appetizer, side dish and even a main course. It can even be served as is or alongside meat.

Poutine History: Where was Poutine Invented

The meaning of poutine (pronounced “poo-tin” or “poo-teen,” depending upon where you’re from in Canada) is basically “gravy and chips” or “chips cheese and gravy.” (Chips in the sense of french fries, as it’s known outside of the United States.)

The origin of Poutine started in Quebec, Canada, near Warwick, around 1957. The story is that a customer asked restaurant owner Fernand Lachance to add cheese curds to their order of french fries. Lachance wasn’t altogether thrilled about this request, saying that it would “make a dreadful mess,” but he did so out of respect to his customer’s request. Thus, Poutine was created.

So, thanks to the serendipitous customer and restauranteur Lachance, who invented Poutine, this dish has been celebrated ever since as a symbol of Canadian cuisine.

RELATED: 9 Fun Facts about Poutine

What Does Poutine Taste Like

Poutine tastes like a mix of the best french fries you’ve ever had, combined with the squeaky goodness of cheese curds, slathered not in ketchup but beefy gravy—yum!

It’s best if you eat it with a fork, sans hands—for goodness sake—and dip, dip away into the gravy, scooping up every bit of cheese along the way.

What Kind of Cheese Is in Poutine

Usually, the cheese curds in Poutine are white versus cheddar yellow. But around here in Wisconsin, you’ll most likely find the yellow version.

Where to Buy Cheese Curds

You might wonder where to buy cheese curds for Poutine. Simply put, if you live in Wisconsin, you have easy access to this product. If you live outside the borders, however, it might be a bit more difficult or non-existent thanks to laws forbidding the sale of this ingredient.

RELATED: Where to Find Cheese Curds – Wisconsin

Many grocery stores sell cheese curds either refrigerated or not. But because this product is perishable, it doesn’t have a long shelf-life and the renowned squeak that goes with cheese curds becomes obsolete after a day or so in the refrigerator. So fresh is always best.

What About the Fries

For Canadian Poutine, you can deep fry (which most folks do), air fry, or oven fry your french fries. They need, however, to be nice and crispy, because otherwise the gravy (See Below) will make them soggy.

I have a quick and easy go-to recipe that I rely on: Homemade French Fries Recipe. It uses only three ingredients and the results are amazing.

How to Make Poutine Gravy

There’s a lot of mystique surrounding Poutine gravy. Some folks choose to use St. Hubert Poutine Sauce (canned or in packet), while others hold their secret homemade recipe close to their culinary heart.

I share my own beef gravy recipe for poutine HERE.

However, if you’re looking for a delicious option that’s quick and easy, give the jarred version, like Heinz Homestyle Savory Beef Gravy, a try. This is my preferred option for this recipe, just saying.

What Goes with Poutine

Considered pub grub, Poutine is delicious as an appetizer, side and main dish and is now served at many restaurants, bars and taverns throughout North America.

You can pair Canadian Poutine with beer, lagers, ale, most mixed cocktails and specialty drinks, along with Hard Cider, as well as, your standard soft drinks.

Restaurants with Poutine Near Me

If you want to test out this amazingly delicious dish and you don’t want to make it yourself and you live in South East Wisconsin, you’ll find a number of restaurants that serve Poutine.

Local Restaurants and Venues That Serve Poutine Fries – Southeast Wisconsin

Here is a short list (not extensive) of those establishments serving Poutine as of today (6/2019):

• The Vanguard – Milwaukee
• The Cafe at the Plaza – Milwaukee
• Comet Cafe – Milwaukee
• Red Dot Tosa – Wauwatosa
• Milwaukee Burger Company – Franklin
• Drink Wisconsinbly Bar – Milwaukee
• West Allis Cheese and Sausage Shop – Milwaukee
• The Garage Bar – Kenosha
• Lazy Susan MKE – Milwaukee
• Branded – Iron Horse Hotel – Milwaukee
• Camino MKE – Walker’s Point
• Black Sheep MKE – Milwaukee
• Cudahy Burger Joint – Milwaukee
• Wisconsin State Fair – West Allis

Beyond Milwaukee

• Title Town Brewing Co. – Green Bay
• Ale Asylum, Madison

Has this recipe for Easy Canadian Poutine Fries whet your appetite yet? If so, do give it a try. You can find the recipe HERE.