Décarie Hot Dog is widely described as an iconic, nostalgia-filled Montreal staple for classic steamies, hot dogs, fries and poutine, a retro spot that many visitors feel is worth the trek for the experience and comfort food. Several reviews praise the poutine for its rich gravy, cheese curds and hearty fries, with some calling it the best or among the best in the city. However, other comments note decline in recent years, with poutine that is too dry or oversalted, sauces that changed, and items that are not as hot or fresh as before. The hot dogs and steamies often remain a highlight when served hot and dressed properly, but some visits report cold buns or underdressed orders. Cash only payments and a fast, no-frills service style contribute to the old-school atmosphere, which reviewers either love for its authenticity or view as a drawback. Overall, the place is described as a beloved, long-standing institution that inspires strong loyalty and nostalgia, while also provoking debates about consistency and whether it can recapture its former level.
Was better in my college years nothing really change exept they take interact now my last visit they serve me cold hot dogs & the poutine sauce still taske the same in 1999 i will go again. **update i when again & the serve me well & hot meal thanks**
I used to absolutely love Decarie Hot Dog. It was one of those go to spots I'd recommend without hesitation, especially for a classic poutine & hot dog. Unfortunately, over time, the quality has really started to drop, & my most recent visit was genuinely disappointing.
I ordered a poutine, & right away it was clear something was off. There simply wasn't enough sauce, which made the fries incredibly dry honestly, it was almost shocking. A good poutine should be rich, saucy, & comforting, but this one missed the mark completely. The fries themselves weren't great either; they lacked the crispness & freshness I used to expect from this place.
The hot dog was another letdown. It barely had the condiments I specifically asked for, which took away from the overall experience. When you order something so simple, the basics really matter, & unfortunately, those details were overlooked.
What makes this experience especially sad is that Decarie Hot Dog is such an iconic spot. It's the kind of place that holds a lot of nostalgia for many people, myself included. Seeing the quality drop this much is disappointing, because it used to be so consistently good.
I really hope this was just an off day & not the new normal. I'd love to see this place return to the level it once had, because it truly deserves its reputation. Right now, though, the experience didn't live up to what it used to be.
Even though I quite enjoyed the flavours of the fries, I feel like it was lacking a bit of crunch to them. The hot dog was a bit disappointing in size for around 2.50$ but it ended up being pretty good. I had it all dressed & I really enjoyed the overall flavour profile of it. The poutine was also quite interesting in flavours, it varied from the usual plain brown sauce which was enjoyable. The portion was pretty hefty for around 10$ they charge for it. The service was pretty unenthusiastic. Everyone seemed to be a bit grumpy & unhappy when I walked into the restaurant. The counter waitress even gave out a sigh before serving me. However, they were working quite efficiently. By the time I had paid for the food, the order was already almost completed. The last thing that bothered me during my visit was that their card machine was down. There were so many more items I wanted to try out but I couldn't because I only had a limited amount of cash on me.
Still my go to'casse croute' but something is not right with the poutine. I feel like they changed the way they made it a few years ago. Not as strong of a taste. Not as iconic as it was & I ain't the only one to say so. Everyone that I know who's had it in the past year say the same thing. Please go back to the old sauce!
This spot is goated as one of the OG greats. It has been around forever with a consistent flavour & atmosphere for as long as I can remember. This place may not look fancy, but the food is fantastic. Something about their poutine sauce you just cant find anywhere else.
It is cash only, they have an atm. There is parking around but sometimes it is paid, unless you get lucky. My trick is to park at the shopping plaza on the main road & walk over. You can sit down & eat if your solo, but I recommend take out & go sit somewhere outside & enjoy since it is busy & can get crowded. Not the most accessible space, so remember that. But totally worth visiting!
The food is always great, fresh & made right in front of you for a reasonable price.
They also feed a lot of the houseless & I think that is also so telling of how the resto has evolved to meet the needs of its demographic.
Fantastic spot! Make sure you go try.
It was the best of the best before It was bought sadly they changed the recipe for the poutine sauce. If anybody that works at Decarie hot dog sees this, please bring back the old sauce because this is the reason it was the best of the best restaurants for poutine in montreal
Bien aimer mon repas,
que j'ai appris à connaître,
avec mon menu composé de
une Frite (bon goût & texture tendre),
une Poutine (bonne vrai sauce & bien apprêté)
un Hot Dog (bonne consistance & bien rôtis)
& un Hamburger (bonne viande & belle cuisson),
pour me donner une idée globale des produits
du restaurant Décarie Hot Dogs...
& sa vaut le détour,
au point de partir de la rive-sud de Montréal
en transport collectif jusqu'à la station de Metro Côte-Vertu
& à un coin de rue de marche, etc.
