Comprehensive Guide to the Best Poutine in San Francisco

6. Pig & Pie: $6

The Dapper Diner

Poutine at Pig & Pie would be better if the ingredients were better distributed.

True to the restaurant's name, Pig & Pie uses a pork based sausage gravy. It's not short on flavor, with chunky bits of spicy sausage throughout, making it reminiscent of a tomato-less meat sauce, although it finds itself more on the thin side, but not watery. The fries are uneven, some more fried than others, and some even overcooked. The little cubes of mozzarella curds are sprinkled around, the ones finding themselves under the fries being perfectly melted, but those landing on top retaining their firm and solid texture.

5. Jasper's Corner Tap & Kitchen: $9

The Dapper Diner

Poutine at Jasper's Corner Tap is a choose-your-own-adventure.

Jasper's attacks poutine in an interesting way: by giving you choices. Offered on their "Fries Menu," diners can choose between thin and thick cut, and sweet potato fries. The choose-your-own-poutine adventure doesn't end there, as you can season the fries with sea salt; smoked paprika; garlic, salt, and pepper; or truffle, parmesan, and herb. Lastly, there are the actual poutine options of topping the fries with brown gravy with mushroom, smoked cheese fondue, or a "chef's choice" which is similar to a salsa topping. Trying to stay as close to the traditional poutine as possible, I went with the thin fries seasoned with sea salt and topped with brown gravy and mushrooms. The fries were crisp and nicely fried and the salty beef gravy was a nice thickness, although it would have been better served without the thin slices of mushroom which created an uneven pop of saltiness and chewiness. Additionally, it could have used more gravy. The mozzarella curds were scarce and needed a little more heat from the fries, gravy, or even a broiler to soften.

4. Sauce on Belden Place: $8

The Dapper Diner

Poutine is served the traditional way at Sauce on Belden

Nestled on the traditionally French alleyway, this is probably the closest to the simple, traditional poutine you can find in San Francisco. Served with chicken based gravy, it's peppery, salty, and the right thickness to cover the fries and soak through the pile of fries. The mild spicy heat of the gravy is a welcome addition in this season's cooler weather. Unfortunately, the fries aren't very crispy which makes their battle of sogginess against the gravy a Sisyphean task. Sauce does garner bonus points by layering some of the mozzarella curds between the warm French fries while placing another layer on top, because at the end of a long day, having gooey cheese covering as many fries as possible can be a very good thing.