I have been ruminating on Hamas’ invasion of Israel this week, which makes me like most people I guess. I have a couple of posts almost finished, but not quite ready.

As I was leaving Parliament Hill today I noticed that the chip wagons were setting up on Sparks Street, downtown Ottawa’s pedestrian mall. Poutinefest, the celebration of a uniquely Canadian dish, runs from Thursday to Sunday.

In past years I have mentioned it after the fact, which makes it difficult for anyone who wants to make a fast trip to Ottawa to tickle their taste buds. So today some information.

I had thought of sharing photos from previous years, but I don’t seem to have posted about Poutinefest before. Which strikes me as strange since it is one of my favorite festivals. I must have been too busy eating.

Poutine, for the uninitiated, is a simple dish. French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. It’s origins are murky (or were at one point, I haven’t checked recently) but the dish emerged in Quebec in the late 1950s. It is so popular that fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King have it on the menu.

For four days poutine will be on offer from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (though only to seven on Sunday). That should be ample time to check out the offerings from te ten chip wagons and three restaurants taking part. But it won’t be enough time to sample each different variety.

I looked at one menu as I walked today. I thought the breakfast poutine, with eggs on top of the fries looked intriguing, as did the butter chicken one. Knowing me though, I will probably settle for one of several Thai options.

The types of gravy and the toppings come in dozens of options, maybe hundreds. There are probably even some without the curds, though I don’t think you could still call those poutine.

Potatoes are filling though. One helping a day is a lot for me. Then again, with four days to choose from, maybe I’ll go more than once.