Dunns Famous Hits Vancouver

November 17, 2011

It’s been four years since my last Dunn’s Famous Montreal poutine fix. While I don’t claim to be an expert on the subject, I do know that the curds, fresh potatoes, and gravy can make or break this Quebecois delicacy. I was happy as a clam (or french fry) on Tuesday evening, when Dunns Famous opened their Western Canadian doors for a media preview. After all, they’ve been a Montreal institution since 1927. Luckily for Vancouver, they’ve decided to bring their love out West.

Dunns Famous Vancouver opened yesterday, just off of Robson and Seymour Streets. That heart-warming gravy on the poutine, along with the famous smoked meat and pickles, has hit our coast.

Dunns’ interior is warm with lots of red. Once you’ve seen the front room, venture off to the side, where a small upstairs lounge is the perfect spot for hosting a dinner party or small gathering.

The interior is decidedly more modern than its big brother, and more welcoming, with a large front glass window emblazoned with the Dunns logo.

As for food, I sampled the Quebecoise poutine, the classic no-frills version, one of six on the Dunns menu. While I imagine the normal menu portion (for $6.99) will be substantially larger, a couple of these little servings hit the spot. The poutine is made with hand cut Kennebec fries.

Montreal smoked meat was up next. Nicely stacked on soft crusty bread, I devoured the melt-in-your-mouth beef brisket, smoked for 17 days and steamed for three hours prior to serving.

The meat was lean, cooked medium, with a healthy dark pink colour.

I noticed the Heritage Angus beef burgers (done up as sliders for the media preview; the classic burger is featured on the menu for $10.99) make a few rounds, but by then I’d already found the dessert table and needed to save some room for those.

I tried two: the carrot cake, with its moist consistency and delicious cream cheese frosting, drizzled with caramel, and the chocolate cake, prepared with milk chocolate ganache, dark chocolate mousse and drizzled with dark chocolate. Both cakes are on the menu for $6.99.

As well, Russell Brewing and Desert Hills Winery were on hand to savour the treats with. I couldn’t resist checking out the dirty pickle martini. I didn’t sample it (I’d better mention here that I’m not a pickle fan), but luckily someone behind me at the bar ordered one, so I photographed it in all its glory!

Dunns features all day breakfasts, big desserts, and all that wonderful Montreal goodness right in the heart of downtown. I’ll need to return soon, to try their famous baked cheesecake.

Dunns is located at 827 Seymour Street, just south of Robson.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday, 10 am to midnight
Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 1 am
Sunday, 10 am to midnight