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Resto La Banquise
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 am - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
195 reviews for Resto La Banquise
Review Highlights
"The poutine will make you fall in love with the city."
(in 173 reviews)
"what exactly are cheese curds."
(in 48 reviews)
"I've tried everything from the vegi to the t-rex."
(in 17 reviews)
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190 reviews in English
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Review from Bill E.
1/13/2012
This was a must stop on my trip to Montreal. I had heard of this restaurant from the travel shows on Food Network and from some friends that had traveled to Montreal.
When we went the restaurant was packed, but eventually after fifteen minutes or so we got a table and ordered. My friend ordered the T-REX and I had the poutine bacon. This was a great stop for us as we filled up on great poutine and then headed off to do more sightseeing.
A must stop for anyone in Montreal. -
Review from Mister O.
Montréal, QC
1/29/2012
Had wanted to try this place for quite a while, so when a rush trip to the Ulysse travel bookstore found me at the corner of Rachel and St-Denis at suppertime yesterday with all my chores done, I decided that supper was going to be poutine.
Showing up at 1730 hrs on a Saturday, I was thinking that Montrealers don't eat this early and I'd have no problem getting a seat. Well, I was wrong. There was already a short line inside the door, and the place was heaving- with children. Seems that parents of pre-schoolers *do* eat this early, and they bring their spawn in great number. Managed to be seated immediately, though, by dint of only needing a table for one. Got the second last seat in the house, as it turned out, in a dark corner. Water glass (already filled) and menu hit the table as I was seated, a nice touch.
Despite my being in a wretchedly difficult place to reach, the waitress was quick to worm her way to me and take my order. Asked for a regular-sized classic poutine, a Banquise burger with Dijon instead of the usual orange sauce, and a St-Ambroise. Did not have to wait long for it all to arrive; just long enough to notice the extremely repetitive dance-techno music being played just a little too loud over the already considerable din in the room. It was pounding out a deeply tribal message, and that message was "please chew quickly and get out, so we can sell some more of this stuff". Just a little too obvious a musical psy-op, for what's basically a hip diner. Dinged them a star while I waited for my oats.
The food and beer all arrived at once, exactly as ordered. Poutine portion was definitely generous; my plate was heaped, and almost overflowing. Burger was a proper size for the price, and well-garnished. Both tasted fine, while neither being spectacular. Both, unfortunately, were only warm, and not hot. Given how quickly they arrived, this was disappointing. Fries fresh from the fryer and sauce kept on a proper simmer, especially, should have been screaming hot, at least at the very core of the mound. But the wait at the kitchen push-through and the trip to my table somehow managed to suck the bulk of the heat out of my supper. My cheese curds were barely melted. Another star lost, right there.
Restrooms (I tried two) both had trash on the floor, and both had the slipperiest, soapiest floors I've ever put boots on. The cracks in one bowl's rim must be from someone's teeth.
With all that said, this place isn't without definite merit. Both the placière and my waitress were alert, memorably courteous and pleasant in the middle of an obvious rush, and good at their jobs. And the food is taken seriously, ingredient-wise. It tasted fine, after all. The people-watching was excellent, too, at least while I was there; it seemed like I was surrounded by groups of good-looking twenty- and thirty-something brunettes, all animatedly catching up on old times and planning new adventures while gleefully pounding pure cholesterol into their smiling faces. The table of sleekly black-haired girls next to me was speaking entirely in an oddly-tinted Spanish. My idle moments between mouthfuls weren't exactly devoid of wallpaper.
But the not-hot burger and poutine, the roomful of rather loud children, and the 1980s behavioral science music selection... Yes, I'd eat here again, but not without a deliberate motive.
Oh... When I left, the line was out the door. Be forewarned.
Anyhow. Banquise: Been there, done that. -
Review from Sarah L.
1/25/2012
Oh my god- heart attack on a plate 24 hours a day! So a friend told me how I must try poutine when I went to Montreal and I thought it sounded a little crazy at first, but I was up for trying something new as long as it wasn't frog legs or pâté!
We ordered two plates and shared- Poutine Duleton and Poutine Classique. Poutine combines three of my favorite things-potatoes, cheese, and gravy! We liked the Poutine Duleton a little better, but both of them were awesome. Not exactly a healthy meal, but a delicious over-indulgence. I had never had cheese curds. Yum! If you are in Montreal and have never had Poutine, this is a must try. There are also vegetarian options so it is friendly for all.
It was busy as other reviewers say. We were there at lunchtime on a weekend so we had to wait a while for a table, but I don't remember how long. -
Review from Max L.
1/22/2012
With so many rave reviews, you would think this place would be great outside of the 11pm-4am hammered crowd timeframe, but not so much.
Although getting a seat is much easier, this place is not really recommended for just a regular dinner. Maybe it's because I'm not the biggest "squeaky curds" fan, but no one at the table seemed to be blown away by the various assemblies of fries, gravy and cheese.
I have had other poutines that would knock your socks off drunk, sober, or anytime of the day, but this would not be worth it unless you're drunk enough to wait forever in a line to inhale something that will make your hangover a little less painful. -
Review from Daniel T.
1/10/2012 1 photo
I can see how La Banquise would be touristy. It never closes, serves what you want after you stumble out of a bar, and it has been televised on certain travel shows in the US. But after going several times at 3am, I'm not so sure if it is. Every time I was in line, I had gotten into conversations with native Montrealers, even sat and ate with, most of whom were surprised to learn that three dudes from Philly made it to this poutine eatery. I did not meet anyone that wasn't from Montreal while in queue. It's also kinda out of the way and even a nice local stripper recommended that I should go here. I forgot her name, but she stripped with reading glasses on so I'd assume she was probably wise.
Fries, cheese curds, gravy, and a myriad of meat combinations to put you on your ass for the night. I recommend the T-Rex, topped with hot dogs, bacon, pepperoni and ground beef. I'd also recommend visiting St. Luc's hospital as well. -
Review from Gregory S.
Montréal, QC
1/20/2012
Poutine is another famous Montreal dish, especially after a heavy night of drinking. La Banquise is open 24 hours and a perfect way to end a night with friends in the Plateau. There is usually a ton of people waiting at any given time, but especially later in the night.
There are two lines, one for take out and one for sitting in the restaurant. I usually just get in the to go line. The wait can be awhile even after you order since the restaurant is so busy. They have a ton of variations on the poutine and most of the ones I have had are good. The best I had was one with all the different meats on it, forget the name.
But if you find yourself partying in the Plateau stop by La Banquise for your post boozing meal! -
Review from Johnson C.
Vancouver, BC
1/21/2012 3 photos
24 hr poutinery. I'm not qualified to say if this is 'the best' poutine in Montreal - but I liked my T-Rex poutine - burger, pepperoni, bacon and hot dog. Seriously, hot dogs are underrated as a condiment. I like this place.
Listed in: Un garçon de Vancouver à…
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Review from Zach E.
Montréal, QC
12/16/2011
Ok what could I say more that this is by far, the best poutine in Montreal! They have so many different options on the menu that it's hard to pick the one you like. My favourite one is the the Elvis.
The only problem is that it's hard to find parking around the restaurant and that you sometimes have to wait.... but nevertheless, it's definitely worth it. -
Review from Ra C.
12/6/2011
My husband and I went to Montreal to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary. We are lovers of food and really wanted to go somewhere that had a distinct food culture. We found a food mecca in Montreal. One of the items on our list of must-eats was poutine, a native dish to Quebec. To us, it just sounded like something we needed to get our hands on!
We tried poutine for the first time at this little diner for a late dinner. We were less than impressed. After doing our due diligence and scouring the web, we came across La Banquise. So on a gorgeous day, we took the metro out to a quaint little neighborhood and walked a few blocks to La Banquise. This was definitely your typical dive, metal tables, benches and random art work and mismatched pieces as décor. The place was packed on a late afternoon, but we were seated relatively quickly. I can see how this place is such a draw, especially for a late night crowd, and with the bonus of it being open 24 hours.
We ordered a large poutine to share, and had it topped with hot dog, bacon and mushrooms. Yes, you can add additional toppings to your poutine. What came out was a gigantic plate filled to the brim and loaded with fries, gravy, hot dog slices, bacon, mushrooms and cheese curds! It may not look like the most appetizing plate, but it was divine! The cheese curds were melting and provided an even more decadent touch to the dish. The fries soaked up the gravy and the bacon and hot dogs gave each bite the needed amount of sodium; it was very savory. It was real treat, and worth my cholesterol shooting up a few points! -
Review from Julia B.
11/30/2011
YUM. Oh man, this was delicious! I rather regret now that I did not have the poutine, but seeing as I was still slightly scared of poutine (we'd only been in Montreal for a few days), I had one of the regular breakfasts. Bonus - they had English menus! For the French-speaking impaired such as myself, this was awesome.
The breakfast was huge. Unbelievable for the price! In DC, a breakfast that size would have been wayyyyyyyyy more expensive. The eggs, ham, bacon, and beans were all excellent.
I'm a bit sad I didn't get to try their pancakes or waffles. If I'm ever in Montreal again, I know where I'm heading first! -
Review from Maheen M.
11/28/2011 2 photos
La Banquise is regarded as having one of the best poutine's in Montreal. My SO and I made the pilgrimage this past weekend on a weekend getaway to Montreal. At 3pm on a Saturday, this place was packed! It is nice to know that they are open 24 hours for future Montreal trips.
I ordered the smoked meat poutine regular which could have been shared by 2 people. It was huge but delicious! The cheese was fresh and chewy, good signs that it is in fact Quebec cheese curds! My SO ordered the vegetarian poutine and he really enjoyed it.
Service was quick and prices were reasonable. I will definitely be back when I am in Montreal again.Listed in: Montreal
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Review from Sabahat N.
Calgary, AB
11/30/2011
If you've ever lived in Montreal for a reasonable amount of time, you have been to La Banquise. This establishment is the king of Montreal poutine culture, the emperor of the poutine empire, the gladiator that leaves everyone else in the dust!
Why, you ask.. Why should such grandiose compliments be bestowed upon this institution? Well:
- Poutine has never seen so much variety! Mushrooms, peas, pepperoni, guacamole, you name it, they've got it as an option to put on their poutine. They have the largest and most delicious menu ever, that would get any poutine-lover riled up!
- It is open 24 hours!! YES, that means after those great nights out with friends, you can come and feed yourself some poutine!
- Their portions are so big they are meant to be shared! Eat yourself silly, guys!! You probably need it after all the partying you were doing prior to stumbling in here.
- They serve beer! Beer with poutine!! Thank god someone understands us!
La Banquise should not be missed at any costs, its a CLASSIC. If you havent been to La Banquise, please hang your head in shame! And then make plans to go there THIS WEEKEND!
30/30!! YA!!!! -
Review from Mabel W.
11/1/2011
After a day long bike ride, my friend and I figured we should treat ourselves to some poutine.
There were so many choices, I really couldn't choose..they all looked VERY good. I finally decided on the hamburger poutine(hefty fries, cheese curds, ground beef, gravy, and caramelized onions) and my friend had the classique which is fries, gravy and cheese curds.
OMG! This was the best artery clogging food ever. They give a huge portion that can feed two but I finished it all. La banquise has another fan.
Montreal, je t'aime. -
Review from Twenties H.
Toronto, ON
11/4/2011
Let me start off by saying that as a Quebec child (and therefore, a connoisseur of poutine), La Banquise is by far the most delicious Montreal poutine place I've ever eaten at, and if eating and thinking about eating poutine there all day long is wrong, then I don't want to be right.
This place is open real late, so if you're looking for a place to clog up your arteries after bars close, then this is the perfect place to go.They only take cash, but no worries, there's an ATM Machine if you don't have any. If you don't have debit though, well, you're pretty screwed. The service is fast, the place is big and clean, and I've never met an unfriendly waitress there. My favorite is the Poutine Frank, which is a poutine with Merguez sausages, but the Poutine Dan Dan (pepperoni, onions, bacon) and the Poutine T-Rex (bacon, pepperoni, ground beef, sausages) are also awesome.
If you're visiting Montreal, make sure you check this place out; and if you live there and haven't experienced this place yet- well then, maybe you ought to consider not calling yourself a Montrealer anymore. -
Review from CalamityJane T.
Toronto, ON
12/28/2011
In all my years living in and visiting Montreal, I'd never once been to this place until very recently when I was on a late-night run to pick up five dozen bagels at Fairmount to dole out to friends back in Toronto. Kitchens were already closed in most places so it seemed to be one of very few places to eat (it's open 24 hours, how convenient--AND dangerous).
It's your typical MTL greasy-spoon specializing in poutine, which is something the city does very well. There are about a million poutines to choose from, along with staples like burgers, all-day breakfast, etc. I didn't want to overdo the grease factor as it was quite late and I had my food itinterary set for the next day (what can I say? I'm nerdy like that) for which I wanted to ensure I had room in my stomach, but we ended up each getting a burger (~$5) and the two of us shared a large poutine (~$10). The burgers were standard diner fare--no going wrong there--with the usual toppings and condiments available.
For the poutine, I chose the Savoyarde which is a new item that does not appear on their regular menu, and anyway, the original poutine can be had anywhere so I thought we ought to try something new. The very thought of the Savoyarde brought back memories of a recent trip which included stops in France, so it was a must for me. It turned out to be an original poutine topped with their version of Savoyarde toppings which include things like bacon (instead of lardons), sour cream (instead of the cheese and cream combo), and some mushrooms (not a lot). It was good enough, and definitely hit the spot on that cold night.
The food (at least from among what we had) would normally elicit about 4* tops but the service and atmosphere (young and hip; definitely a post-bar kinda place) take it one star further. This place, with its menu and clientele, really capture the Montreal vibe. La Banquise is in a French part of town but the friendly servers were able to communicate in English just as well (useful for the many tourists I noticed), and they did so very happily, unlike in some establishments. *ahem* Food is cheap, servings massive, and our order arrived pretty quickly considering the place was PACKED. We got the last table upon arrival but when we left about 45 mins later, there was a lineup of at least 25 ppl outside! -
Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
10/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
24 Poutine. It had to be done.
I had original poutine, I think thats why I am not blown away. My DCs all had fancier poutines, including one doused in avocado and fresh chopped tomato. Amazing.
My classic was ok, but not really salty enough. Or cheesy. But it was good. We went on a Sunday for lunch to meet some friends who already had a table. Thank goodness, the lineup was massive.
It was packed. Service was extremely unremarkable. We were squished into a corner. I expected more. It was cheap however.
I'd go again, but get something more fun.Listed in: Montreal
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Review from jocelyn l.
10/31/2011
Best poutine in Montreal, opened 24 hours and reasonable prices
We were looking for an authentic, non-fancy place for poutine in Montreal and this was awesome! We ordered the regular Poutine BOM (Bacon, Onions, Mersquez Sausages) with Black Pepper sauce, which was perfect for 3 people to share (we had other side dishes too but just could not stomach a whole poutine by ourselves). I'm not sure how other people have 1 poutine to themselves...it's way too salty, rich and 1 dimensional to finish one individually. *shudder*
The black pepper sauce was the way to go; not too peppery...just right. The fries were crunchy and crispy- perfect fries.
We were there at Noon on Sunday and it was pretty much empty. We left around 1p and still...no craziness.
Not sure when ppl go to brunch in Montreal...but in SF, it'd have been an hour ++ long wait at that time.
Lucky us -
Review from Jay B.
12/3/2011
Best selection of poutine in Montreal. And the best! A small is great for one person unless you are super hungry then go for the large. A hip, funky place with a great wait staff. Wonderful at 2am or any time.
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Review from Mike S.
Montréal, QC
12/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sloppy poutine is best served late, really late, like 3am. Maybe it's because you're too drunk to really gauge the food, maybe it's because you suddenly don't give a hoot about your diet, or maybe it's the electric vibe you get by being surrounded by a room full of poutine craving lunatics. I say it's all 3!!! Long live La Banquise.
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Review from Sara R.
9/28/2011
Had to have poutine if in Canada. My plans got a little messy, so I ended making the trip down to this area after a hockey game at Bell Centre - a day before leaving town.
Great type of food to grab after catching a game in the city and country where hockey is equivalent to oxygen. From Bell Centre, it's about a 10 minute metro to the Mont Royal station, and then a 15 minute or so walk down St. Denis and through Rue Rachel. There are a few pubs and bars lining St. Denis, and so it's not so vacant or unsafe. Rue Rachel itself is a bit sparse and has a few alleyways weaved in, but I saw many girls riding their bikes or taking a jog - so I figure, the natives know it's safe enough to do so. Just try to avoid walking down the side streets. Stick to St. Denis - because google maps preferred I take a side street. Google maps does not know that a side-street at 11pm is not ideal for a girl who is a wimp.
Ok, back to the poutine! I got in, and they seated me right away, although it was quite busy throughout the restaurant. I believe they advertise it as cash only, but the table next to mine paid by credit or debit card. Either way, have cash. The menu is extensive with toppings you can get, and I went with the one where it's like the original but with ground beef and grilled onions added (hey, I wanted some added protein). When they take your order, you also pay at the table. Then they will place your order. I think mine was around $8? For the small, and although I'm a big eater and was hungry at the time, I was barely able to put a dent into that monstrosity.
They're pretty quick to bring the food. The fries are dark and crispy, and medium-thickness, and probably not my favorite type of french fry. The gravy was not anything special.. and was sort of goopy in a jelly-like way. The cheese curds were very good, but I'm a newbie with cheese curds. They had a generous portion of large and small chunks. The ground beef was very tasty and not salty at all. I picked the cheese curds and the ground beef/onions, and ate some of the fries with ketchup because the gravy was not too flavorful or appealing.
Nice service.. nothing wow and nothing horrible. I would probably choose a different place to try poutine next time, if only to compare. It's a must try though, wherever you decide to get it! -
Review from Colleen M.
10/15/2011
The poutine at La Banquise made our whole trip to Montreal worth it.
Down to the last bite, the frites maintained a satisfying crunch despite being coated with an unparalleled blend of gravy and cheese curds. (Yes, we're boring, we only tried the original style instead of one of the dozens of other varieties. We're not complaining.)
Tip: You can't order booze on the patio. -
Review from annie t.
9/29/2011
Had our poutine initiation here. Looked like your typical eatery in the US. Didn't like how we could see many food debris on the floor. Anywhoo....
We ordered the original. Just as expected it was a big slob of fries with curds of cheese
so much excitement..so much disappointment.
Fries were too dark for my liking, soft, not crispy. The cheese was not a good compliment
Maybe I'm just being a food snob. I like the concept of the dish, but would rather the elements be of better quality. For this place, we should added a meat to the dish to make it acceptable. -
Review from Brian T.
9/6/2011
I really don't get it. I absolutely love poutine, and given this place's reputation, I was expecting to find the best poutine of my life. But, no.
I was sorely disappointed. Or maybe all the poutine I've ever had (much of it in Canada) was wrong, and I don't actually like the real thing. But this was just inferior in many ways.
Let's deconstruct the "Classique." The fries, the foundation for any plate of poutine, were HORRIBLE: soggy and tasting of undercooked potato. The gravy: just awful, lacking any beefy taste at all. The cheese curds: the only redeeming ingredient, with a nice bouncy texture, but not as "cheesy" as I would have liked.
The Italienne, with a tomato-meat sauce instead of gravy, is better, although the fries were still soggy.
Overall, I think Banquise is one of "those:" a place whose reputation has eclipsed its own product. There are much better examples of poutine out there.
Or maybe, I came at an "off" moment. But a place with this reputation shouldn't really have moments as "off" as this. -
Review from Huntting B.
11/29/2011
very good!
the Poutine (pepperoni, bacon and onion) was delish! the cheese was melted wonderfully. the gravy wasnt overly heavy. the fries were really really good too! music was a bit loud but no big deal! the onion was well sauted too! loved it :)
This is supposedly one of those "must do" places in Montreal, and I can see why. If I were sending a friend out for food in Montreal, especially on that side of town, I'd send them here! -
Review from Deanna L.
10/25/2011
Finally got to go! I don't do long lines so I didn't get to go last time I was out here but this time we waited. I love poutine. Especially with bacon. And that's what we got. I think we got the bacon, hot dog and onion one. We also got a salad because you really should have something green when eating this stuff, and the one with avocado doesn't count.
The cheese was a bit squeaky but other than that I will definitely be back to try all the other variations. After all, isn't that why this place is so popular? -
Review from Thomas Z.
8/28/2011
Poutine BOH. Crack. Absolutely the best drunk food I've ever had; fries, spicy Arab Sausage, caramelized onions, cheese curds, gravy and BACON. YES BACON.
Montreals an amazing city to get wasted in. There is no drinking age and the cops are more of a friendly professional party patrol than a gang of armed thugs like in the states. Just try to speak French and people will help you. You will not understand Jouale. Do not try. Just go with the flow, hein? -
Review from eric h.
11/14/2011 1 photo
Had the Poutine Classique while on tour here last year, after being told by almost every Montreal resident to go here for the best poutine. It was very good and the Large portion is more than enough for one person, I'd say it's even enough for 2 people.
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Review from Anabel L.
Toronto, ON
8/31/2011
My BFF loves pootin. Oh yes he does. Fancy or dirty, he'll gobble it up. So I thought it best I share this thing I heard. See, there's this rumour, and like all great rumours it stuck. Whether it be true or not is up to the individual. Seeing as this is my blog, ergo I am the individual, I am here to call the rumour false.
They say La Banquise is one of the best, if not best places for poutine. That statement is false.
La Banquise serves poutine 24 hours a day. That statement is true.
This diner is a favourite for many, likely because of that, and not because they serve the best. Their poutine is okay. There are many, many, many choices, and that in and of itself is great. You can have poutine with merguez sausage, with smoked meat, with turkey and peas, etc. Basically, you can get it with a whole lot of something or with nothing at all. Your choice.
After a long day of shopping I wanted a snack so I got myself the Elvis: beef, mushrooms and green peppers.
I ate it all, but don't I always. It was good but Frite Alors is still my favourite. Nobody messes with me and my frites. -
Review from M R.
8/16/2011
Do yourself a favor and get one of the crazier poutines. I got the classic poutine, thinking that a classic poutine had meat on it. I was wrong.
And do yourself a favor -- do not order the large poutine. No one needs that much food.
This was a good place. I enjoyed my poutine, the service was good, and the price was totally reasonable. -
Review from Kathy H.
Mississauga, ON
8/10/2011
I looove this place, and it's not because it's "the best poutine in Quebec" as their slogan claims:
I love that
1) I have taken 3 people here within two weeks (on 3 different occasions), and they love it.
2) I have been here at 3am with a friend, and he loved it. The atmosphere was awesome!
3) I have tried half of the poutine dishes on their menu and cannot find my favourite!
4) they made corn & poutine so yummy!
5) I hate fat foods/grease/high calories/unhealthy foods, yet I don't feel guilty eating here :) it's toooo gooodddd
So crowded, washroom is absolutely gross, occasional terrible service..... 5 stars!
Yes, my favourite poutine restaurant so far -
Review from Kiera S.
Montréal, QC
8/8/2011
I think la Banquise is a victim of its own popularity.
Yes, there is an incredible selection. Yes, the poutine is delicious. Yes, it is great that it is open 24hrs.
But all this being said, unless you have a desire to wait in long, long, longggg lineup of rabid tourists, then go somewhere else.
I'm also not convinced this is the BEST poutine in Montreal. The most popular, certainly. The most variety, of course. But the all-around best? I'm not so sure. Personally, I have little desire to wait in the requisite lineups to get into this place. -
Review from Chase S. K.
10/27/2011
I'm unfamiliar with the poutine game in Montreal, but coming here, I thoroughly enjoyed my "Elvis" dish (standard poutine with the addition of beef, mushrooms and green peppers). Fries/chips could have been cooked a little more thoroughly and the gravy seemed a bit watery, but it was overall satisfying. Don't dig the hipster vibe of the place, but the service was friendly enough and a nice hot plate of poutine makes those miserably cold days in Quebec all the more bearable.
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Review from Amy G.
8/4/2011
"Wait... you've never had poutine? But you live closer to Montreal than I do!"
"It's that ice cream thing, right?"
"Just... just stop."
And then we stumbled over to La Banquise, a little Montreal-style diner near a big, beautiful park.
At this establishment, poutine is god. Don't let yourself be tempted by other menu items-- definitely not worth it-- and go for the Quebequois staple of crisp, freshly-cut fries, brown gravy, and melted cheese curds. La Banquise does it right with about twenty varieties and a solid base to go on. The fries are crisp enough to stand up against the herbacious turkey (or chicken?) gravy and chewy, gooey mild curds. Add on a melange (is that correct French?) of excellent toppings ranging from sour cream to corn dogs. Our suggestion? Try the Poutine Matty with green peppers, onions cooked 'til soft and translucent, sauteed mushrooms, and crisp bits of bacon.
This gluttonous eastern Canadian specialty comes in two sizes-- large and larger. Canadian and American. Petit and grande. Take it as you will.
Service is friendly and responsive to special requests but doesn't follow up with things like refills on water. The host stand often ends up unattended and there always seems to be a wait... even at two in the afternoon. This said, for variety, quality, and a very, very solid introduction to this Montreal delicacy, La Banquise is where it's at.
And, for god sakes, do not order the omelets. Have your healthy breakfast moment at another time and place. -
Review from Andrew C.
8/2/2011 1 photo
Do yourself a favor and make La Banquise a "must-stop" destination during your trip to Montreal. Located on the plateau, just outside of Parc la Fontaine, Resto La Banquise is *the* place in Montreal to go for poutine. The wait can be somewhat long in the evening, especially on weekends, but it's worth the wait.
I got the Smoked Meat Poutine and a Belle Gueule Pilsner. If you haven't experienced it yet, the smoked meat in Montreal rivals the pastrami in NYC. Put it on top of some high quality poutine and you've got two of the best foods Montreal has to offer.
When you're done here, signup for a bike tour with Cycle Tours (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...) to burn off the calories... -
Review from Bailey Z.
10/2/2011 2 photos
Poutine is to Montreal as carne asada fries is to San Diego. You can't go wrong with the combination of fries, cheese curds, and gravy. I've been to Montreal three times without trying this local staple. I made it a priority on the fourth and most recent trip, but it was not without difficulty. The adventure began at Rôtisserie Chalet Bar-B-Q, which we were told had both amazing chicken and poutine. After we sat down, the waitress informed us that they didn't serve poutine and never did. But, she did recommend a diner two doors down that did serve it. Befuddled and a bit embarrassed, we walked over next door. The diner was mostly empty and I didn't have a good feeling about the food there. Fortunately, they carried free wi-fi, which I used to find the most popular place for poutine in Montreal, Resto La Banquise. We promptly made a quick escape when the owner just so happened to take a bathroom break. Two consecutive walk outs were uncomfortable, but that was not going to stand in our way of trying authentic Montreal poutine.
Four miles later, we found ourselves in Resto La Banquise, a 24 hour diner that is dedicated to serving a variety of poutine toppings in addition to breakfast and sandwiches. When we stepped in, I knew we were in the right place. Left and right, there were plates of poutine on every table. Out of the 28 varieties of poutine, we picked 3 to try: the Rachel, T-Rex, and the Classique. It was prepared very quickly and our plates arrived in a few minutes. My favorite was the Classique because you can really taste each individual component: the sweetness of the fries (Canadian fries are sweet for some reason), the savory gravy, and the mild flavor of the cheese curds. The Rachel had green peppers, mushrooms, and onions, which was flavorful, but overwhelmed the cheese and gravy. The T-Rex is just a mess of meat, which included ground beef, pepperoni, bacon and hot dog sausage. It was salty and my least favorite of the three.
I can see why this local fast food dish is so popular. After a day (or night) out in the city, a big plate of poutine is sure to cure any craving. Our love of fatty comfort foods is sure to add a few notches onto our belts, but in this case, I will gladly go up a size to indulge my stomach. -
Review from Steve S.
5/31/2011
So as everyone knows, we all love Saus, right?
This place is Saus on steroids. I went here with 3 other people who did not speak any french. It look me several minutes to read through the 30 plus different options of poutine that they offered here. I knew we were in the right spot when there was a line of 12 or so people in front of us. Somehow, the Gods were smiling on us because we got a great booth at the window.
As we mange'd on 3 amigos poutine (fries, cheese curds, gravy, 3 different types of sausage); Mexican poutine (fries, cheese curds, gravy, guac, and sour cream); and the tasty original, I wondered how life could get any better. Then out came our server with our beers. These portions were huge, In hindsight, we should have ordered the Canadian size order instead of the American size.
As we continued to eat, the line out the door got longer and longer. By 2p when we left, the line was easily 40 deep and the restaurant could probably seat 60 at a time. If you like Saus, you will love Resto La Banquise.
BTW, CASH ONLYListed in: Montreal hot spots
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Review from Gabriel O.
Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC
8/11/2011
I've never seen so many versions of poutine! If you thought poutine is just fries, gravy and cheese, think again! Whether it's meat (or multiple meats), vegetables or other sauces that you want on it, it can be done at La Banquise.
So many choices, once you can get in of course. I've been a few times, and I've waited about 30 minutes each time to get a seat. Even the time I went in at around 1am.
For delicious poutine (and I use the term lightly cause there are so many different types), stop by the Banquise, but make sure you have some time. -
Review from John A.
6/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
La Banquise has an extensive selection of poutine. There are other things on the menu of course, but you really go here for the poutine.
After a night of drinking, this is where Montreal'ers go to get their eat on. All their poutines are traditional poutines with added ingredients. The last time I went was with a group of friends, where I had the smoked meat poutine (traditional with smoked meat), my wife had the Elvis (traditional with beef, green peppers, mushrooms), and my friends had the traditional and the Dan Dan (traditional with pepperoni, bacon and onions).
They make a great poutine here! There are two sizes, and the regular is a meal in itself. The gravy is tasty, you get a good amount of cheese curds and the fries are better than most. They typically like a flimsy, moist french fried potato in Quebec, similar to a five guys style...Personally I prefere a crispier fry, especially when adding gravy. La Banquise makes them pretty good, comparatively speaking to other restaurants in Montreal. -
Review from S K.
8/23/2011
I was a girl on a mission to try the best poutine in the city. Our friend who was born and raised in the city, took us to La Banquise and I'm so greatful that she did.
This place is THE poutine place, with 25 different varieties of poutine to try from, there's something for everyone. We ordered the classic poutine with gravy and cheese curds. It was unbelievable!!!! I FINALLY totally understand why everyone raves about poutine, it's the perfect comfort food! We tried Poutine about a month ago in Toronto, and it was nothing like this!
They offer 2 sizes, regular and large. We split it 4 ways at 1am, but next time I'm there (and I hope I'll be there soon), I'll be ordering a whole plate for myself.
xoxo, Poutine lover for life! -
Review from Lawrence N.
7/9/2011
La Banquise is Poutine heaven. There must have been literally near 100 different kinds. This was my first time trying poutine so I opted for the classic, nothing but straight up fries, gravy and cheese curd. Sounds like a heartattack waiting to happen, but it's worth the risk. Next time I'm trying the classic with bacon, can't wait.
La Banquise was packed when we arrived around midnight, and this was on a rainy day too. Line was out the door but locals and visitors waited patiently for tables to probably what is the best poutine place in Montreal.
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