Poutine

What do crispy French fries look like to you? If you ask Canadians, they would likely describe crispy French fries topped with rich gravy and cheese curds, a dish called Poutine. This iconic Canadian snack is truly one of a kind.

The Origin of Poutine: Debates and Its Quebecois Beginnings

However, despite Poutine being a renowned Canadian dish, its true origin remains a subject of ongoing debate, as no single inventor can be definitively identified. What historians can clearly state is that Poutine was invented by the Quebecers.

The most widely accepted evidence points to the late 1950s. It is said that Fernand Lachance, owner of Café Ideal in Warwick, Quebec, served French fries to Eddy Lainesse, a regular customer. Originally, this dish was just regular French fries as we know them. But this time, Eddy saw cheese curds displayed on the counter and asked Lachance to sprinkle them over his crispy fries.

Initially, Lachance hesitated, but seeing his regular customer insist on having fries topped with cheese, he decided to grab a paper bag, scoop in some fries, and sprinkle fresh cheese curds into the bag. After trying it, Eddy was instantly hooked by the deliciousness. He later spread the word, and eventually, other customers began asking for the French fries with cheese dish. Seeing this, Lachance decided to add it to his menu, but switched from serving it in a bag to serving it on a plate, believing that the cheese would be messy and difficult to eat in a bag.

But one day, he encountered a problem: customers often complained that the dish cooled down too quickly, making it less enjoyable. Lachance then tried pouring gravy over it to retain the heat. Once poured, the rich flavor of the gravy surprisingly enhanced the taste of the cheese-topped fries even more. Finally, he discovered a new dish and named it Poutine, a Quebecois slang word meaning "mess."

Popularity and Canadian Identity: A Cultural Dispute

Over time, Poutine's popularity expanded, becoming popular in Quebec City by 1969 and Montreal by 1983. Small roadside eateries began to create and sell their own versions of this dish. Eventually, Poutine's reputation crossed borders into wider Canada, a land said to have a significant Quebecois population.

The popularity of this dish spread across Canada, becoming a part of Canadian culinary culture. People visiting Canada are often recommended to try this dish. As a result, Poutine became universally associated with Canadian-style French fries, even though it was originally invented by Quebecers.

Many might wonder why, even though Quebec is a province of Canada, there's still a debate about its origin. The reason lies in historical political tensions, where Quebec once sought sovereignty due to its past as a French colony established for fur trading. Thus, the majority of Quebec's population lives with French culture, and therefore, they were hesitant to fully accept Poutine as a purely Canadian dish.

However, despite this long-standing debate, Quebec ultimately remains a part of Canada. Therefore, it's not incorrect to refer to Poutine as a Canadian-style French fry dish.

Poutine on the Global Stage: A Continuously Growing Canadian Dish

In recent years, Poutine has gained international recognition and is increasingly sought after worldwide. Food trucks, fast-food restaurants, and even high-end establishments have added this dish to their menus. Today, Poutine continues to bring fame to Canada, despite the many debates surrounding its origins.