Editing Poutine (section)

===<span id="Regional variations"></span>Variations===
[[File:Poutine.JPG|thumb|Poutine made with thick beef gravy on french-fried potatoes with fresh cheese curds is a style commonly found outside Quebec.|alt=Poutine with a thicker beef gravy]]
[[File:Pierogi Poutine.jpg|thumb|Polish-inspired poutine with [[pierogi]] instead of French fries]]
[[File:Lobster poutine.jpg|thumb|Lobster poutine in [[Dartmouth, Nova Scotia]]]]

The texture, temperature and viscosity of poutine's ingredients differ and continuously change as the food is consumed, making it a dish of highly dynamic contrasts<!--, which creates a rich and memorable sensory experience-->. Strengthening these contrasts, superior poutines are identified by the crispiness of the fries, freshness of the curds, and a unifying gravy.<ref name="poutinedynamics" /> Even small variations in ingredients or preparation—the oil used for frying, the origin of the curds, or spices in the gravy—can result in a distinctly different experience of eating the poutine.<ref name="poutinedynamics" />

Some recipes eliminate the cheese, but most [[Québécois people|Québécois]] would call such a dish a {{lang|fr|frite sauce}} ({{langx|en|french fries with gravy}}), not poutine. When curds are unavailable, [[mozzarella]] cheese may be an acceptable alternative.<ref name="OliverTips" /> Shredded mozzarella is commonly used in Saskatchewan.<ref name="SharpGooey" /><!--unsourced Shawinigan and some other regions have ''patate-sauce-choux'' where shredded raw cabbage replaces cheese.{{cn}}--> Sweet potato may be used as a healthier alternative to french fries, adding more dietary fibre and vitamins.<ref name="MichaelPlayful"/>

Poutineries, like Montreal's La Banquise, which is credited for much of the innovation and popularization of poutine, have dozens of varieties of poutine on their menus.<ref name="SemenakBanquise" /> Many of these are based on the traditional recipe with an added meat topping such as sausage, chicken, [[bacon]], [[brisket]], or [[Montreal-style smoked meat]], with the gravy adjusted for balance.<ref name="leaderpost.com">{{cite news |title=Taste Regina: Prairie Poutine – Local chefs create Saskatchewan variations of Quebec-born dish |newspaper=[[The Leader-Post]] |first=CJ |last=Katz |date=18 June 2014 |url=http://www.leaderpost.com/life/Prairie+Poutine/9949266/story.html |access-date=7 December 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704032422/http://www.leaderpost.com/life/Prairie+Poutine/9949266/story.html |archive-date=4 July 2014 }}</ref> The [[Quebec City]]-based chain [[Chez Ashton]] is known for its poutine Galvaude (topped with chicken and green peas) and Dulton (with ground beef).<ref name="ChavichHaute"/> New variations are frequently introduced. Pulled pork was popular around 2013, followed a couple years later by Asian-fusion poutines.<ref name="HaldaneWeek"/>

Montreal's high immigrant population<ref name="SongParis"/> has led to many takes on the dish inspired by other cuisines, such as Haitian, Mexican, Portuguese,<ref name="HaldaneWeek"/> Indian, Japanese,<ref name="GollnerBest"/> Greek, Italian<ref name="LauAppropriating"/> and Lebanese.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 11 Best Under-the-Radar Poutine Spots in Montreal |url=https://www.thrillist.com/eat/montreal/best-under-the-radar-poutine-in-montreal |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=Thrillist |date=July 2015|archive-date=16 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216125316/https://www.thrillist.com/eat/montreal/best-under-the-radar-poutine-in-montreal |url-status=live }}</ref> These poutines may bear little resemblance to the traditional recipe. They replace some or all of the ingredients but maintain the dynamic contrasts of textures and temperatures with a crispy element, a dairy or dairy-like element, and a unifying sauce.<ref name="poutinedynamics" /> Many variations on the original recipe are popular, leading some to suggest that poutine has emerged as a new dish classification in its own right, as with [[sandwich]]es, [[dumpling]]s, [[soup]]s, and [[flatbread]]s.<ref name="poutinedynamics"/>

Poutineries will frequently offer limited-time promotional specials, such as a Thanksgiving poutine with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce.<ref name="WatsonRest"/> In anticipation of the legalization of cannabis in Canada, Montreal's Le Gras Dur served a "pot poutine" with a gravy that included hemp protein, hemp seeds and hemp oil, offered with a joint-like roll of turkey, wild mushrooms and arugula.<ref name="RudinPot" />

Gourmet poutine with three-pepper sauce, [[merguez|merguez sausage]], [[foie gras]]<ref>{{cite news |first=Christopher |last=Koentges |title=How To Make Poutine 2.0: Gravy Hacks, Cheese Curd Modification |date=4 October 2012 |url=http://veryethnic.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/how-to-make-poutine-2-0-gravy-hacks-cheese-curd-modification/ |work=Very Ethnic |access-date=5 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901193836/http://veryethnic.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/how-to-make-poutine-2-0-gravy-hacks-cheese-curd-modification/ |archive-date=1 September 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> or [[caviar]] and [[truffle]] can be found. This is a trend that began in the 1990s and is credited to David McMillan of Montreal's [[Joe Beef (restaurant)|Joe Beef]] and Globe restaurants.<ref name="HarrisonRise"/><ref name="KraussPride"/> Savoury sauces like Moroccan harissa, lobster sauce, and red-wine veal ''[[au jus|jus]]'' have been used to complement artisanal cheeses and rich ingredients.<ref name="ChavichHaute"/>

Chains such as [[Smoke's Poutinerie]],<ref name="CNWSmoke"/><!--press release, primary source--> [[New York Fries]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130704-905739.html|title=New York Fries Announces Expansion into Turkey|last=Ouellette|first=Jennifer|date=4 July 2013|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=5 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185715/http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130704-905739.html|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> McDonald's,<ref name="DayStand"/><ref name="HenryMcDonald"/> [[Wendy's]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://menu.wendys.com/en_CA/product/poutine/|title=Poutine Fries To Go Near You|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206074619/https://menu.wendys.com/en_CA/product/poutine/|archive-date=6 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[A&W (Canada)|A&W]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.aw.ca/en/our-menu/sides/poutine|title=Poutine|publisher=[[A&W (Canada)|A&W Trade Marks]]|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206135817/https://web.aw.ca/en/our-menu/sides/poutine|archive-date=6 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[KFC]],<ref name="TaylorKFC" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kfc.ca/menu/Menu.aspx?menu=Sides|title=Signature Sides|publisher=KFC|access-date=5 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805020141/http://www.kfc.ca/menu/Menu.aspx?menu=Sides|archive-date=5 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Burger King,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burgerking.ca/en/1158/index.php?buildid=42|title=Our menu—Poutine|publisher=[[Burger King]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070406065842/http://www.burgerking.ca/en/1158/index.php?buildid=42|archive-date=6 April 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=19 May 2008}}</ref><ref name="LauxUltimate"/> Harvey's,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://harveys.ca/eng/sides.php|title=Menu|publisher=[[Harvey's]]|access-date=15 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301205235/http://harveys.ca/eng/sides.php|archive-date=1 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="HenryMcDonald"/> [[Mary Brown's]],<ref name="TaylorMary"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://marybrowns.com/ontario-menu|title=Ontario Menu|website=Mary Brown's Famous Chicken & Taters|access-date=9 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719042804/https://marybrowns.com/ontario-menu|archive-date=19 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Arby's]],<ref name="RoseArby" /> and [[Wahlburgers]] restaurants also sell versions of poutine in Quebec and the rest of Canada (although not always country-wide).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://life.nationalpost.com/2013/12/03/mcdonalds-poutine-is-back-on-menus-across-canada-garnering-cheers-disbelief-from-lovers-of-the-quebec-dish/|title=Vive le McPoutine libre: McDonald's re-introduces fries, gravy and cheese curds dish on menus across Canada &#124; National Post|date=3 December 2013|publisher=NationalPost.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131203221450/http://life.nationalpost.com/2013/12/03/mcdonalds-poutine-is-back-on-menus-across-canada-garnering-cheers-disbelief-from-lovers-of-the-quebec-dish/|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=15 June 2014}}</ref> [[Tim Hortons]] began selling poutine in 2018.<ref name="KeithHortons" /> Fast-food combination meals in Canada often have the options to have french fries "poutinized" by adding cheese curds and gravy, or substituting a poutine for a fries side.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canadianbusiness.com/blogs-and-comment/is-mcdonalds-new-poutine-any-good-peter-nowak-investigates/|title=Is McDonald's new poutine any good? Peter Nowak investigates|website=canadianbusiness.com|date=5 December 2013 |access-date=1 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701072512/https://www.canadianbusiness.com/blogs-and-comment/is-mcdonalds-new-poutine-any-good-peter-nowak-investigates/|archive-date=1 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>