Belly rumbling? It must be time for poutine at La Banquise. Right here, on Rachel Street East, stands a Montreal institution. La Banquise is open 24 hours a day. This iconic spot serves over thirty different kinds of poutine. Montrealers and tourists alike line up to savor this Quebecois classic.
La Banquise started as a dairy in 1968. Pierre Barsalou, a firefighter, was its founder. In the 1980s, it transformed into a 24-hour snack bar. Then it began serving its first poutines. Annie Barsalou and Marc Latendresse now run La Banquise. It’s known for its impressive variety of poutine.
Annie recalls the early days. “In 1994, when I took over my father’s business, there were only two kinds of poutines: the classic and the Italian.” Customers requested toppings like mushrooms, peppers, and steak. This led to the creation of the first specialty poutine, “La Elvis.”
La Banquise can seat 80 people inside. In the summer, the terrace adds another 50 seats. The current decor dates back to 2006. The owners expanded the restaurant and designed the look. Annie says, “We wanted to retain the friendliness of La Banquise and did not want anything too modern.” Staff and neighbors contributed to the decor. They took the photos on the walls and painted the tables. The atmosphere is welcoming and lively.
The menu at La Banquise is a team effort. Yohan Quintal manages the kitchen. However, creativity comes from the whole team. Employees and customers suggest recipes. Besides poutine, the menu includes burgers, sandwiches, salads, and brunches. Poutine remains the star.
Popular poutines include the T-Rex and Fred Caillou. The T-Rex has ground steak, pepperoni, bacon, and hot dog sausage. Fred Caillou features ground steak, smoked meat, spicy sausage, and merguez sausage. For more interesting flavors, try La Taquise or the Southwest. La Taquise includes guacamole, sour cream, and tomatoes. The Southwest has bacon, red onions, guacamole, onion rings, and Chipotle sauce. A microbrewery beer makes a perfect combo.
Eating at La Banquise is fun. Everyone is friendly. Annie loves the people. “They’re the ones who make me want to come to work.” She appreciates their smiles and constructive comments. They contribute to the family environment. La Banquise welcomes a diverse clientele. People from Montreal, Japan, and South Korea visit. This cultural diversity enriches the experience.
At the end of an evening, La Banquise is the perfect stop for poutine. The only question is: which one? So many choices await. La Banquise continues to be a culinary landmark.