Chez Tousignant — Restaurant in Montreal

The 4 stars over 5 is for the poutine solely

The sauce: Indeed, as marketed by the eatery, it felt homemade. It did not feel like a sauce that was made from powder, for sure. Which is always a bonus, for me. A bonus for any serious connoisseur of the poutine, too. Dark brown color. A texture that’s not too thick, not too light. In Quebec, the poutine’s sauce is always a secret, therefore the staff would not confirm what it was made of , but there was a pleasant base of beef stock taste in that gravy. One proper flavour profile for a Quebecois poutine’s gravy, no doubt about that, but with an additional ‘peppery’ seasoning that is actually not that strong at all (quite subtle), but present enough to say that it did add zip to the gravy. It is not the most eventful of the poutine sauces that I ever tasted in the province of Quebec, but it is a sauce that is delicious enough, the seasoning well balanced. 7/10

The cheese curds: They came from Fromagerie Boivin in La Baie, QC. I used to be a huge fan of their cheese curds, back in the days. But now, it is easy to get them in Montreal, which is great for their business, but I find that took away a bit of its luster (I had the same issue with the cheese curds of Fromagerie St-Guillaume, which is nowadays easy to find in Montreal, too). In this instance, I was not floored by their cheese curds as I was missing the balanced deep creamy taste, buttery sensation and fresh lactic fragrance of some of the stellar cheese curds that I did enjoy at some of this province’s finest poutineries. These were still of fine quality, just not as dazzling as I came to expect from the other superb cheese curds I had elsewhere in Quebec. Some online accounts did report that they did not squeak. But they did when I was there (btw, the squeak does not always mean that it is utterly fresh. Take some cheese curds of 2,3 days ago that was left in a fridge, put them in a plastic bag and leave them in warm water and see how squeaky your cheese curds will be, lol) . Not melty (which is what true local connoisseurs of poutines do look for). CT needs to serve them at room temperature, though ( most curds were actually fine, but I still caught three or four curds that were a bit cold. Not the end of the world, for sure , but …). 7/10

The french fries: Homemade feel of the poutine french fries found in a typical Quebecois casse-croûte (brown crusted, mealy interior) in opposition to the crispy, lightly-golden french fries found in some American fast food chains. Again, a quality that a true local connoisseur of the poutine will appreciate. These were evenly cooked, tasty and adequately seasoned, but the potato flavor not as expressive as at, let us say, the casse-croûtes found in some rural areas of the province of Quebec. 7/10

To rate a poutine of this quality with no more than a 7/10 (which, admittedly, is not bad at all, considering the fierce local competition) is a brutal reminder that this is the land of the poutine: it is indeed really hard for a poutine shop in Montreal to challenge some of the best poutines of this province which are blessed with a variety of first-rate farm-to-table fresh cheese curds, potato and gravies of dazzling flavour. And CT’s, although good (especially by Montreal poutine standards), was not going to be a threat to...

It's my review after six visits. Nestled on Dolet Avenue in Montreal, Chez Tousignant is a true haven for burger aficionados. From the moment you step in, you're welcomed into a world where burgers are not just food, but a work of art. With options like cheese, bacon, or the divine marriage of both, their dedication to catering to every burger lover's desires is evident. 👏🍔🧀🥓

What struck me most was the meticulous attention to detail that permeated every aspect of my visit. Watching as they skillfully crafted the beef ball and transformed it into a succulent patty was a spectacle in itself. The grill's sizzle and the aroma that filled the air set the stage for a burger that was nothing short of perfection. The patty, resting atop a soft bun, was adorned with a symphony of flavors - burger sauce, melted cheese, and a colorful array of garden-fresh vegetables. 🍅🥬🍔

But this experience extended beyond the burger itself. The fries, served piping hot, added a satisfying crunch to each bite. Their homemade cherry soda was a delightful companion, adding a refreshing zing to the palate. And the option to pair it all with a choice of beer elevated the experience to a new level. 🍟🥤🍺

The staff's warm and friendly demeanor further enhanced the dining journey. With efficient service, they ensured that every aspect of my visit was seamless and enjoyable.

As I walked away from Chez Tousignant, I knew one thing for sure: I'll be back. This haven of burger craftsmanship has truly set a new standard, and I'm already looking forward to my next encounter with their exquisitely curated...

Walked in and smelled the grill! I'm a foodie that embraces the grease and all the fat things possible so from the smell of it I liked it right when I stepped in. Small little place, a few tables and also high tables which I think are cool and you can't find much like that in restos anymore. The staff is friendly and I love the open kitchen concept.

BUT sorry to disappoint all you readers. It was a disappointment. I got the small poutine and a tousignant cheese burger. The poutine sauce was decent but wasn't thick enough. Flavour could have been better. Fries got soggy super fast. They weren't crispy, wasn't potatoey enough for my liking. I do appreciate that the cheese was scattered everywhere and not just in the middle of the bowl. The sauce should have been so much hotter where it could melt the cheese curds because when I was eating it the cheese was still cold and hard. A good poutine has to be a balance of squeaky cheese and melty strings as well. The fries needs to be crispier, I suggest frying it twice so it keeps its crispiness longer.

The burger was dry and nothing special. The burger meat was lacking seasoning and flattened too much where it lost all its juices. Burger was topped with cheese, purple onions, pickles, tomato, lettuce and their special Sauce (tasted like a spicy mayo).

Overall, I will not be returning here and I really don't think it's worth the $17.55 I paid for a poutine and burger. I would...