French fries are remarkably versatile. They can clean up nicely alongside a perfectly cooked steak — make that frites — at a fancy French bistro. They can shoulder a mountain of chili and cheese at a sports bar. They can even moonlight as nachos, loaded with enough toppings to require a fork.
But poutine? That’s perhaps where fries reach their highest, most indulgent calling.
The beloved Canadian comfort food starts with a simple trio: Crispy fries, squeaky cheese curds with gravy ladled on top. Legend has it poutine was born in rural Quebec in the 1950s when a customer requested cheese curds tossed onto a batch of fries. Gravy soon followed, and a national treasure was born.
Today, poutine has evolved far beyond its humble roots. Chefs pile it high with smoked meats, braised beef, mushrooms and creative gravies while still honoring the dish’s gloriously indulgent spirit.
In Denver, you’ll find plenty of versions worth loosening your belt for. Here are a handful of metro-area spots serving satisfying poutine.
Le French
At Le French, poutine gets a French bistro treatment.
The restaurant has two poutine options on its lunch menus: Beef Bourguignon Poutine featuring crispy fries, cheese curds, and slow-braised beef bourguignon, plus a vegetarian option called the Rou Rou, topped with mushrooms, pearl onions and gluten-free gravy.
“As a casual chic French bistro, I wanted to have some fun celebrating our French heritage by elevating an approachable, comforting classic,” said chef and co-owner Aminata Dia.
The beef version marries comfort-food heavyweights: Rich French stew with the fries and cheese curds.
Guests certainly appreciate the mashup.
“It’s the ultimate comfort food crossover,” Dia said. “Guests love how the deep, classic French flavors of the braised beef seamlessly elevate a casual staple, making it sophisticated and incredibly satisfying.”
Meanwhile, the Rou Rou carries a personal touch. Dia named the vegetarian version after her niece, who, plot twist, would only eat vegetables as a child.
DTC Belleview Station location: 4901 S Newport St., Denver; 9&Co location: 846 Albion St., Denver;
The Burns Pub & Restaurant
The Burns Pub in Broomfield takes poutine seriously.
Its version showcases several labor-intensive house specialties, including hand-cut fries that undergo a 24-hour preparation process, bone-broth gravy that takes two days to make, and house-brined corned beef that’s cured for 14 days.
Owner Tracey Scalia says the poutine has become especially popular during lunch and among groups looking to share.
9009 Metro Airport Ave., Broomfield;
The Pig & The Sprout
Near Union Station, The Pig & The Sprout satisfies poutine cravings with fries topped with Wisconsin cheese curds, house-smoked brisket gravy, and diced green onions. The gravy is made simply from brisket drippings, butter, and flour. Want to make it brunch-worthy? Add a couple of eggs.
Owner Andy Ganick traces his love of poutine back to road trips to Montreal during his late teens and early 20s.
The restaurantap version is a hearty, smoky version that has remained a customer favorite for a decade.
“I would say decadence,” Ganick said when asked why guests keep ordering it. “It’s interesting, the top five best sellers on our menu are the same as they were 10 years ago.”
1900 Chestnut Pl., Denver;
City, O’ City
Vegetarians and vegans don’t have to sit this one out.
At City, O’ City, diners can order a poutine built on fries, gravy, chives, and their choice of cheese. Options include dairy mozzarella, vegan mozzarella, or cashew ricotta.
The result delivers all the comfort-food appeal of traditional poutine while remaining accessible to a wide range of diets.
206 E. 13th Ave., Denver;
Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern
The Badger State has long been synonymous with cheese curds, so it’s no surprise that Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern gets in on the poutine action. The tavern sticks to the tried-and-true formula: Fries and cheese curds smothered in traditional beef gravy and finished with fresh parsley. Sometimes, there’s no need to reinvent a classic.
1417 Market St., Denver;
