Poutine — or french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy — is an iconic Québécois dish.

The version at the fast-casual restaurant Le Chic Shack consistently tops lists of the best poutine in Quebec City, Canada.

I tried both the classic version and one with mushrooms on a trip to Quebec City in January . Both are made with smashed potatoes instead of fries.

The classic version felt a little bland to me, but the mushroom one was absolutely worth coming back for.

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Poutine — french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy — is probably the most iconic French-Canadian dish you can eat.

Having originated in snack bars in rural Quebec in the late '50s, Quebec City is teeming with variations of the hearty meal, which can be found on almost every menu, from high-end restaurants to fast-food joints. Canadian McDonald's even has its own version.

In researching the best poutine in Quebec City, one restaurant kept popping up: Le Chic Shack, which I was surprised to find is actually a burger joint. Of course, I had to see for myself what the fuss was about.