It's the most delicious time of the year in Ottawa: Poutine Week is back, and restaurants across the capital are serving up creative, over-the-top takes on the dish that arguably belongs to Quebec but has been enthusiastically claimed by the entire country. Ottawa very much included.
What Is Ottawa Poutine Week?
Poutine Week (La Semaine de la Poutine) is a national event in which participating restaurants offer special poutine creations at a fixed price. Ottawa has historically had strong participation, with everything from classic chip wagons to fine-dining restaurants getting in on the action.
Best Bets Across the City
La Poutine Week Classics: For a traditional fries-curds-gravy experience done right, look to the chip wagons and diners in Hull/Gatineau, where the Quebec tradition runs deepest. Patate Bertrand (Hull) remains a sentimental favourite.
Creative Takes: Ottawa's gastropubs and upscale comfort food restaurants tend to push the format furthest. Shepherd's, Pub Italia, and several Westboro spots have historically offered everything from smoked meat poutine to lobster-topped variations.
Student Faves: The Rideau Street corridor and Bank Street near Carleton University always have solid options at student-friendly prices. The Elgin Street Diner, open late and reliably good, is a perennial pick.
This Year's Highlights
Check La Semaine de la Poutine's official website for the current map of participating Ottawa restaurants. New this year are several Centretown entries featuring local cheese curds sourced directly from Prescott-Russell dairy farms, arguably the most important ingredient upgrade possible.
The Great Debate
While you're eating, feel free to weigh in on Ottawa's perpetual food debate: is squeaky fresh cheese curd essential, or will melted curd do? (The correct answer is squeaky. This is not negotiable.)
Source: Ottawa Life
