Montreal is a city with no shortage of great restaurants. We constantly innovate and push the boundaries of what gourmet dining can mean. As an influential leader in Montreal’ extensive restaurant scene, Queue de Cheval will be reopening its doors in a few short weeks after a heavily lamented absence. Known for their unbeatable steak, five star service and luxurious atmosphere, Queue de Cheval is one of Montreal’s most iconic restaurants. Between now and the hotly anticipated opening, the folks behind the famous eatery have done something truly outstanding which is peaking interest around the city. They’ve opened a burger joint in the ally behind the restaurant and we were there last Friday night for a taste. Here’s the 4-1-1.
I introduced myself to a man named Max who manages the food counter. He turned me right around and yelled to the owner he’s here. The wide smile on Pete Morentzos face as he got up and came over to us was a telling sign that he was confident that we’d be blown away by his new pet project. He was very cordial and warm, saying hi to everyone who walked by (the man knows a lot of people and knows them by name). After chitchatting for a few minutes he yelled back to Max to take care of us and left us to go order some food. Paradise City by Guns and Roses was blaring from the speakers as we took a block of paper menus to choose what we wanted to eat. From his spot on the bench Pete called out to see if we wanted to change the music. I love GnR but no sooner had I said, no the music is great, did the low vibrating tones of Isaac Hayes fill the alleyway and adjacent parking lot. It was awesome.
After confiscating part of the wooden bench, I tore off the paper and wrapped my hands around the stacked burger and took my first bite. I’ve spoken before about my love of hamburgers and this was one of those wide-eyed, oh-my-god experiences that impressed me so much I didn’t even put it down (I kept saying this is so good with my mouth full. Impolite I know, but I didn’t care). The burger’s beef is from the same supplier that provides Queue de Cheval’s much talked about steaks. For a few minutes of burger bliss, I crouched near the bench where cheese and sauce dripped onto the paper. I finished off the burger went for the fries. They were also pretty good but it was the poutine my friend ordered that I coveted. The QDC Burger poutine is out of the world. Made with their golden fries and cheese curd nuggets, their sauce is a veal and wine reduction. It was savory, sticky and lightly sweet and I was going to finish that too until the plastic fork was pried from my hand.
Eating at QDC Burger was an experience all to itself. It was an authentic Montreal food experience that will have all sorts of people lining up to try it. On Fridays and Saturdays they are open until 5am and the weekdays they close up shop at midnight and they will have a year round schedule. I love the idea of a mixture of Montrealers gathering late into the night, starving for food and enjoying these amazing burgers. It is with the best of intentions that QDC Burger was born and with the name Queue de Cheval fronting this unique must-try burger joint, in the end, as always it will be about the food.
Photo credit: David Major-Lapierre