Poutine Chicago – Canada’s Gift to the City

Poutine Chicago options are beginning to expand, from the traditional ways that originated in Canada, to some of the most exquisite ways that you could ever imagine eating fries, cheese-curds, and gravy. When eggs, brisket, pulled pork, or even prime rib are added in1to the mix– flavor begins to escalate quickly.

For the most American way to eat Canada’s gift to us, continue reading..

Poutine Chicago Options:

The Gage – American Gastropub $$$
The Gage took home the top spot in Poutine Fest 2014 for their duck confit poutine. They currently are dishing up a poutine that almost sounds too good to be true: cider braised pork shoulder, pickled red onion, Wisconsin cheese curds, jalapenos, and topped by the most important factor– roasted pork gravy. You do not have to settled, gourmet poutine is on of the best ways to splurge.
They serve up a wickedly delicious breakfast poutine as well, with a yolk egg and sausage added to the mix.

The Loop
24 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 372-4243

The Big Cheese Poutinerie – American $ [Technically Canadian]
The Big Cheese Poutinerie just opened up its door this year, in April. This Canadian based chain took its first steps on U.S. soil with this Chicago location– on top of that, it is currently the only restaurant in Chicago to specialize solely on poutine. The amount of options here are almost overwhelming. They create dishes that you would never think of, but would not want to live without. They break it down into various groups, with multiple options in each: traditional, vegetarian, pork, chicken, beef. Find something that you do not like–I dare you.

Lakeview
3401 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
(872) 206-8749

The Monkey’s Paw – American $$
The Monkey’s Paw has adapted poutine to be a meal that can be enjoyed regardless of the time of day. They kick-off brunch with their take on breakfast poutine: their signature breakfast potatoes, house-made sausage gravy, sunny-side up egg to assure delicious yolk soaked everything, cheese curds, and topped with scallions. Their dinner menu treats is as a starter to share with friends. It is much like the breakfast version, minus the egg.

Lincoln Park, DePaul
2524 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 413-9314

Local Root – American $$
The Local Root is more of a tapas style restaurant, that happens to serve up a pulled pork poutine that makes you wish that it was bottomless. Their fries are pretty superb here, and they only get better in poutine form. House pickles, local-cheddar, and stone-ground mustard all combine to compliment the pulled-pork perfectly. This dish is basically a combination of everything that I love, minus chocolate.

Near North Side, River East
601 N Mcclurg Ct
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 643-1145

The Bad Apple – $$ American
I do enjoy The Bad Apple for the fact that they honor the traditional styling of the poutine. There is nothing necessarily gourmet, or super surprising about it– it is just good, traditional poutine. Just like any food, sometimes you prefer it in an extravagant style– but sometimes nothing is better than the original. You get fries, gravy, cheese curds– bam, done! They have a vegetarian option as well that entails a mushroom herbed gravy.

North Center
4300 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 360-8406

Sidedoor – American Gastropub $$
Sidedoor takes poutine and turns it into heaven. Their menu does revolve, which means that the toppings change, but you will not be disappointed. Duck, prime rib, and pulled pork have all made the list– but their current option is just as mouth-watering: beef bacon, pepperjack, gravy, roasted tomato, avocado, and you can add an egg to complete it. For gourmet poutine options, Sidedoor nails it.

Near North Side
100 E Ontario St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 787-6768

Hoppin Hots – American $
Hoppin Hots’ primary focus is gourmet level hot dogs, but they have managed to excel at quality poutine as well. They do not strive too far from traditional, but the small additions really do make all of the difference. Their poutine is put together with deep-fried cheese curds, beef gravy, pomme frites, & house-pickled red onions. The pickled red onions accent it just the right amount, and truly do make all of the difference.

Andersonville, Edgewater
1477 W Balmoral
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 989-4687

Bottlefork – American $$
Bottlefork has taken a mashup of fries, cheese, gravy, braised beef cheek– and morphed it into a visual and tastebud extravaganza. The slow cooked beef is the prime level of tenderness– the curds around it seem to want to engulf it before you can. With a superb gravy, and crunchy yet soft fries, Bottlefork is a sure visit for poutine Chicago fans.

Near North Side
441 N Clark
Chicago, IL 60626
(312) 955-1900

Bite Cafe – American $$
With Bite Cafe’s atmosphere being modern, yet cozy– one might expect their poutine to be the same. Well, it is. It is cozy in the sense of you know what you are getting, but modern in the creation and presentation. It is a no nonsense mash-up of french fries, bacon or mushroom gravy, cheese curds, and pickled chiles. To make it the perfect meal for breakfast, there is even an egg added.

Ukrainian Village
1035 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 395-2483

Spritzburger – American $$
Spritzburger attacks the poutine in two-different ways. They give you the option to enjoy it in the traditional way that it was intended, or you can devour poutine in the way that they intended. The poutine burger is really the most American way to eat poutine. It seems like whenever some delicious cuisine is brought to our attention, us Americans put it on a burger– that does not make me ashamed at all either. The grass-fed beef burger patty is topped with fries, cheese curds, sage country gravy and served open face. America.

Lakeview
3819 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 868-9866