By: ACE
Most early mornings in the back streets of Montreal, on the corner of Rachel Est and Boyer, you can find a collection of young adults gathering in anticipation of great food. No matter the weather outside, the place to be after a night out on the town is a small venue that serves poutine, where the price to pay for admission is usually a 30 to 60 minute wait. At first, I was shocked asking myself who would ever wait 60 minutes for food at three o'clock in the morning? I soon learnt the answer.
As an international student one of the first things I learnt about Canadians is that they love their poutine! For those of you who may be unaware of this Canadian delicacy, poutine stripped down to its core is composed of french fries, gravy, and cheese curd. Originally, poutine was invented in the late 1950's in the rural towns of Quebec. While many towns claim to be the proud inventors of the concoction there is no official record of the first origin. Today you can find poutine at many "greasy spoons" type diners and fast food restaurants all across Canada but many Montrealers claim that the Banquise is simply the best.
Most early mornings in the back streets of Montreal, on the corner of Rachel Est and Boyer, you can find a collection of young adults gathering in anticipation of great food. No matter the weather outside, the place to be after a night out on the town is a small venue that serves poutine, where the price to pay for admission is usually a 30 to 60 minute wait. At first, I was shocked asking myself who would ever wait 60 minutes for food at three o'clock in the morning? I soon learnt the answer.As an international student one of the first things I learnt about Canadians is that they love their poutine! For those of you who may be unaware of this Canadian delicacy, poutine stripped down to its core is composed of french fries, gravy, and cheese curd. Originally, poutine was invented in the late 1950's in the rural towns of Quebec. While many towns claim to be the proud inventors of the concoction there is no official record of the first origin. Today you can find poutine at many "greasy spoons" type diners and fast food restaurants all across Canada but many Montrealers claim that the Banquise is simply the best.
After finally making your way to the bouncer (yes, this restaurant has a
bouncer) you can find shelter in the crowded waiting area of the lobby.
While often times this is a relief from the harsh weather conditions
outside it is equally as frustrating being teased by the smell of the
food being prepared to your left. After what feels like an entirety of
waiting, you and your group of friends are finally seated. You are one
step closer to your long awaited desires.They do serve hotdogs and
hamburgers but almost everyone makes a meal out of the poutine. While
most of what you endured to this point was a physical challenge the next
step may be the biggest obstacle for a first time attendee. After
deciding on having a poutine you must choose from no less than 25
variations (Banquise, 2012)! Toppings range from meats such as turkey,
bacon, beef and pork to additives such as hot peppers, Tabasco, and
guacamole. If they don't have what you want premade they will make what
you would like to order. The weirdest request I've seen to date was to
add maple syrup and corn to a "Poutine Dan Dan" which already is a
combination of pepperoni, bacon, and onions. Best of all you do not have
to worry about making it there before it closes because it is open 24
hours a day 7 days a week.
After what may feel like a journey, when receiving your meal you finally understand why you were there. Although many may say that the path traveled is the adventure in itself I can guarantee you that the treasure of the end is worth its weigh in gold. The Banquise is a great place for both locals and tourist, the young and the old to come together and enjoy a greasy Canadian tradition.
Bibliography
Banquise. (2012, 1 1). La Banquise. Retrieved 5 15, 2012, from La Banquise: http://www.restolabanquise.com/
Image source: Flickr
After what may feel like a journey, when receiving your meal you finally understand why you were there. Although many may say that the path traveled is the adventure in itself I can guarantee you that the treasure of the end is worth its weigh in gold. The Banquise is a great place for both locals and tourist, the young and the old to come together and enjoy a greasy Canadian tradition.
Bibliography
Banquise. (2012, 1 1). La Banquise. Retrieved 5 15, 2012, from La Banquise: http://www.restolabanquise.com/
Image source: Flickr
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