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Frites Alors
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Restaurants Belgian Canadian (Traditional), Belgian [Edit]
3497, Boul. Saint-LaurentMontreal, QC H2X 2T6
(514) 840-9000
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11:30 am - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 4 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for Frites Alors
Review Highlights
22 reviews in English
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Review from Sasha B.
1/29/2012 2 photos
I think 3.5 stars is right on...
You've gotta love a one-city chain dedicated to that city's name sake - poutine.
I'm no poutine expert, being able to count my experiences on one hand, but I felt the poutine here was above average, but not amazing.
I'm still waiting to be blown away by poutine, but it wasn't here.... You will however have a consistent, affordable experience and they do have quite a good beer selection. -
Review from Tracey R.
Montréal, QC
2/27/2012
Frite-Alors has a following, although sometimes I wonder why...
The portions are small, the food is meh and the fries - their namesake - are barely decent...all this for a large price tag and below average service make this a no-go.
I would only consider returning if it was for a friend's birthday and they chose the place.
Overrated. -
Review from Charles G.
Montréal, QC
12/30/2011
Go in a group, there are a variety of sauces for the fries and it's fun trying a bunch. Order a wacky burger! The caribou burger was really interesting and very tasty. Bigger variety of soft drink that most places here. Great service and great price/experience ratio.
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Full Review:
This little franchise is a burger + fires joint with a twist.
They offer interesting meats in their burgers (caribou or bison anyone?) and one of their burgers has apples in it. It's a cosy little place with dim lighting and a happy waitress that was more than happy to stand around and listen while I spent 5 minutes looking at their fridge of drinks and figuring out which of the 12 or so unique mayo-based sauces I want to get with my fries.
The bizarre varieties of drinks, sauces and unique twists placed on the burgers is what makes this place delightful. You won't just go in there and order:
"Cheeseburger, all dressed and a coke."
It will sound more like this:
"I'll have the Rudolph with Indonesian sauce and a lime soda."
The Rudolph, which is the 3rd or 4th burger I've had there since I've discovered the place is a caribou with onion jam, pickles and a sour mayo sauce. It's the burger that finally made me decide to add this review to my burger list.
The flavour in the caribou was rich and juicy. Very enjoyable, especially with the sour pickle and sweet onion jam. It created a burst of flavour that I really enjoyed. The other burgers I've had before were also unique but all beef. They weren't as juicy but equally interesting. If you like green apples and brie (2 things I adore) I recommend having the burger that has those in it (can't remember it's name).
I would never really tell you to go to this place alone. Before I get to that, let me digress a moment: Food, isn't always necessarily related JUST to the way it tastes - at least I try and skew my reviews not to always reflect that. Situation and atmosphere are very important in eating.
So why never go alone to Frite Alors? It's multitude of mayo sauces. Every time I've been there, we were at least 3 people and we each order a different sauce so that we can mix and match and maximize the interesting experience that I always have when we go to Frite Alors.
The fries themselves aren't particularly special, but honestly, that doesn't mean anything to me. I come from Lebanon and while this may sound either extremely stupid or pompous, I've yet to taste a tuber like the ones grown in Lebanon. If I were to collective rate ALL fries I've had in Montreal, it wouldn't really exceed a 2* rating at it's VERY VERY best. -
Review from Linh N.
12/13/2011 3 photos
Early morning, what's better than a quite bite at Frite Alors. My boyfriend and I finally had our first taste of poutine in Montreal. We ordered the classic poutine and ate it on the go since we had quite a number of destinations to hit up. Hot poutine in the morning is amazing. Fries, gravy and cheese curds is just the perfect match made. I liked how the gravy tasted, light and definitely not to overwhelmingly salty. Pair it with the fries and cheese and I was having an early morning orgasm in my mouth.
So far, the best poutine I had in Montreal. But I certainly will keep looking. -
Review from Matthew M.
Saint-Léonard, QC
12/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Almost had to give it a 4 because of the absolutely outstanding service I received, but the food really wasn't that great.
For the price of decent food, this place offers a bit more than fast food. I ordered a pork burger and tried a regular beef burger, both were decently cooked and juicy. The fries weren't bad, very crunchy, not crispy, crunchy, which made for a not-so-great poutine. The fries were served with a number of mayonnaise based sauces to choose from, which were okay, but not a lot more than small portion of mayo + something. The salad was watery green on an awkward dish. All-in-all it was fine, not worth the hype, but worth the your business. -
Review from Monica M.
2/27/2012
You cannot visit Montreal/Quebec without trying some poutine but I really wanted a burger so my boyfriend ordered the poutine so I could taste it. I had the Le Bêêêrger which is a beef burger with goat cheese and bacon and I had the frites as my side and the American sauce. My burger was cooked to perfection and the goat cheese and bacon just absolutely made the burger delicious. The La Vladimir (classic) poutine was just okay. I ended up having a way better poutine at an Italian restaurant later in my trip. The place was packed with young college students which didn't really bother me much. All-in-all, it was a satisfying experience.
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Review from Sohini R.
6/2/2011 1 photo
If you are looking for authentic no-fuss no-muss poutine, this is the place our Quebecois friends swear by. And it did not disappoint. Frites Alors is a chain with locations along the hip streets of Montreal; this location on Rue Saint Laurent was convenient and close to other well-known Montreal eateries like Schwartz's Deli and a Juliette et Chocolat branch.
First, Frites Alors endeared itself to me by using a font from Tintin comics, and the perfect aroma of well-cooked and seasoned fries that enveloped us upon entering. The standard poutine is Le Vladimir (a nice pun on the name "Putin"); unfortunately there is a poutine named after George Bush with steak (please change the name, Frites!). We each had a Stewart's Cherry Soda and La Frites Alors Poutine, with peppers, onions, and mushrooms. The veloute and fries and cheese curds tasted great together. The cheese especially was so authentic. Don't order anything bigger than a small unless you're sharing.Listed in: Vacans en Francais
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Review from Chris B.
Montréal, QC
3/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had a large fry here with some sort of mayo based sauce. The order was up in just a moment and delivered promptly, so the service was A-Okay.
The fries on the other hand were decent but not great. Maybe I was left with the bottom of the bag or something but it seemed like I was just getting pieces of fries. Once I dug in to them they started to get a little mushy. The sauce lacked flavor and I was given just a tiny little paper cup full.
There's lots more better food options in the area so I can't really recommend this place. I was expecting Dutch style fries, but Frites Alors just doesn't quite deliver. -
Review from Cha Cha W.
8/10/2008 5 photos
Calories Food Item
1078 2 large servings of french fries
569 1 serving of cheese curd
123 1 cup of gravy
356 2 hamburger patties
60 1 serving of sautéed onions
720 Mayonnaise based dipping sauce (x4)
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2906 1 order of poutine w/steak and onions + dipping sauces
What 2906 calories could have gotten me:
- 5 Filet Mignons
- 1 slice of cheesecake w/ whipped cream at Cheesecake Factory
- 1 generous serving of Fettuccine Alfredo w/ extra Parmesan, a side of Filet Mignon and lobster tail in butter
- 4 sticks of pure blissful rich delicious butter on single slice of toast
- 50 pounds of salad with a bottle of ranch dressing (low fat)
Cons for eating:
- 1 pound of pure fat on my thighs
- Heavy water retention from salt overindulgence
- Nausea, heartburn, indigestion, constipation
- Clogged arteries, heart attack guaranteed
Pros for eating:
- Good value: superior calorie/$ ratio
- Pretty darn tasty
Garcon! One poutine w/ steak and onions with a side of sauces please! -
Review from Allison T.
8/7/2008
Although I couldn't actually eat anything at Frite Alors, coming here was quite an experience. I believe this was one of the last meals that Amanda Z. ate involving meat before making the grand lifestyle jump to vegetarianism.
I was in Montreal with three friends (two of whom are fellow yelpers from other cities). We felt like being touristy so naturally we spent a healthy chunk of time on the interwebs googling "best of montreal." Frites Alors ranked very high on the list for poutine. So after a late night dinner and some shopping to work up an appetite off we went.
I'll make a note here for veggies and vegans - Frite Alors does offer a veggie dog but I wouldn't recommend getting it. Everything is cooked on the same grill, and, as the server explained to us, it's all cooked in beef fat.
My three compatriots ordered a crazy variety of poutines. Rich looking - absolutely covered in meat and cheese varietals and derivatives. I did think that after this trip though everyone learned a valuable lesson about overeatting...I won't describe what happened, but I will say that poutine, especially true, Canadian poutine, is best enjoyed in moderation. -
Review from Simon B.
12/25/2009 1 photo
I've been going to Frites alors for about 5 years. Most of the time, I am quite happy with ordering a large fry for two, two beers, and a handful of different sauces/dips to try. Their sauces are excellent for most of them, and their fries are always fresh and crispy. I would go as far as saying that might be in the top3 in montreal for fries alone.
This review has more to do with the poutine. I tried the regular poutine, and the mexican poutine. On both poutines (on two separate occasions), the fries were fresh and well cooked but the cheese was average. I could tell they didn't get it fresh from a local supplier: it wasn't squeeky, it wasn't oily or salty. It was just your typical curd that was probably kept frozen for some time. Maybe I've just been unlucky, as others here on Yelp seem to suggest that they do have fresh curds.
The sauce of the regular poutine was average. Not bad, not good, but not memorable. It lacked something distinctive, to make it stand out. That's not to say that I didn't like it (I did), but it's nowhere close to some of the best traditional poutines in Montreal (e.g. Maam' Bolduc, Poutine Lafleur (Verdun), La Banquise). Still, if you're in the area it'll do.
The mexican poutine was interesting. It is actually just the same as a regular poutine (chicken gravy, fries, chesse), but with the addition of the "mexican" sauce that they use as a side for french fries orders: tomatoes, hot peppers and corriander. So you get this strange layered combination of sauces which, once mixed, kinda spices up the traditional sauce and makes it look like one of those italian poutines (red pasta sauce) but with a kick. It's something to try once, but I wouldn't try it again necessarily.
Overall, Frites Alors! is a great place to sit down, have a drink or two and chat while eating some crisp fries with great sauces. Their poutines are okay, and my experience with other foods has been the same (burgers). Don't expect more than that. -
Review from Dave P.
8/15/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I also followed Kenneth's revue and went for the poutine with steak and mushrooms. I gotta say, I really enjoyed it. Total props to Yelpers for once again leading me to another great eating experience! The curds were fresh and not overly salty and the fries were perfectly done and very, very crispy.
Additionally, super friendly staff, with loads of personality. So go to one of the many surrounding, overly priced restaurants if you want to be seen, but check this out if you really want to eat! -
Review from Sara S.
6/9/2011
Frites Alors is in limbo, somewhere between the comfort of fast food and good food, and they do it well. The fries are the star feature here, for sure, perfect, crispy and the sauces that go along with them are to die-for. My favorite, the provencal, is perfection and the alternative to my long-detested ketchup. There are a few vegetarian options, which I've tried, and all of them are good, but not great. The presentation tends to be sloppy, and if you have any dietary restrictions, it is important (dare I say crucial) to be EXTREMELY vocal about them to your waiter because I've sadly found they are often overlooked. The meat options seem to garner more positive reviews from friends, and the poutine is definitely up there as a Montreal favorite. The service, however, tends to be atrocious. Long waits, errors, and down right rude servers are something you can find at almost any Frites Alors location.
A good place for beer, fries and friends, but if you're looking for dinner, be prepared to wait. -
Review from Amanda D.
Ottawa, ON
12/9/2008
Frites Alors offers a delicious and overwhelming gorge fest in a bright cartoony setting. It's a fantastic place to stop while shopping on St. Laurent, but it may slow you down for shopping afterwards due to all the waddling. They have a tasty array of poutine, without getting too weird with the ingredients. However, the creativity is welcomed with their wide selection of burgers, including some vegetarian alternatives.
While you're filling your gullet with gravy, curds and fries, you may as well carbonize the concoction with one of their many beers.
Their prices are moderate and their service is good. -
Review from cat m.
2/8/2009
YES! as soon as i got to montreal, i needed to have poutine. in the bronx, we have disco fries at the diner, very similar...but no curds, just mozzarella (bronx...remember?)
so when i sat down, i ordered my delicious traditional poutine and a boreale beer, watched a canadiens game and butchered the french language....what a great night!
would've had more poutine there throughout the trip, but i thought i might die from a heart attack if i did....also it was pretty hard to walk between frites alors and the hotel on a sheet of ice. no wonder you guys love hockey...why no salting the pavement? us new yorkers are a privileged, entitled bunch who can't handle such things! -
Review from jen s.
6/19/2009
Out of all the poutine I tried in Montreal, this one was my favorite. We ordered the poutine that came with steak, mushrooms, and onions and it was sinfully delicious: crisp fried potatoes, savory gravy, squeaky fresh curds, and seared meat! I wish I ordered another poutine instead of the burger, which was actually kinda dry to me.
Too bad, I can't find decent fresh curd where I am in the states. -
Review from Kenneth L.
6/22/2010
We had this poutine with meat and mushrooms over it. I wanted more gravy though. It wasn't the salty mess you get at New York Fries, but I expected all the stuff on the fries to really add a little bit more flavor than what I tasted.
But I did eat their cheekily named Rudolph Burger. Montreal's brimming with meat gamier than what I usually find in other restaurants. The burgers are served on a nice foccacia bun with pickles, a nice leaf of lettuce, and a toothpick speared through the middle. Satisfying, and a fun, low-key atmosphere. -
Review from Daniel S.
Vancouver, BC
11/4/2010
First things first, this place is a fucking rip off, plain and simple. Almost twenty dollars with tip for a burger and a poutine to share with a friend; absolutely ridiculous. It's not even like the amount of food you get is substantial either. I could have eaten this whole meal by myself and I'm not a massive eater; just an accomplished one.
The poutine was a disappointment but alright. Not enough gravy to cover all the fries and the cheese curds were alright but not in enough abundance either. Their fries though are quite good and I do like the dips they have but I ordered a poutine, not fries and dip you bumbaclot...
The burger as well is a rip off and not fresh. They don't even try to hide the fact it's a frozen patty which to me is kind of lame...At least have some pride. It's a thoroughly decent burger though and they have good variety but to be honest I expect that if you eat here enough and try all the burgers, you'll experience the 'Subway Effect'; they all taste pretty much the same.
I'm sure there is a better burger in Montreal and I know there is a better poutine. I also know you can get both of these for a better price. It's still worth it though if you want to go for fries and dip but hold onto your wallets cause this place wants to bleed it. -
Review from PC W.
8/6/2008
Boulevard St. Laurent is my favorite strip for boutique shopping as well as trendy bars and restaurants. If you're here during the day and you need a break, Frites Alors makes a great stop for poutine or belgian fries and your choice of sauce. They have burgers and sandwiches if you're in need of something more substantial.
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Review from C M.
Montréal, QC
2/11/2010
Every trip to Montreal requires a trek to Frites Alors (or any poutinerie) in my books. Who knew there were so many different types of poutine? Not the adventurous kind, I usually get the classic poutine with gravy and cheesecurds. What's nice about this place is that the cheesecurds are actually fresh, and curds- unlike other places that just sprinkle pre-packaged shredded Kraft cheese. The portions are huge (I definitely recommend sharing) and the prices are reasonable. The place is laid-back and very casual with a French charm that keeps me coming back form more.
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Review from Al A.
3/16/2010
Nice dipping sauces. Great location. Fast service (mainly because French fries and dipping sauce take no time to assemble). Slightly over-priced for French fries.
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Review from Wally C.
9/8/2009
I didn't like the fries in the poutine. Overall, not a fan of the gravy, either...Dunno why, there was some seasoning in it that I wasn't crazy about. Good location, reasonable operating hours. Still, I would give this place another chance. It's a chain and there's a few of them around Montreal. Pick one and try it.
