Poutine—a greasy bechamel of fries slathered in gravy and cheese curds—is about as easy for an American to dismiss as curling or ice hockey. It’s just the type of handiwork we’d expect of the country that took our ham and called it their bacon.
Check out this video to learn what Poutine is:
Except that they were right: Canadian bacon does sound way cooler than ham; hockey is like a bloodier, faster soccer; and poutine? Well, it sort of tastes like Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July decided to throw a joint party in your mouth. Which is convenient, because poutine goes really well with beer.
Turns out there are a smattering of places in and around New York that offer this unofficial national dish of our neighbor to the north. We love these two delicious spots to whet your poutine appetite.
Brindle Room
277 E 10th St. | Manhattan |212.529.9702 |
Come for dinner and order the deluxe Duck Confit Poutine, which is served in duck gravy with plenty of cheddar cheese curds on top. Brindle Room even suggests a wine pairing: Vino Bianco’s “I Tigli.”
Find them on Facebook.
Subways: L to 1st Ave.
Mile End
97A Hoyt St. | Brooklyn | 718.852.7510 | mileendbrooklyn.com
The Boerum Hill space is tiny (435 square feet, including the bathroom) and there’s an emphasis on fresh ingredients. Native Montrealers Noah and Rae import bagels from Québec and serve poutine ($8) topped with hand-cured smoked meats ($12) like it’s done back home. The dry-rubbed brisket spends 10 days in Noah’s fridge before it’s smoked for 10 hours over oak wood, and steamed to swollen perfection. It’s served on a bed of frites along with cheddar curds brought in from Maine-based Silvery Moon Creamery.
The curds have the same subtle and salty flavor as Indian paneer, add a texture that is lighter and chewier than melted cheese, and are the key ingredients that separate this dish from American disco fries or cheese fries. Combined with a hearty mushroom gravy, the elements of this “maudite” mixture complement each other surprisingly well. Rather than the soggy mush one might expect, the crunch of the fries, the delicate mouth-feel of the curds, and the marbled juiciness of the meat all pull together for a dish with variety in every bite. The ones sprinkled with a few fallen peppercorns from the brisket add whole new pockets of flavor.
Subways: A,C,G and 2,3 to Hoyt St.
Jacob’s Pickles
Jacob’s Pickles is a popular American restaurant in New York City, known for its comfort food, craft beers, and homemade pickles. Located on the Upper West Side, Jacob’s Pickles has been serving its loyal customers since 2011, offering a cozy and inviting atmosphere, as well as a sense of community.
These guys make their Poutine with crispy fries, melted cheddar cheese, and rich mushroom gravy, adding a touch of flavor and texture to the classic recipe.
If you are looking for a place to enjoy a delicious meal, a refreshing drink, and a friendly service, Jacob’s Pickles is the place to go. Whether you are a fan of Poutine or not, you will find something to suit your taste buds on their extensive menu, which also features biscuits, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and more. Jacob’s Pickles is not just a restaurant; it is a destination.
Check them out on Instagram.
To conclude…
Poutine is more than just a dish; it is a cultural symbol of Canada, a country that has given us many reasons to appreciate its contributions to the world. From sports to food, Canada has shown us that there is beauty and value in diversity, creativity, and quality. Poutine is a perfect example of how a simple combination of ingredients can create a complex and satisfying experience. If you are in New York and want to taste this Canadian delicacy, you have several options to choose from, each with its own unique twist. Whether you prefer duck, brisket, or pickles, you will find a poutine that will make you say “eh”.
Photo by Jon Campbell.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram