Searching For Poutine in Austin

I first tried Poutine on a business trip to Montreal in the early ’90s. The restaurant was a cozy spot called Moxie’s Grill. I asked my server for a recommendation (a good idea at a place where the waiters actually get to sample the food) and he instantly suggested the poutine.

As I learned, Poutine is a French-Canadian comfort food that mixes crisp pommes frittes with cheese curds and brown gravy. While the ingredients initially seemed a bit disconnected I quickly discovered that they were anything but that. The French fries totally worked with the gravy and the cheese curds were the perfect enhancement. The only minor negative was that it was a very large serving and take home and rehearing wasn’t an option.

So I’d always kept Poutine in the back of my food memory vault (yeah I have one) and I was happy to find that Frank on Colorado (now closed) offered a very serviceable version. That became my go-to Poutine spot for several years. But then they and for a time I was, to coin a phrase, Poutineless. So I’ve checked around and have been pleasantly surprised. Here’s what I found.

HAYMAKER
This cozy spot on Manor Road may not rigidly adhere to the French-Canadian standards: they use a country brown gravy and even go so far as to offer a white peppery gravy (which you’ll never find in Montreal). But I’ve tried both versions and they’re really quite good. The white gravy version can also be ordered with bacon which blends in seamlessly with the Wisconsin cheese curds. I ordered that as well and I’d highly recommend it.

THE SALTY SOW
This longtime Manor Road favorite has another variation on the Poutine theme with triple-fried duck fat fries over a cold bearnaise sauce. Like everything at the Sow, chef Harold Marmulstein really nails this one. The flavor profile is deliciously subtle but has a first bite flavor rush that is quite remarkable.

BANGER’S SAUSAGE HOUSE & BEER GARDEN
This restaurant on Rainey Street has always been one of my favs for their incredible sausages, but when I heard they’d added Poutine to the menu I was there in a heartbeat. It was a very tasty dish. Bangers’s fries have always been terrific, so the gravy and the cheese curds were the denouement as the French would say. But I haven’t seen it on the menu lately so I’m not sure if it’s offered periodically. Nonetheless, when you see it on there, be sure to get it!

HOPDODDY BURGER BAR
There was a rumor going around that Hopdoddy on South Congress had a Poutine burger. Not sure if it’s true but stop by and find out. Given the amazing quality of their burgers if they do have it’ll probably be off the charts. Good luck.

WINGZUP
I think they have hands down the best wings in the city and somewhat unexpectedly they also so do a good Poutine. Don’t know about the mozzarella sticks that come with it but worth a try!

So there you have it food fans. And if you haven’t tried Poutine what are you waiting for? Tres bien!