Mon Dieu! Poutini’s House of Poutine, Toronto

Like maple syrup and ice hockey, nothing says Canada more than poutine: French fried potatoes smothered in cheese curds and then topped with thick, rich gravy. And while most Canadians will argue that the very best poutine can only come from Quebec — where the idea was born — Poutini’s House of Poutine, in Toronto, are looking to give the Quebecois a run for their money. Mon dieu! Here, at Poutini’s House, Nick and Fred Laliberte are serving up what has been voted the very best poutine in Toronto.

Their Belgian style, hand cut potatoes are twice fried; their cheese curds from Maple Dale Farms are flown in fresh almost daily (to maintain their quintessential “squeakiness”); and their traditional gravy is homemade, in house, with several hours for simmering and all. This indulgent Canadian goodness is then wrapped up in environmentally-friendly, biodegradable packaging and paper. Oh Canada.