Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Poutine: Canada's Pride
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Mar 26, 2025 Dive into the delicious world of poutine, a beloved Canadian dish that originated in rural Quebec. Learn about its explosive rise in popularity and regional variations that give it cultural significance. From humble beginnings to global fast food fame, poutine has evolved into gourmet interpretations while keeping its comforting essence intact. Hear the humorous take on its calorie count paired with heartfelt tales of this culinary gem, and discover suggestions for enjoying it authentically, whether at a local diner or home.
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Poutine's Origin Story
- Fernand Lachance of Café Ideal in Warwick, Quebec, first added cheese curds to fries at the request of a customer, Eddie Lannes, in 1957.
- Six years later, he added gravy to keep the fries warm, thus creating the first poutine.
Another Claim to Poutine
- Jean-Paul Roy claims he served poutine at his drive-in, Le Roy Jussep, in Drummondville, Quebec, in 1964.
- He called it "fromage patate sauce" after customers began adding cheese curds to his fries and sauce.
Etymology of Poutine
- "Poutine" translates to "messy" or "mess" in Quebec slang and might come from the English word "pudding."
- The term "pudding" referred to a mix of various foods, similar to poutine's hodgepodge nature.