This diner-themed restaurant features old photographs of Celine Dionne, who apparently ate here a long time ago. The description of the Pat Poulet burger on the menu had my mouth watering so I ordered it for $10. My friend ordered poutine.
Our order shouldn't have taken long since there were only two other people there. True to the diner theme, music from the 50's was playing but it could hardly be heard over the shake machine's refrigeration unit, We had to shout across our table to hear each other, but at least it gave us a good laugh. Meanwhile the teenagers controlling the place were in the back yukking it up.
After about a half hour the shake machine's refrigeration unit wasn't so funny. A hand finally appeared at the pickup window and dropped a paper bag on the counter, calling my name. I retrieved the bag and immediately noticed that it weighed exactly what a paper bag of that size should weigh. Perhaps they forgot to put the burger in it?
I opened it up to reveal the tiniest sandwich I've ever seen! In between a tiny bun was a dry, deep-fried piece of chicken not much bigger than a McNugget. Tiny tomato slices, some lettuce, and a smear of mayonnaise finished things off. So adorable!
My friend's serving of poutine was also tiny, but at least not outright insulting. When we asked for napkins (hidden in the back) two tiny sheets were provided, not nearly enough to do the job. We were met with some resistance when more were requested.
I entertained various thoughts: does "burger" in French have a different meaning than in English? Is the exchange rate such that $10 Canadian is like $2 USD?
Sometimes a culinary experience is so ridiculous it more than makes up for the awfulness. That said I will always cherish this memory I have of the tiny sandwich I had at Pat Retro. read more