Thank goodness it’s fry-day

Fry-day came on a Thursday at The Chronicle for six lucky Best of the West taste testers who were not on construction holiday like many people last week, but rather strapped into their seats, prepared to take a roaring ride on the grease and grit rollercoaster, in search of the West Island’s top ranking fries. Unlike previous Best of the West dishes, where only a handful of deserving place serve up the deep-fried delacy in question, fries can be found on every street corner, flashing the pottasium laden smiles at you during your lunchtime craving. So this week's tastetesters had to be extremely particular when it came to ranking these golden glories on the basis of four criterias: freshness, greasiness (a tricky one), taste and texture. So that next time you suffer from a massive carbohydrate craving, you can equip yourself with the knowledge of which local restaurant actually delivers these greasyspoon goods as they should be.

The fifth place fry of yore was that of fast food staple, Pointe Claire's Lafleur Restaurant (10 Hymus Blvd.). Suprisingly, Lafleur did not score as high as they did in our recent Best Of The West hot dog rankings (they came in third place for their deliscious dogs). This time around they scored 112 out of 240 possible points. While they look and smelled just like the promised land of potato-ey goodness, some testers thought that they didn’t quite hit the mark.

BellPro’s (3051 Sources Blvd., Dollard des Ormeaux) took fourth place, with a valiant 152 points out of a possible 240.

Placing in third was the respectable taters from Ile Bizard’s Frite de L’Ile (302 Montée de L’Église) with 162 points out of 240. These fries received a thumbs up from the whole staff for their remarkable freshness. “Even though they’re pretty greasy, they’re none the less tasty and fresh” remarked Cités Nouvelles reporter Phillipe Boisvert.

The runner up for p.h.a.t-est fry (perfectly hot and tempting) was Marlowe’s Bar and Resto (981 St.John’s Blvd., Pointe Claire) whose fries were as delicate (julienne style) as they were delectable. “I liked the small size of the fries” said advertsing consultant Mireille Kulisz.

The fries that took home the fabulous title of this week’s Best of the West champion contender are Delibee’s Restaurant (24 Valois Bay Ave., Pointe Claire). These fries stole the show with their crisp,home fry feeling and tantalizing texture. The fries were obviously made with care, each shaped slightly different from the next to add to that oldtime “deli” feeling. And the deli vibe didn’t just stop there, “Great fries” said Chronicle editor Albert Kramberger “you also have to try their smoke meat and gravy.” So there you have it!

Send us your Suggestions

The upcoming nominations for our future Best of the West: Best place to catch the game are due today. During the month of August to early September we will also be rating The West Island’s Best Scenic View, Best Chicken Wings and Best Hot Beverage. So get your suggestions in to us in advance by contacting our news director and editor at marc.lalonde@transcontinental.ca, or editor@transcontinental.ca or contact our sister paper at info.citénouvelles@transcontinental.ca. You can also give us a call at 514-685-4690 ext. 243. Make sure to let our taste testers know exactly what you like about your nomination. If your submission catches our eye, it could be up for various prizes, including tickets to a Hudson Village Theatre show. We’re always glad to hear from you.

Restaurant Calzone, 3717 St. Charles Blvd. in Kirkland, 514-426-9000

Ristorante Fornello, 3360 Sources Blvd. in Dollard des Ormeaux, 514-421-1422

La Dolce Vita, 3776 St. Charles Blvd. in Kirkland, 514-695-3212

Brasserie Le Manoir, 600 St. John’s Blvd. in Pointe Claire, 514-695-2071

La Perle, 4230 St. John’s Blvd. in Dollard des Ormeaux, 514-624-6010

Cap St. Jacques, 20099 Gouin Blvd. West in Pierrefonds/Roxboro, 514-280-6871

La Roulotte, 10 Paiement St. in Ste. Geneviève, 514-626-2888

Delibee’s Restaurant, 24 Valois Bay Ave., Pointe Claire. 514-693-1163

Aug. 13

Aug. 20

Aug. 27

Sept. 3