This time of year, we welcome winter visitors from across the nation and even flying in from Calgary and Edmonton Canada on Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport’s seasonal WestJet flights. The East Valley is the perfect destination with amazing weather, signature events and a plethora of food and dining options for any palate. But what about our Canadian transplants and visitors? Where can they find delicious poutine in the East Valley?
We’ve compiled the top five spots to fulfill Canadian cravings just minutes from Cadence at Gateway in Mesa, Arizona. Whether you’re originally from the north or want to try something new, these eateries are serving up mouthwatering poutine in your own backyard.
Mesa
One of the East Valley’s hidden gems, this family restaurant on Baseline and Extension roads in Mesa will curb any cravings whether Canadian or American. Serving a mix of American classics alongside typical fare from Quebec, Poland, Germany and Scandinavia, Beaver Eats offers some of the tastiest poutine in Arizona.
Owner Hanna Kowalski serves Quebec Poutine , which is a plate of French fries, with cheese curds and hot beef gravy along with the other favorites such as mouth-watering Pierogis, Svenska Köttbullar (Swedish meatballs with cardamom cream sauce and lingonberry preserves) plus her award-winning Schnitzel Cordon Bleu (pork cutlet stuffed with ham and French Brie and topped with mushroom sauce). You can’t leave without tasting one of her famous deserts. Choose from custards, crepes, crumb cake and the famous Beaver Supreme (chocolate meringue layered with nuts, whipped cream and mandarin oranges.)
Named after Canada’s official animal (the beaver), the restaurant serves lunch Thursday through Sunday and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. The food is delicious, fresh, filling and very affordable.
$3-15
Gilbert
With two food trucks and a storefront in Gilbert, American Poutine is focused on bringing authentic poutine to Arizona. In addition to the traditional French fries and cheese curds topped with gravy, American Poutine offers a variety of toppings including bacon, pulled pork, buffalo chicken and more.
Their fries are hand cut from fresh russet potatoes and fried twice to ensure their crunch. Plus their cheddar cheese curds are sourced locally to ensure they’re “squeaky” fresh. The staff is friendly and location very clean.
Best to eat right away at the food truck or in their restaurant when the poutine is piping hot. Only high top tables were available for seating when we were there (may be difficult to dine in with babies).
$9-16
Mesa
Touting itself as Mesa’s only microbrew pub since 2014, The Beer Research Institute serves handcrafted beers and made-from-scratch food including delicious poutine.
The Beer Institute’s take on poutine is a Southwest version with house cut fries smothered in beef gravy, machaca pico and queso fresco. The result, delicious comfort food that pairs well with an impressive craft beer menu. Additionally, The Beer Institute offers an extensive food menu including tacos, burgers, salads, and entrées including customer favorite – the tasty Green Chili Mac and Cheese.
$7-13
Queen Creek
Queen Creek’s first brewpub, Old Ellsworth Brewing Company offers classic grub fare, a multiple of craft beers and a large variety of poutine!
Their poutine is a three steps process, but starts with fries of tater tots. First choose a sauce; cheese, spicy cheese, oxtail gravy or green chili sauce. Then choose a topping; cheese curds, onions, jalapeños, tomatoes, cotija cheese, bell peppers, or grilled mushrooms. Finally, top it off with board bacon, pork carnitas, short ribs, chorizo or chicken!
Old Ellsworth Brewing Company has great reviews since its recent opening and is a welcome addition to Queen Creek’s growing restaurant scene. The setting is casual with indoor and patio seating available.
$8-15
Mesa
Known for delicious sandwiches, coffee and burgers, Worth Takeaway on Main Street in Mesa also offers different brunch specials every weekend including delicious poutine! Their fresh-cut fries and mouthwatering gravy are served alongside other brunch favorites such as chicken and waffles, eggs benedict and stuffed French toast. They also run a special every Monday night called “Monday Night Supper” which is a dinner-focused entrée starting at 4 p.m. Follow their Facebook and Instagram accounts as the team loves to get creative and offers specials frequently.
$7-13
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*Photos provided by restaurants
