This article is crossposted from donorthmag.com
By Russia Boles
The North Country and the Canadian province of Québec have shared a border for more than two centuries, and for just as long, Québecers have had their poutine and New Yorkers their michigans.
The Michigan
The michigan (yes, this is the formal spelling), a North Country staple, was introduced to the area by a woman named Eula Otis. Originally from Detroit, she and her husband discovered their customers couldn’t get enough of the meat sauce-slathered dog at the couple’s food stand. She shared her recipe with Clare Warne who ran the now famous Clare and Carl’s Hot Dog Stand.
Québecers have adapted their own version of the michigan. It’s usually served with onions, spaghetti sauce and a nice portion of poutine.
While Clare and Carl’s is one of the original hot dog stands in the North Country, these days, this is not the only place to enjoy a michigan in Clinton County.
Clare & Carl’s
4729 U.S. Route 9, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Gus’ Red Hots
5 Commodore Thomas MacDonough Highway, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Michigans Plus
313 Cornelia St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Ronnie’s Michigan Stand
1265 New York Route 3, Morrisonville, NY 12901
McSweeney’s Red Hots
600 New York Route 3, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Poutine
Canadians know the heavenly combination of traditional poutine: crispy french fries, hot gravy and endless cheese curds.
It’s a Canadian staple, but found in abundance on both sides of the border.
New Yorkers have added their own twist to the dish. Canadian poutine has chunks of squeaky cheese curds, while American poutine is usually made with heaps of gooey white shredded cheese.
Poutine has been on the rise since the 1950s and is one of Canada’s most well-known dishes. Restaurants continually experiment with the recipe, creating new variations of the classic dish.
To get poutine north of the border, stop at:
La Banquise
994 Rue Rachel E, Montréal
Greenspot
3041 Notre-Dame Rue O, Montréal
Poutineville
1365 Ontario St. Est, Montréal
Restaurant Paulo & Suzzane
5501 Boul Gouin O, Montréal
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