From left: Reporters Logan Lehmann, Susan McNeil, Nick Nielsen and Nigel Maxwell tested out a few of the poutine options for this year's PA Poutine Fest fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters. (Image Credit: paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

Unofficial newsroom poll

paNOW does PA Poutine Fest

Mar 17, 2026 | 1:42 PM

Reporters with paNOW traded notebooks for napkins Tuesday as they took on a delicious assignment: sampling a few entries in this year’s P.A. Poutine Fest.

Armed with forks and a healthy appetite, the newsroom staff managed to try about half of the creative poutines featured in the annual event. (Don’t worry – we fully intend to try all of them before the week is done!)

From dill pickle creations to pulled pork and Korean-inspired dishes, here are the favourite bites of each reporter so far:

Logan Lehmann said the Beef Stroganoff Poutine at Venice House stood out immediately.

“It’s like comfort food on top of comfort food,” Lehmann said. “You get the rich stroganoff flavour mixed with the fries and cheese curds, and somehow it all works perfectly.”

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Reporter Nigel Maxwell said his favourite so far has been the Chicken Bacon Ranch Poutine from Boston Pizza Prince Albert. (Image Credit: Submitted photo)

For Nigel Maxwell, the choice was clear at Boston Pizza Prince Albert.

“Chicken, bacon and ranch is already a winning combo,” Maxwell said. “Put it on top of a pile of fries with gravy and cheese curds and it’s basically a full meal in every bite.”

Nick Nielsen was impressed by the bold flavours of the Korean Spicy Chicken Poutine from Lulu’s Kitchen.

“It’s got just the right kick,” Nielsen said. “The spice, the crunch and the savoury gravy all balance out. It’s definitely one you remember.”

The same dish also earned the top spot for Teena Monteleone, who said the flavour profile makes it unique among the festival entries.

“It’s not your typical poutine,” Monteleone said. “The Korean-style sauce adds a sweet heat that makes it completely different from the classic versions.”

Meanwhile, Susan McNeil opted for a hearty classic with the Country Chicken Poutine at Humpty’s Big Plate Diner.

“It’s the kind of poutine that feels like a Prairie comfort dish,” McNeil said. “Crispy chicken, creamy gravy and fries — it’s simple but really satisfying.”

The festival, organized by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince Albert, runs until Sunday, March 22 and invites local restaurants to compete for ‘Gravy Bowl’ top honours while supporting youth mentoring programs. For every poutine sold, $4 goes directly toward helping match young people with mentors in the community.

Other poutines on the festival list include:

• MR MIKES SteakhouseCasual–  Le Boeuf Poutine
• Northern Lights Casino–  Indian Taco Poutine 
• Original Joe’s– The Loaded Shepherd’s Stack Poutine
• Rock & Iron Restaurant-  Pizza Poutine
• Shananigan’s Bistro Coffee and Dessert Bar –  Dill Pickle Chicken Poutine
• The Canadian Brewhouse-  Spicy Dill Pickle Poutine

The verdict on the top poutine profile? Yet to be determined, since the newsroom still has a few more to try.

It’s a tough assignment, but someone had to do it.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com