Weinerie serving up more than just potatoes

Smoke’s Poutine Imagery | Photo Courtesy: Smoke’s Poutinerie

Popular Canadian poutine franchise Smoke’s has opened up shop at George Brown. Smokes Poutinerie and Weinerie began operations on September 8 at the St. James campus.

The company is hoping to reach its target audience—youth—through its new college and university campus locations, said Smoke’s founder and chief executive officer Ryan Smolkin.

Geetha Ramasamy, general manager of Chartwells at George Brown College, spoke with The Dialog about her excitement to bring the brand to the campus.

“Smoke’s Poutinerie is inventing and leading the quick-serve poutine industry,” she said. “The goal is to bring this authentic, quality Canadian classic dish to our campus in their own original and unique way.”

Smoke’s Poutinerie has added to the traditional notion of poutine, giving it a different form and shape with over 30 core poutine menu items to choose from. You also have the option of creating your own poutine.

All of Smoke’s poutine dishes include hand-cut yellow-flesh fries, seasoning, Quebec cheese curds and homemade gravy with toppings to serve a variety of taste buds.

And Smoke’s will be serving food beyond just the traditional fries, cheese curds and gravy. “We are also introducing a Weinerie menu for the first time in any campus setting,” noted Ramasamy.

Smoke’s Poutinerie Primary Logo | Photo Courtesy: Smoke’s Poutinerie

Smolkin stressed the uniqueness of his brand. “With the word ‘Poutinerie’ we have created a whole new food category,” he said.

“Poutine has been in existence for 60 to 70 years, but we have recreated the entire category by bringing excitement to the traditional-style poutine.”

Smolkin has given a new definition to junk food. “Junk is the luxury of food. It is poutine.”

He also thanked George Brown College for their love and for making the effort to bring them to campus.