Swiss Chalet Poutine/RIP Mt. Pleasant Eglinton Location

[food face]

This post is a double whammy. I fist want to go on why I second that Swiss Chalet Poutine is the tastiest outside of Quebec/Ottawa and also want to pay tribute to the best Swiss Chalet Location in the world that is closing down at the end of the month.

SWISS CHALET POUTINE IS INCREDIBLE. I am seconding this from a seasoned resource. I first found out about the wonder of Swiss Chalet Poutine from the good people at FriesCurdsGravyFriesCurdsGravy. I have had poutine and realize that Toronto can’t ever get it 100% right as we don’t have access to cheap and crazy fresh curds. They were not lying. It really is amazing. The fries may not be fresh cut but do I don’t feel I have to convince anyone of how top notch the fries are at Swiss Chalet. So that’s in the bag. The poutine comes with amazing gravy. It isn’t the chicken sauce. It’s got the right color and consistency and flavour. Chickeny goodness! Toronto Poutineries just can’t seem to get poutine or the gravy just right. This isn’t fancied up with Sherry, wine or other overpowering herbs (Smokes take note). It’s not beef gravy that is bitter and gloppy. It’s smooth and is seasoned just right. I also added chicken sauce on top and mixed it into their poutine gravy for extra goodness. Now let’s get into the curds. Amazingly fresh and abundant curds. They even had some unexpected squeak. Not much but some. What was good about them was that they where mild and kept their form well. They got soft but not gooey. Plus all of this can either be eaten independently or with forkfuls or chicken or ribs! Where have you been Swiss Chalet Poutine all my life....where? It is $1.99 on top of the price of an entree. I asked for no bun or coleslaw as that stuff is useless to me so the plate was LOADED with poutine. What’s even better is that if any of it is not to my liking, they are really good about changing it for me. The fries the first time where not hot enough. No problem! Three minutes later a whole new steaming plate of piping hot poutine arrived.

Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton Swiss Chalet is Closing at the End of March 2010
Now onto some depressing news. The Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton Swiss Chalet is closing. On so many levels this was by far the most superior Swiss Chalet. I think it has something to do with the lease and the building but the staff wasn’t quite sure or exposing the details. There will not be another location in the area opening up. The closest one will be at St. Clair and Yonge

The Staff- The servers were seasoned veterans. Many of the staff had been at that location for 10 years plus. Some of them practically senior citizens. Kind and cheerful and all round wonderful service. The orders came fast and correct every time. Our waitress last night said she has been there for 12 years.

The Food- Always huge portions and comes hot. The chicken always juicy and lots of fries.

The Ambiance- This was the last of the Swissy’s that still actually looks like a Chalet and not a depressing Seniors Home in Florida. Wood beams and all. There is nostalgia there. Original maroon and peach bathroom too. I’m about to cry! It’s the Swiss chalet I knew as a Child. It’s like when a chain was still “good” and had some integrity.....this location was the last to hold on to that somehow?

I have been going there since I was in diapers. Later, eating in the stairwell above the take out area with my girlfriends on our lunch hour when we all went to Northern Secondary. Now as an adult I have to say goodbye. A lesson in non-attachment. Go there while you still can, you won’t be disappointed.

For all you poutine enthusiasts, check out this site. Wonderful hilarious Blog:

http://curdsade.wordpress.com/

[Yongeman]

As of yesterday, this location is closed.

[magic]

End of an era as far as I'm concerened. Thanks for the news.

[food face]

Thanks for the sad news. Did you walk by? Was there a sign up?

[Yongeman]

Yeah, I live just around the corner. I walked over on Monday, thinking that I'd finally get to try the poutine that you recommended. Too late! There were signs in the window that they were closing at the end of March and the front door was locked (at 11:45 am). When I looked into the front door, I actually saw some people back at the take-out counter. I decided to walk around to the back and they were packing up dishes etc.

[food face]

Awww. Well that's too bad your outing was didn't have a cheese curd ending. Have to risk another location's poutine.

[graydyn]

I'm about 90% sure that those fries are indeed fresh cut.

[girlstar]

Oh no :( I liked that location because it was the traditional old school design. Sad to hear it's closing :(

[Olivia]

Awesome, thanks; had no idea they did poutine. I love poutine and find myself eating SC more often than I'd like these days--will be a nice change.

[food face]

The pleasure's all my guys! Glad to hear you guys are enjoying the Swissy poutine too. Sarah Cat, sorry to hear about your spongy fries...bummer. Yea, gravy on the side next time!

[Sarah Cat]

I ordered Swiss Chalet poutine for takeout ... I wouldn't recommend it unless you ask for the gravy on the side! I don't know what I was thinking. The fries were spongy, having sat in gravy for who knows how long. The curds were yummy and plentiful and the gravy was tasty, and I already know I like those fries, so I'll try again for sure. They should always put the gravy on the side for delivery!

[klf]

Thanks for the heads-up about this. Went today for the first time - the restaurant space is HUGE! With the rent in this area being astronomical, I wouldn't be surprised if this is why they were leaving.

Had the quarter chicken with poutine and also got in on the AYCE fries promotion- everything was delicious and comforting...I felt like I was 10 years old. I'm from Ottawa and have also been underwhelmed with the poutine in TO, but I thought the Chalet poutine was quite good. As in the previous review, there were no overpowering spices in the gravy (sidenote: Smokes mushroom gravy is better than their beef/chicken traditional gravy - there's no prominent thyme/rosemary/whatever). The AYCE fries platter was huge - ended up sharing it since I couldn't finish the whole thing. Portions are definitely bigger at this location vs. the other ones I've been to downtown (i.e. Yonge St, the one near PMH).

[magic]

That is REALLY sad news about the Mt. Pleasant/Eglinton location. I've been going there for over 30 years and have found it to be the best of any Swiss Chalet location I've gone to in terms of food, service, and atmosphere. That is indeed quite crappy news.

I wish they would stay open as I personally have such great memories of it and think of it as an entrenched part of that neighbourhood. Thanks for the info. I will have to make one last visit before it closes. :(

[Brain of J]

Wow, I'm saddened to hear this. I ate my share of meals there. Always enjoyed the food and service. What's happening with the spot?

[magic]

I have no idea. Not sure if food face knows....

[food face]

Time will tell. I'm not sure what's going to happen to the property. Maybe a condo?

[Sarah Cat]

I'm from Ottawa and have been consistently disappointed with T-dot poutine! I've lived here for ten years and only New York Fries seems to understand the concept. Why on earth does everyone else insist on grating orange cheddar on fries and calling it poutine? Repulsive.

I will certainly try Swiss Chalet Poutine. Cannot wait! Thank you!