"Customize Your Poutine Experience in Montreal No visit to Montreal is complete without a good poutine, preferably late at night (it is well-known among Montrealers that poutine is the best cure for a hangover). But instead of hitting the touristy Old Port joints or the busy Banquise, why not explore a new area and taste an authentic poutine at Poutineville. This no-frills neighborhood favorite is my personal favorite because, 1) it's delicious, 2) it's cheap, and 3) it has so many options you'll spend more time picking the toppings than actually eating! My go-to option: regular sauce, potato wedges, extra cheese, and frankfurter slices. You're welcome!"

"Poutine in Montreal Poutine is the stuff of legends, much to the chagrin of many Canadians. It is the one food non-Canadians seem to know the most about, and a snack of this heavy dish is at the top of the list for most visitors to Montreal . Even though it can be found throughout Canada , poutine got its start in Quebec back in the 1950s and truly is a collage—some would say train wreck—of ingredients. The classic recipe is simple, really: french fries topped with brown gravy and curd cheese. But this simple explanation really doesn’t do it justice. Like many other comfort foods, poutine may not be the healthiest dish, but there is just something satisfying about the experience. I love sharing a big bowl amongst friends, each armed with a fork scouting out the best fries and melty cheese curds as the gravy drips drop by drop into the bowl below. There are a thousand varieties of poutine, including BBQ, lobster, and even foie gras, but there’s nothing like the simple original version."

"Poutine on Plateau Mont-Royal If you are moving to Montreal or spending a few weeks on the Plateau Mont-Royal, you must pay a visit to Ma’am Bolduc. Located in a graded building on the eastern, less glamorous but more authentic side of the neighborhood, the restaurant has been in business for over 45 years and offers pretty much every staple of Québécois cuisine, including delicious poutine. Very few tourists know about this place, although the locals are more than willing to share their best kept secret in the name of gluttony. Definitely a "mingle with the locals" type of experience! Pictured above is the "Chien Chaud" (literally, hot dog) poutine, where a regular poutine is topped with tender onions and frankfurters. Bon appétit!"

"100 Years of Poutine It's still unclear which is the most popular greasy spoon in town, but few beat Montreal Pool Room. Established in 1912, this place is ocated on what used to be the most dangerous street corner in town, and it still maintains its reputation as a seedy late-night eatery. Happily without actual creeps, thanks to the rejuvenation of the neighborhood and its having become the Quartier des Spectacles. The house specialties: steamed top-loaded hot dogs and, of course, poutine, with tons of cheese curds. Also, despite being called a "pool room," you won't find a pool table, or anything related to pool for that matter, in this establishment. But most are willing to forgive this nonsense in the face of an extra cheese topping on their poutine."

"Poutine for Breakfast This Plateau Mont-Royal institution just celebrated its five-year anniversary with a bang, and it is with great pleasure that I joined in the festivities and ordered my favorite dish on the menu: the breakfast poutine. If you are not one for late-night, post-club poutine, as most Montrealers do, then maybe this option will be a little more appealing. Forget the gravy. This poutine consists of roasted potatoes, hollandaise sauce, pieces of bacon and ham, with eggs on top and a hint of maple syrup. Yes, it is as rich and delicious as it sounds, and it will rock your taste buds in a way you never imagined. The restaurant also has a full brunch menu with very original options. I've never tasted anything here that wasn't good. But for a truly memorable experience, go with the poutine."

"Chef Martin Picard is one of the leaders of Montréal's restaurant scene, introducing diners—and other chefs—to a new appreciation of the bounty of local ingredients grown and produced in Québec. (He is also a television celebrity both as the host of The Wild Chef on the Food Network in Canada and thanks to a visit by Anthony Bourdain on No Reservations .) His restaurant, Au Pied de Cochon, opened in 2001 in the Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood, and it continues to be an exceedingly popular and lively place. As its name implies, the eatery has a menu that's heavy on pork, as well as foie gras. While it may not be the place to start a diet, you'll finish your meal satisfied."

"Belgian Fries, Cheese, Gravy and Frankfurters Frite Alors! isn't entirely dedicated to poutine. It's first and foremost a Belgian-style french fry eatery, and in Montreal , he who says french fries says poutine. What makes the poutine at Frite Alors! so delicious is 1) the incredible fries, and 2) the themed mixtures. Me, I always go for the Viennese—regular poutine with bits of frankfurters. Yum. My manly man has a thing for the Bourguignonne, a poutine topped with delicious braised beef. And, true to their Belgian roots, the restaurant's menus and decor are strongly inspired by comics, which only makes the dining experience a more whimsical. There are about ten different locations throughout the city, perfect for a impromptu poutine craving."

"Can Budget Bites Also Be Delicious and Stylish? Yes, They Can. Where in Montreal can diners hope for an affordable meal that isn't drenched in oil or entirely free of flavors? At L'Gros Luxe, that's where. This stylish neighborhood watering hole may look like a hip, Victorian-inspired and overall super cool place but the truth is that anyone is welcome; from ladies who lunch, young families who brunch or friends out to celebrate a birthday. Portions at L'Gros Luxe are smaller than a regular meal but bigger than tapas, and yet prices are always under $8 per plate. L'Gros Luxe strives to bring its customer the freshest, locally-sourced produce available, and the way they can afford to cut back on prices is by making literally everything in house - from sauces to veggie patties from scratch. Their poutine is quite a mouthful - tater tots, cheese curds, veggie gravy and green onions. A nice change, and something poutine aficionados should not deprive themselves from. Their legendary Ceasars, which are topped with a mini grilled-cheese, are simply mindblowing. And easy on the wallet."