This New Auckland Food Truck Specialises in Loaded French-Canadian Poutine

It serves up a west coast twist on the comforting dish.
Stephen Heard
January 16, 2020

French-Canadian poutine has hit the streets of Auckland. The comforting dish which originated in Quebec, and includes the three staples of fries, gravy and cheese curd, has grown to the point where virtually every restaurant in the Great White North has its own version on the menu. Closer to home, a select few restaurants nail the addictive take on pimped hot chips.

Nathan Ryckman officially launched his Poutine Machine food truck concept this year. Hailing from the west coast of Canada, Nathan likes to think he is offering a "west coast twist," on the classic dish, bringing "something to the table both for first timers and die-hard, poutine-fanatic Montrealers."

So what does that involve? Nathan says that while the style of chips and gravy might be a little flexible, "without cheese curds you are not eating a poutine." He has a local cheesemaker producing the goods. In the fries department he prefers to leave the skin on and cook them twice for a soft-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside texture. Poutine Machine's gravy comes in two formats — a classic light and buttery Québécois poutine sauce and a vegan-friendly vegetable-based gravy. Keep an eye out for some bold special sauces and gravies.

To make it meal, diners can take their pick from classic toppings like double-smoked bacon with jalapeño, a trio of buffalo wings, or sautéed portobello and onions.

You can find Nathan and his Poutine Machine all over Auckland this year. It's current parked up at Huapai's Beer Spot, and is available to cater both private both small and large events.

Published on January 16, 2020 by Stephen Heard
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