Montreal's MOST FAMOUS POUTINE SPOT! La Banquise Review
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- Опубликовано: 19 сен 2023
- Among all the great eats in Montreal, Canada, the most famous for non-Canadians is Poutine. Poutine is arguably the most famous food in Quebec, if not the most famous food in Canada. Hand-cut fries, gravy, and cheese curds. What's not to like? Naturally, with Poutine being as famous as it is, it would make sense that the most famous poutine spot in Montreal, La Banquise, is frequently touted as one of the best restaurants in Montreal.
La Banquise is one of the top tourist destinations in Montreal, Quebec, but because of that many people view it as a tourist trap. As an ignorant American though, I may not be the best judge of how good La Banquise is compared to most neighborhood and hole in the wall Poutine spots though! What we will do though is try a very highly rated Poutine shop in the USA, specifically in the greater New York City area, and compare it to one of the most famous poutine shops in Canada. This way we can see how an authentic poutine compares to an imitation poutine abroad!
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Restaurants Deets:
La Banquise
994 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2J 2J3, Canada
WÜRSTBAR
516 Jersey Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Just looking at his subscribers. It was not that long ago it was only 14,000. So happy for UA I look forward to his honest reviews. Low budget but high quality. Lol. Keep it up and congratulations.
I subbed at around 4K subs. I knew his channel would blow up these reviews are really entertaining and informative as a New Yorker
@@Pintexx I watched videos of UA when he only had like 1200 subs, but didn't subscribe until recently when he was around 19K. What amazes me is he doesn't do this full time still, and puts out content like crazy still.
I really like the comparaison to the Philly CheeseSteak, seems really true to me! 👌🏼 As a Québecois, there is really good poutine in Montréal, but the best poutine are often in more remote region where the cheesecurd are made fresh each day. Also, if you want to know, poutine originated from the Drummondville/Victoriaville area in Center of Québec region!
And it is not mozzarella cheese, more a curd of some king of cheddar and the best one is from St-Fidèle sur la côte-nord....la semaine dernière il était chez Schwarts et disait que la poutine originait de ce restaurant...
@@richardberube3195il a dit que Schwartz a créer la poutine? Probablement en train de faire le yeux pour un client.
@@vlada la poutine provient de la région des Bois Franc....
La poutine c'est pas de la cuisine. Franchement, c'est une combinaison de trois ingredients fast food.
Agreed! Best pouting in Quebec is always a random run down hole in the wall or chip truck in the back roads of Quebec. There’s one like every 10 min lol
Cheese curds, which we call in French “Fromage en grain” (or in slang “fromage en crottes”), are unfinished cheddar curds made from fresh pasteurized milk. The moist, curdled milk pieces make a funny “squeak squeak” in the mouth, and that’s why it’s often called “squeaky cheese”. At the end of the 50s, dairy farmers created this product as a solution for selling their excess production milk. Since then, anywhere in Québec, you can buy cheese curds and eat it as a snack. They are fresh daily in supermarkets, fromageries (cheese shops) and dépanneurs (corner stores). It is best at room temperature, and after 24h, it must be refrigerated. This cheese don't melts in the poutine.
Ua does great reviews. Very personal and believable.
Good for you. One of the Best food comparison videos Ive seen. All facts no BS
Your content is getting better with each video!
You were about a 10-minute walk from the bakery that makes the best pastry I've eaten, one that put croissants to shame (and I love croissants). Au Kouign-Amann has a Normandy-trained patissier whose specialty is a pastry called kouign-amann. Mind-blowing. And I've eaten around the globe and had a few decades head start on your journey. It's located at 322 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, about a 10-minute walk west from La Banquisé.
pas pire
Au Kouign-Amann is incredible.
Best croissant hands down for me!
So happy to see you here in Canada UA!!!! ❤❤❤
Just watched your savory poutine video. Thanks for introducing poutine to me! I'd never heard of it 'till now! 😊
UA… you are my favorite. Keep this simple format… and never sell out. Come to Hawaii and do some episodes here. I’ll give you the places…😊
Nice review, UA! I've never tried Poutine, but you sure made me want to now. Thanks for doing what you do so well!
You're not missing anything
It seems that you, and some other American you-tubers sometimes say "I'm just an ignorant American". Well, there's a cure for ignorance and it seems that your getting it. I cured my ignorance of America over a long time by doing what your doing. Getting out there and learning about different cultures, food, and people. Keep up the good work!
Great vid. Hope you are making a video on Montreal Bagels and Smoked Meat as well!
I made one on smoked meat! Didn't have time to make one on bagels but I did try them while there
i love your reviews just your honest opinion, no schtick or schlock, i respect that and that poutine looks so good. i love fries and gravy so im sure its right up my alley
Very cool, thanks for sharing
Amazing seeing one of my favorite foodtubers enjoying one of my favorite dishes... Wish I got to try la banquise, but I DEFINITELY recommend Patati Patata next time you're in Montreal, it's one of the most heavenly poutines I've ever had....
This channel is going to blow up.
Watching you eat. You really enjoy your food
Indeed!
Well Quebec really invented poutine and thank God people are very passionate about it still.
Pokey and I are originally from Montreal. You must try Mtl smoked meat (medium fat), fries and a Cott black cherry drink at Schwartz's. Also, try steamed hot dogs (steamies) at the Montreal Pool Room on St.Laurent or La Belle Province. Finally, you must try Mtl pizza with cheese on the top! Happy eating UA!
have e the Schwartz's experience many times...need to try a Steamie!
What is MTL pizza with cheese on top? haha
I had a smocked meat sandwich and bowl of poutine at Schwartz. Still not sure how i ate it all without getting a heartattack 😂
I lived in Montreal for a couple of years. Ate lots of poutine - so good. So funny you get the "squeaky" cheese thing for the curds. Hope you checked out the Montreal-style bagels when you were there - the best bagels in North America (IMO). Unbelievably delicious.
Another great video
My new fav channel now.
nice review
People go to La Banquise after a night of drinking because it's 24h/7. It's also on the pricier side due to its popularity. Sometimes, the lineup can be quite long at 3am. A hole in the wall poutine would be Decarie Hot-Dogs at 953 Decarie Boulevard. A real Montreal institution open for over 50 years.
Big fan of your videos UA! Keep up the solid content. My s/o is from NY and although we live in Denver, it’s fun to watch places she’s familiar with. Any chance we can send you a hat?
We were in Montreal a few years ago and went to LA banquise. The line was up the block and we waited a little over an hour but boy was it worth it. Good stuff indeed.
While in Montreal you have to do smoked meat and bagels.
And there is a fantastic ice cream place right next to Fairmont bagel called Kem coba.
I hope you enjoyed your trip, you obviously enjoyed your poutine.
Bienvenue à Montréal 😊 I hope you enjoyed your stay. Next time try a smoked meat poutine you will taste two amazing specialities in the same dish 😋
You want a good poutine, go to any "Casse-Croute" on the country side. Usually these little spot are only open in the summer and they have picnic table outside for dining. It's a debate where it was created, either Princeville, Victoriaville or Drummondville, all in the center of Quebec.
I've been living in Montreal my whole life, La Banquise is pretty good, it's a very solid poutine, but it's not that better then any other solid poutine spot. However, it's more crowded and expansive.
Thanks for sharing! Good to hear a Quebecois perspective
Expansive or expensive? Prices were cheap..
@@joelb.2685 I haven't been to La Banquise in a while, I admit that 9.95$ in today's economy is pretty good. I stand corrected. The difference between La Banquise and most other Poutine spot is that you have to tip the server because it's a sit down restaurant, while most poutine spot are not.
Great place at 3am after a night of drinking!
Do you have any recommendations for a good poutine place? I'm coming up in November and definitely want to try it! Lol plus a tour of Chinatown.
Love the positive UA vids 🤣
Great video. My ex lives in JC so we used to frequent Wurstbar. I liked the vibe and the beers but I’m not a fan of the fusion Poutine. Spent 3 weeks in Canada not long ago and they have better Poutine in the airport than we have in the entire US. Recommend trying the small places rather than what’s trendy or what’s considered “the birthplace”. It’s like going to Philly and getting Cheesesteak at Gino’s and Pat’s (a reference I’m sure you understand.). Also, you want to eat Poutine right as it’s served, before the gravy soaks the fries and the cheese completely melts, this way the cheese will “squeak”. Just some friendly advice!
I will be upfront that I don't know much about poutine. Canadians and Quebecois, how's the poutine at La Banquise? And do you have spots you prefer?
If you ever come to Canadian Prairies(Alberta here), let me know! I'll have some good choices! While in Quebec, don't be afraid to try a Tourtière(French Canadian style meat pie).
For good poutine, as long as gravy is good, real cheese curds and crispy fries, you are in heaven.
La Banquise is okay, pretty much on the same level as in the rest of Montreal. The big problem is that the cheese curds usually are not fresh from the day or they put them in the fridge, which makes them lose much of their squeakiness and makes them melt under the sauce’s heat (you want them to keep their shape). The best classic poutine I’ve had in Montreal was at Chez Tousignant, near the Marché Jean-Talon. Otherwise, you got to leave the island and within an hour drive towards the east, you’ll find many poutines much better than La Banquise in small restaurants, such as Pataphil or Chez Dave et Dan or Chez Alfa (that one being the closest). Still probably not on any tourist’s itinerary though.
And it’s pronounced (ban-kiz) and not (ban-ki-zu), that was just the lady putting lots of emphasis on the end of the word to get the message across 😅
Come to Ville Mercier for Restaurant Grégoire next time you cone up to MTL. South shore on the 138.
Hey UA! Next time you're in Montreal, definitely try out La Poule Mouillée across the street! Much better poutine in my opinion, with some great Portuguese chicken on top. Not something to miss!
The gravied French fries 🍟 seems amazing !
Hello from Montreal. Nice review, glad you liked your first real poutine québécoise. About the cheddar cheese curds, did you know you can buy them in grocery stores all over Quebec? They're sold unrefrigerated usually day fresh, still slighly wet. I know some other Quebecer will say it's better to get them straight from the dairy, but I live in town so it's the best I can get.
As an American who loves poutine - if the cheese curd doesn't squeak when you bite into it, ew! lol I forget the poutine chain I ate at, maybe Smokehouse's Poutinery or something similar? They were testing a new poutine when I was there - it was a pulled pork (or chicken I believe they offered also) poutine. The gravy was SO good, and the fries and cheese curds were top tier. Even from a chain place it was better than any poutine I've had in the US. Except in Niagara Falls. I did have an incredible poutine there on a trip I did to the area there. That was still actually my favorite poutine I've ever had, and it was just a normal "regular" poutine. I wish the dish was more popular here in the US. But, it is what it is.
when you mentioned you were in montreal i was hoping you would have done a review. ive had it with poutine. been there done that so everyone else enjoy!
If you are in Montreal, you better also be going to Schwartz’s for a smoked meat sandwich. Even better than Katz Deli..
I did! It's the next video
@@uaeatsvery nice! I figured it would be the next one. You are doing a fantastic job with your channel.
@@uaeats Hope you did bagels too. Schwartz is overrated and pricey, strictly for tourists, and I say that as a native of NYC who now lives in Canada and who travels often to Montreal, where my son is a student at McGill. The bagels are a different breed than a NYC bagel, both great on their own way yet completely different.
Yes! Much better than Katz and I’ve had both days apart.
He's from suburban Philly though, they got Hershel's there, which is better than anything in NYC and better than Schwartz's too.
Hell yeah UA!!! Welcome to Mtl!
Great videos. I am a Montrealer and I recommend you try Deli Snowdon, both for smoked meat and poutine. Less touristy and delicious. We also have great Vietnamese soup places (Nguyen Phi on Côte des Neiges) and french bistros (L'Express, Chez Lévesque, Leméac...).
Looks delicious either NJ or Canada! But, I think I'll fly north!
An amazing poutine is the sum of its part. Crispy fresh cut fries, good tasting gravy and fresh squeaky curd. amazing!
Im from montreal. What I like about this place is the variety of flavors you can get. You know when youre from the place you want something different sometimes. Theres one with guacamole and sour cream, its super good
Poutine started at an arena that has a restaurant in Drummondville in the early 1980 where the Drummondville Sabers used to play...
awesome
New subscriber.
Cheers from London.
I went to this place before, amazing’ there’s also fair mint bagels worth trying! can’t believe you came to Beijing, I’m in Beijing, could have done a collab video together
if you love disco fries i highly recommend sun tavern in roselle park nj . This may not be poutine but if you like cheese fries and gravy this is the best for it
Montreal is a cool city and poutine slaps👍🔥🔥👍🇨🇦
Yum ❤
I'm going in a couple of months. Will definitely be trying that but also hitting up their Chinatown. Did you go? Any recs?
If you’re ever in the bay area id love for you to come out and try my food truck. Im closer to oakland than sf.
The bitterness is not wine, but is actually tea, I believe . La Banquise is totally respectable. Pleased for them to get a good review. It’s a huge student spot so they keep the prices low.. La Belle Province is the chain for more greasy spoon type place. Or Ashton in the Quebec City area is amazing!
Often in a take out container or bowl is best actually, as the heat concentrates and it becomes a melty mess..yummm!
Always best when on the road, say, coming back from camping. With a hot dog all dresss, nothing in the world tastes better in that situation.
With all the iconic restaurants in Montreal, I'm sure you went to other places other than La Banquise. BTW, I never had a bad poutine or smoked meat, in Montreal. Welcome to my hometown.
Never been to Montreal - but Mile End Deli in Brooklyn, NY. - best poutine in nyc.... they have the classic and then like 4-5 varieties. I like the classic and the smoked meat one....
If you end up checking it out - make sure to try the pierogies as well
Nice.Still a fan!
They sell the cheese curbs as snacks everywhere her :) you where right on with that though 😅
Great to see you in Montreal! As a Montrealer I find La Banquise is highly overrated. It's nice to see you react to it compared to whats considered a great poutine in the US. La Banquise is one of the most famous poutine shop because it's open 24h. If we're talking strictly about taste though we have several restaurants and fast food spots that blow La Banquise out of the water.
Anyways all that to say continue your good work!!! Its highly enjoyable :D
so true, somehow La Banquise became the place to eat poutine.
I’ve had my fair share of poutine being from Canada. My favourite always was and still is the smoked meat poutine!
If you ever get the chance to try Gérard Patate in Quebec province, poutine Gérard or (italian) poutines are very good. Gérard patate makes some of the best and their steamed hot dogs are also very good.
You might wanna take off the mirroring on your iphone too. u can go to settings and turn it off when it is grey it is clear off.
👍👍
Cheese curds are cheddar not mozzo! The origins of Poutine was rumoured to be a combo of '' frites sauce & crottes de fromage'' gravy fries with a bag of cheese curds, thar
were often requested at a diner adjacent to a factory by workers on lunch break who wanted an easy walking around meal. The owner eventually offered to combo the lot
into a dish, and poutine (colloquial for hodgepodge) was born! La Banquise may have 30 + varieties but, they are ok not the best in town.
I was looking for that comment :). We quebecers knows that "Ma poule mouillée" in front of La banquise might have a more decent poutine. The hidden gem of poutine at "La banquise" is La Taquise. Looks like the most unexpected mix of all.
About the fries, it's hard to tell if Montreal have it's own style of fries, but greassy and squishy fries are something here. 🤷 I'll think about where it's stands in the poutine game. Very crispy fries doesn't make the best poutine, but it might be the most misconception about it for those who are foreigners to the poutine.
UA, you’re in my town, enjoy! You need to do Schwartz’s and also Chalet BBQ.
Australian ppl love chips and Garvey.
And we also like kababe meat or chicken over fries with topings .
So id probably really like this as well .🇦🇺👍😀
Wow this place was excellent for value. Nice .
are you coming to toronto? I can show you around
Make sure to try St-Viateur bagel with cream cheese and the Lobster Tail from Alati-Caserta!!!
Lobster tail or cannoli, the best.
Costco Canada has decent, actually I find it scrumpscious, poutine. They changed the gravy a couple times, well since I first tasted it in late 2006. The first gravy was best and the latest gravy comes in a close second. Though I cant tell what the gravy is made of cuz I used to work at a theater with 3 fast food restaurants that had Poutine, which all were made of powdered gravy mix. KFC's poutine was obviously chicken, but if somebody didn't tell me Burger King gravy and New York Fries gravy were vegetarian, I would assume they were made of chicken or beef. Maybe New York fries makes their gravy so dark brown so people assume it was made out of beef. New York fries uses fresh cut potatoes, while Costco uses battered process fries you fund in their freezer isle. Poutine is the name of a book I am currently righting as you can see.
Sounds like I need to try Costco in Canada sometime!
@@uaeats IT aint Montreal poutine, but the abundance of real cheese curds and gravy, it gets the job done for the price cuz it's pretty filling. It used to be $5ca, but now it's $7ca. Still worth it IMO.
That's the worst poutine you can get in Quebec, but outside of Quebec it beats any fast food poutine or grated cheese poutine you find at other restaurant.
UE: nice vlog! There's so, so many super restaurants in Montreal for poutine that the place you went to is probably in the top 10! Now, the place you went to in the USA was a total waste of time. Mile End Deli in downtown Brooklyn is oened & operated by s Montrealer! They have super poutine, smoked meat & other Jewish-Canadian fare! This should be your stop for the Best poutine Montreal-style in the USA!
I hope you do a Belgium Tour one day.
Do a review of buffets or eat all you can restaurants 😊
UA first of all kudos to you for going to the source of poutine and crossing international borders. Trying to say menu items correctly. Much appreciated. Quebec is known for its artisanal cheese. Its eaten across Canada as a premium food. The curd is a white cheddar, not mozzarella. Its creamy bc of the dairy quality in Canada. No hormones or antibiotics. Lets see where else you go in Montreal? Smoked meat, crepes, bagels and other pastries are good tries too.
It's creamy because it's brand new cheese, not for any other reason you mentioned.
How do you travel from NJ to Montreal?
Have been to Montreal. Poutine, was interesting. I enjoyed it. An 8.
Tom Green says Ottawa has the best Shawarma and I can attest to the fact that they probably do as I lived in Ottawa for about 7 years. This is probably prerecorded, but if you are still in Canada, Ottawa Shawarma is worth checking out. On the same street where worked at the theater with all the different poutines, there were two incredible Shawarma restaurants, one called Shawarma BBQ and the other Shawarma Shack, which eventually got renovated and became Shawarma Palace. My cousin Took me with his kids to a minor league hockey game and during second intermission this dude dressed in a kings robe with a crown was walking in the crowd and everyone knew him as the Garlic King from some Shawarma restaurant. Downtown Ottawa has a ton of Shawarma restaurants with names like Shawarma Prince, Shawarma King, Shawarma Emperor etc. You cant go wrong with Ottawa Shawarma. Ottawa also has some top tier local Pizza like Georgie's(both Georgie's).
I live in Ottawa! Shawarma Prince is the best place out of all the ones you listed!
3 Brothers is pretty good too.
💜
I think this is more authentic than having a production crew.
Snowden Deli, Schwartz, Reubens and Smoke meet Pete are all good smoked meat joints to try.
Come to the Philippines try some of the food 😊
do u happen to know if the curds in the poutine are from curdistan?
If you want top notch hole in the wall Montreal institutions you should try Montreal Pool Room and Decarie Hot Dogs. Consistently good steamed hot dogs / french fries and poutine. If you like strange local venues. Dic Anns has thin spicy sauced burgers which are pretty unique. Lafleurs has a Volcano burger/cheeseburger which is the spiciest burger (all dressed) and quite addictive with the mix of onions/coleslaw/volcano paste spread on the cooked patty
when you are up in Montreal try the smoked meat sandwiches. Much better than Katz's and a lot cheaper
la banqueeeze , la banquif, la bansquezze, la banqui, I think you got it in one of your variations!!
Hi what does UA stand for? I know my work sent me in to get a UA once a year . but im certain that's not what your UA means.
Gonna be honest, the quasi poutine at Burger Kings in the Montreal / Quebec area is surprisingly solid.
I just read on the net that La Banquise is open twenty four hours a day. I wonder how many people arriving there at 2:00 a.m. just want to eat a little Poutine in order to soak up some of the alcohol ingested on the previous evening; helps make the next day's hangover a little less severe.
Yes it's open 24/7! I went around 11am
I lived in MTL for 24 years, and my friends and I would only go there 'cause it's the only place that's open after all the clubs and afterhours have closed and where you're allowed to linger
at 2 or 3 am, you can expect a 30-45 min. line-up outside (particularly thur.-fri.-sat.) because, like you said, poutine is the perfect drunken meal, and there is less places still open.
The JC poutine actually looks good. Fries are the right size, color and texture, not too much gravy, cheese curds nice and big and only 10% melted, which is what you want. Looks legit for the US.
I agree, that place makes a mean poutine! My go to spot whenever I'm in the area
I Miss Montreal. If you are hungover..... and its easy to get hung over in MTL... LOL , this is the cure. ( along with another beer... LOL )
Disco 💜
La Banquise, Schwartz’s, Gibeau Orange Julep - Montreal’s holy trinity of tourist traps. For bagels, forget about the St-Viateur vs Fairmount conundrum and just head to Le Trou. If you get the chance and the reservation, Restaurant Paloma and Salle Climatisée are the zeitgeist of the city. Enjoy Montreal!
Where else you hitting while in MTL?
🏆🌿 the no 1 RUclips channel 🌿🏆
UA, you have to try the Frites in Belgium. Out of this world. They invented fries there so they definitely know what they're doing.
My favorite place is Fritland in Brussels. They also serve other fried goods like frikandel and chicken strips.
Greetings from Mexico!
There is Belgian Frites Shop in Queens, NYC! 50 different sauces!
One of my favorite Poutine in Montreal is from "Frite Alors!". Belgium style fries with typical Quebec cuisine. Their Pulled-Pork Poutine is my go-to.
I always liked gravy on the fries.
I'm American.
hey UA, you need to go to l'avenue in montreal
Good video, its cheddar cheese curds btw
A couple pronunciations for you from a local English speaking Quebecer! Montreal = “Mun-tree-all” and Poutine = “Poo-tsin”. Great video and enjoy Quebec!!!
they should ban him for al lthe times he pronounced the city wrong! lol
Too pedant. Let him say things the way he wants. I’m sure you’re pronouncing all the Italian food dishes incorrectly
@@ramencurry6672 If you watch him at all, you know he is always looking for comments from locals on how to pronounce things.. stop being a troll.
@@Morencys just be nice to him. That’s all
@@ramencurry6672 Read my comment.. its nothing but polite??
I mostly tune in for that squishy face he makes when he absolutely loves what he's biting into....I had no doubt UA would deliver it with max intensity for a poutine from the most gorgeous city in Canada, the great Montreal! I''m pretty sure poutine was 'invented' in deep Quebec (Nordique country, as opposed to the city), but La Banquise is definitely the most lively place to get this Canadian classic (not to mention, the people watching is exquisite)
Chez gerard, a small quebec chain has the best hands down 🔥
You need to try the poutine at poule mouille right in front
The cheese curd they use (they should be using at least) it's a squeaky cheddar cheese curd, not mozzarella. The squeaky cheddar curd used to be a Quebec specialty that you couldn't get anywhere else, and even if you attempt to bring it home you wouldn't be able to as once the cheese became less fresh you lost the squeakiness. Nowadays though there are some other cheesaries that would make these outside of Quebec, so they are a bit more accessible.
I am surprised ketchup was not offered, or was that skipped? Poutine with a mix of ketchup is a great experience.
You can also get fresh cheddar cheese curd in Wisconsin, as they also have a long tradition of eating curd, but they tend to snack on them fried, while here we snack on them fresh. They also make them with orange cheddar, while here it is exclusively white cheddar curd.
Ketchup is usually free service, not something that offered, it usually right next to some white vinegar. Lot of people consider ketchup on poutine to be heresy in Québec. Personally I don't, I am mostly on stickler on the cheese, as I regularly snack on curd. I also prefer fries the old fashioned way, fried in lard, give a very similar result to Belgian fries, which are done in beef tallow, until the late 80s fries were mostly done in lard, but around the same time American Fast Food chain started to arrive in force, cooking oils price also came to be lower price then lard, so most place switched to oil.