So, I was minding my own business the other day on YouTube when the Food Insider popped up in my recommendations with a video about the best poutine in Montreal. I was about to skip the video, but then I thought to myself. Hmm, those look like fries. Anyway, within moments I just new I had to have this mixture of fries, gravy, and cheese curds. But since travel isn't allowed due to corona, I hoped somewhere local made this dish. Fortunately, Brew Belly does, and they are only about 15 minutes away. The next nearest place (per Yelp) is over 30 miles from me here in Gaithersburg.
I was happy to find this place for a few reasons. In addition to being able to try the poutine, they had beer and wine, which already made them a winner in my book, but then I saw that their menu had a real Philly style cheesesteak (or steak and cheese if you're one of those people) made with cheese whiz-like sauce! I have been longing for one for a few weeks, and it looked like this spot was going to be able to knock a few things off my list of wants.
The location has it's own parking lot with lots of spaces event though 3 or 4 of them are dedicated to pick-up orders. Masks and social distancing were in play at the location. When I stepped in, besides the employees, there was only one person inside at noon on a Sunday. Even when a few customers came in, there was more than enough room to keep a safe distance.
The employees (I feel weird not knowing their names) were welcoming and two of them said hello when I entered. I shared with them my story of YouTube poutine, and they chuckled with me. I asked for a recommendation and they recommended to go all out and get the Brew Belly version of poutine that came with gravy, cheese curds, and cheese sauce. I got the Whiz-wit cheesesteak, and then I headed over to get a coke, and some beer to wash it down with.
When I got to the beer section, I knew I was in trouble. This place had classy beers, so I was out of my league. I won't share all of the types of beer I'm used to, but let's just say I look for Mike's Harder Lemonade first. I'd decided to go with a vodka soda (watermelon) and then I saw come drinks in to-go containers that appeared to be cocktails. I practically ran to the counter to confirm. Yup, cocktails. I was informed that one container was about 4 drinks. Once they confirmed the container was $15, I was sold.
Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, for me, eating there was not a possibility, and it was rainy so eating outdoors wasn't an option either. Fortunately, the food held up for my drive back to Gaithersburg. When I got home, the food was still warm. The poutine was very good. I didn't know what to expect, but I could describe it as kind of being like soft french fries in gravy, and you can't really go wrong with potatoes and gravy.
Although some people will be upset and judge my character, I did not get fried onions on my cheesesteak, but I did add lettuce, tomato, and mayo. I avoided adding ketchup because I knew I'd be writing this review, and some people are very judgemental about adding ketchup to a cheesesteak...even when they aren't paying for it. Nobody wants those unnecessary problems.
Good experience. Good customer service. Good cocktail. I went with the berry lemonade, but they also had margaritas, orange crush (I think that was what it was called), and as proof of fanciness, they had several with cucumber and/or hibiscus. I recommend you check it out. read more