For our 850th Quest, we ventured out of town to one of the most talked-about poutine joints, a casse-croûte that has garnered significant attention in Mercier. The hype is palpable, with the establishment now selling merch and even offering pagers to alert customers when their orders are ready.

We were greeted at the door by a friendly attendant inquiring if we had ordered in advance—a charming touch…. albeit slightly overwhelming for this type of place.

One cannot fault the cleanliness of this place; it is immaculate and freshly renovated, evoking a sense of modernity. The food itself was commendable—while perhaps not the absolute best we’ve encountered, it certainly lived up to our expectations as classic fare.

The poutine? Objectively perfect in its execution—a harmonious blend of flavors that likely meets the standard set by even the most discerning poutine enthusiasts.

Yet, herein lies a subtle irony: this perfection in food felt overshadowed by an air of sterility that permeated the experience. I find myself grappling with the notion that while the food was satisfying, it also lacked that spark of excitement that one often craves when indulging in such a beloved traditional dish. The ambiance felt somewhat contrived, reminiscent of a Disneyland replica rather than an authentic homage to the world of casse-croûtes. The greeter, the merch, the pagers, the roped barriers for the line—all these elements contributed to a polished yet characterless environment.

While the poutine met our expectations, the experience left us yearning for depth and authenticity. It left us to ponder whether the allure of the hype can sometimes overshadow the joy found in simplicity.

August 16th, 2025 – Poutine Quest stop 40 – Restaurant Grégoire et Fils
✨Overall Score 9.1/10✨
Ordered :
🍟: Poutine Régulière, Poutine Steak Haché
🌭: Hot-Dog Vapeur, Hot-Dog Michigan
💰:💸💸