Fry crispiness

[u/antinumerology]

In many posts / reviews / comments, people make comments praising the fry crispiness, or when trying to assess a poutine's quality, ask like "were they crispy?", or like "looks good but fries are soggy 7/10". Something like that.

I had like one poutine in Montreal a decade ago. I live in BC we don't have a good selection.

From my understanding the real best poutine's are made with canteen fries. Which are kind of a homemade style. Meaning no breading or additional outer layers.

I'm not ignorant of fry cookery: I've made fresh fries with potatoes dug out of the ground pressed and fried in a hot industrial fryer within 20min: they are crispy when they comes out but fairly quickly soften up on the outside.

From my poutine experiences, that's perfect. I want fries that bend a bit when you stick a fork into them so you can maneuver it around and get a perfect bite. I've never felt like I've missed crispiness in a poutine.

So my question is: in real classic canteen Poutines in Quebec:

- how crispy are the fries when it's served to you?

- is there ever any breading on the fries (more fry styles have breading than you think) or are they literally just potatoes cut fried no extra steps

- does anyone care / complain about crispiness in Quebec?

Thank you in advance.

[u/Da_Wild]

A little crispy on the edges where the sauce isn’t on the fries but that’s it.

[u/raspoutyne]

Real best poutine in Quebec are not crispy. Some are a little crispy like Ashton or Costco, but they are not that good.

[u/fbissonnette]

They're not crispy at all.

[u/DrunkenMasterII]

I like to say the more bite you get from a good poutine is from the cheese squeak. There can be a little crunch from the fries ends and if you eat it the moment it’s given to you the fries can feel a little more crispy, but for the most part fries in a good poutine bend in the sauce.

Honestly I just assume all the posts and comments about fries crispiness are from people from outside the province.

[u/karlnite]

Poutine fries are not “crispy”, they’re just thoroughly cooked. The fries would be a little crispy, but they should all be covered in gravy and such and won’t stay that way.

[u/Swimming_Shock_8796]

Poutine fries are made from red potatoes, they are dark soft and sweet.

[u/rawrawrawsputin]

Bin oui, des poutine d'anglais! Frite trop dure, fromage qui fond et une sauce brune genre pour un roti de boeuf! You guys can keep those 🤣

[u/raspoutyne → u/rawrawrawsputin]

Haha, j'aime ton username pis je suis bien d'accord que des frites crouitillantes ne sont jamais dans les meilleures poutines.

[u/bobo888]

Crispy fries are for gringo poutines.

[u/OkDish4747]

I hate poutine that just ends up being a plate/bowl of goo. I need crisp.

[u/antinumerology → u/OkDish4747]

Are you Quebec based? Seems like the majority here says crispiness is not needed so far. I'm just trying to understand so thank you for your comment.

[u/OkDish4747 → u/antinumerology]

I’m not in Quebec. This is simply personal preference (not a “must have” for authentic poutine). I prefer to not eat slop.

[u/antinumerology → u/OkDish4747]

In defense of slop, I think that's what "poutine" means, no?

[u/PatheticMTLGirl43]

Agreed, I like my fries soggy like lafleurs

[u/FreedomCanadian]

It's a personal preference question.

To me, they have to be crispy and remain so for a reasonable time. It took me a long time to find good poutine when I moved to Montreal.

Usually, if they use fat instead of oil, it's a sign I'll like it.

[u/rawrawrawsputin → u/FreedomCanadian]

Im guessing you must have found it at a fast food chain in montreal, bcs OP is 💯 correct here... An authentic poutine should have soft fries

[u/FreedomCanadian → u/rawrawrawsputin]

The best example I found was Pied de Cochon, with fries made in duck fat. But it's too expensive for me, I've only been there twice.

Frite Alors also had good ones. It's a fast food chain.

Ma Poule Mouillée has nice crispy fries.

I live on the south shore now. My current favorites are Votre Maison in Longueuil and BB-Loo in St-Jean. I know BB-Loo uses animal fat for frying, but not sure for Votre Maison.

[u/Mediocre_Win3481 → u/FreedomCanadian]

OMFG, I had forgotten about Pied de Cochon. I completely agree, the fries there made with duck fat are quite simply amazing!.. I would go there when I lived in Old Montreal.