So today, November 20, 2008 is the grand opening of Toronto’s first all-poutine restaurant, Smoke’s Poutinerie. There was a lot of talk in the blogosphere about how awesome this was going to be but, despite my blog’s content I never acknowledged the news of it’s opening because I just assumed that it would be ok at best and I was not going to start telling everyone about it before I even had a chance to get in there.
Knowing that today was the opening day, a week and a bit ago I told my work that I would not be in today as I had some appointments and what not. At 10:20 AM I called to find out when they opened. The answer? 11:30. I booted it to 218 Adelaide Street West (just east of Adelaide and Simcoe) and showed up at the door at 11:32 and was first in-line and seemingly the third customer. I was there 6 minutes (without exaggeration) before the line went to the back of spot, out the door, down the stairs and spilling onto the sidewalk.
What you see here is the “Traditional” – one of Smoke’s many poutine variations. I figured that it would be important for me to try the traditional first since what I always complain about here is how Toronto has been bastardizing the simple idea of delicious poutine.
What I cannot complain about here is the fries. Wait. Before I go there…notice the cheese curds? You should. It’s also worth noting that they were really fresh and made a wonderful squeaking noise when chewed. Ok back to the fries – this were basically the way that poutine fries should be! They were almost as good as Caplansky’s fries.
The only bummer, to be honest, is the gravy. The “Traditional” gravy, as per the menu, is a hybrid of chicken and beef gravy. While the above looks perfectly on point, it tasted a little weird and it was a little off-putting that, even going early, there was some parts of the gravy that were strangely “thicker” than other parts. I can’t even put my finger on the taste – there is something that just was not agreeing with me.
For $5.95, however, you get a lot of food. I had a day of things planned on my day off, instead I had to come home to chill out and write this because I was so full that it hurt.
I’m kind of torn right now – is this the best traditional poutine that I have had in Toronto (despite not being into the gravy)? Or, as my friend suggest that I have “succumbed to Toronto’s pitiful standards of poutine that even a mediocre joint throws [me] off key”?
Whatever. I know for a fact that I will go back and try some of the other concoctions that Smoke’s has to offer.
November 20, 2008 at 2:39 pm |
I totally agree with you on the gravy part – there was definitely something missing. I was there about two hours ago and had the pulled pork which was really good.
November 21, 2008 at 12:41 am |
I want to go there. Looks good in the pics! Thanks for posting this.
November 21, 2008 at 9:44 am |
You’re right. The yardstick for a poutine’s quality has to be based on the traditional standards. It’s way to inaccurate to compare something crazy with something traditional. It’s like comparing a fully restored T-Model against a Buggati Veyron. Also, I find “creative renditions” of poutine are too easy of a cop-out. The ‘creative additions’ can easily mask any flaws.
What is eluding me is why Torontonians are unable to grasp the very simple combination of the traditional recipe? Chicken Gravy + Fresh Cut Fries + Curds. What’s so hard about that? Tabernak! If welfare-leeching, Export A smoking peppers can do it, so can we!
November 21, 2008 at 1:50 pm |
I’m fine the way the poutine tasted. Had a Pulled Pork Poutine. No skimping on the amount of pulled pork on it. Savoury Sweet BBQ sauce mixed with gravy.
November 23, 2008 at 3:32 pm |
I totally agree with your review. I loved this place.
November 23, 2008 at 9:00 pm |
I had the chance to recently go here too. Here’s my review. Its a little too greasy for me.
http://www.nothincrazie.com/index.php/2008/11/23/smokes-poutinerie-review-best-poutine-in-toronto/
December 7, 2008 at 5:33 pm |
I was there this past week and was more than a little disappointed.
I ordered the traditional. And although the fries were good, the curds FANTASTIC, the gravy RUINED the experience.
It was disappointing. It’s amazing that somewhere like Burger King can master a closer representation to the gravy.
As well, when I lived in Montreal there were places that prided themselves on true Acadian poutine. With that it’s ALL about the gravy. The gravy is dark, rich and sweetened…*sigh*
I couldn’t help feeling a bit “ripped off” by Smoke’s.
December 11, 2008 at 3:39 pm |
I totally agree. Fries are good, cheese is as good as it gets west of Belleville, but the gravy is really weird. Tastes almost soapy. Complete turn-off.
January 29, 2009 at 9:16 pm |
I went there on a weekday afternoon, since it isn’t worth waiting in a long line for fries and gravy. [Aside: there's a good burrito place on lower level.] Fries are good. Cheese and toppings are fine, for poutine. The gravy tasted bland and tasted like it was from powder-mix or can. For a poutine specialty place and with those prices, I hope they use stock or jus made from scratch. Gravy should be rich and with a little more salt.