The proud purveyors of poutine at US Fries (which we took a look at back in May) are set to open their doors this Saturday, and you, Tucson, are going to reap the benefits of the Canadian frozen north.
Earlier today, the local architecture gurus at FORS dropped this happy bit of knowledge via Facebook:
Intrigued, we at The Range reached out to US Fries owner Thomas Jones (no, not this one), who kindly confirmed to us that they are, indeed, opening their doors on Saturday—and moreover, they’re going to be offering free food for all of those who are unfamiliar with the joys of poutine, Canada’s unofficial national food. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., US Fries is going to be serving up meals from their opening day menu free to their customers.
Jones says that traditional poutine (fries, cheese curds and gravy), as well as Ham & Pineapple- and Beef Brisket-topped options, will be available to customers this weekend, with plans to roll out a larger menu in the coming weeks.
The marketing blitz doesn’t stop there, either: According to Jones, US Fries is also going to be rolling around University, Fourth Avenue and Congress Street in the tricked out limo seen below until Saturday. (While we can assume that it doesn’t run on gravy, let’s pretend it does anyway, for whimsy’s sake.)
The Fourth Avenue location, which will be open until 3 a.m. to take care of Tucson’s late-night crowds, looks to be the flagship for a potential US Fries empire that Jones hopes to expand to “every college town in the country” — and for the sake of this poutine-starved nation of ours, we hope the former Calgarian can make it happen.
This article appears in Sep 11-17, 2014.
It’s pretty gosh-darned amusing to see a Canadian marketing a throughly Canadian food item to Americans under the name “US Fries”. Would that be related to “Freedom Fries”? Is this a cynical marketing tactic? Is poutine Canadian? Is Stephen Harper a right-wing a-hole? All these questions have the same answer. Actually, in Canada poutine is heavily identified with Quebec, its province of origin. As any loyal Canuck knows, especially those from the lower socioeconomic orders, the true national dish of Canada is and always has been Kraft Dinner, salvation of that country’s poor (especially single male university students). Compared to KD (traditionally eaten straight from the saucepan with a spoon while reclining on the couch watching TV), poutine’s just a jumped-up johnny-come-lately.
Disgusting.
Hey! This is just what the US needs – more high fat food to cram in. Aren’t there enough people who do NOT need this type of food? Is this subsidized by the local cardiologists and EMS services?
Quebec’s provincial food, perhaps. Not nationally, eh.
Yes Bob and Karl T: it must really suck to be so little fun.
I think its INGENIUS!!! You guys are just jealous you didn’t think of it. When Americans walk into US fries( as they will because it says US) they have already accomplished a perfect marketing ploy. Now I’m Canadian and American and personally I’ve never been a fan of poutine but I can tell you this, thousands of people I know LOVE it. I tried it for the first time after a party night and DEVOURED my plate so I guess its pretty good. This is going to be huge. There are a lot of Americans in Canada doing business and Canadians in America its called FREE ENTERPRISE. Great job Mr. Jones!!! Great FREAKIN job!
This is a great idea and I think it will catch on. He is going after the right crowd, the starving student! I think the average student, tired of eating cardboard pizza, will like the gooey cheesy, crispy hot french fry combo covered in piping hot gravy. I had Poutine while in Canada and the specialty shops that focus on it make fresh fries and gravy and use real cheese curds, not like the fast food restaurants, so it is a very different dish. If 20 different “Hot Wing” chains can pop up all over the country one designer french fries shop should catch on. Bring on the Nay Sayers… makes the Poutine taste that much better!
that is so true…. almost 30 different wings and things places open up, this guy has a spin or a new idea, on the fast food industry. When done right Poutine is delicious. Also, lets not worry about the college kids eating properly, they are going to eat pizza and ramen and their high metabolism will burn through anything. If you can give them something new and throw some brisket or other protein in with it, the Poutine becomes a meal…. especially at 2am after a few cold ones! When are you opening one in Houston!
What’s the address on 4th Avenue?
Vive le Quebec Libre!! Just kidding we’re going to check out USFries NOW!
I’ll give this business one year before it goes bankrupt.
Poutine!!! Awesome – finally I can get my favourite snack. I hope there is a pizza Poutine! This is something so unique and delicious!!! There’s something about yummy gravy and gooey cheese that makes me smile huge. Amazing concept..I’m so thrilled for good (well made) comfort food to heal those cravings I and many get. Good on ya!
Happy dancing!
<3 <3 <3 10 thumbs up for sure!!
BRING IT ON! I just moved here and this is my google search du jour (yep, French): Tucson Poutine. Praise the Gods.
Interesting. I hope they port over more native cuisine. It is a pity that the first few reviews are by people who have most likely not, and probably will never, set foot inside the place.