Smoke’s Poutinerie

I’ve been here a few times and it’s always great. Love the customer service, really nice and they are patients for new comers. Brought family from WA to try it out. Carlos’s is the person who help us out. Way to go guys!

The Bulgoger Poutine is

I would’ve never thought to put bulgogi on top of fries, gravy and cheese and create such a great Korean fusion Poutine. The meal size box may look small but it’s actually packed with tons of food. It’s definitely something that you will want to share with someone else.
I love cheesy lines but not so much super cheesy food so I thought it was going to be overly cheesy but it wasn’t! It was just perfect for my taste. The only thing that was lacking was that the kimchi wasn’t spicy enough. Besides that I thought this was pretty good.
There’s a huge variety of different styles of Poutine for everyone so I’m sure anyone who comes will find something that suits their palate.
It’s also open til 4:00 AM so if you ever have any drunchies or munchies this will be your go to place!

Oh man, how I love this place. First thing to note, I eat here sober, but starving (as people have said it’s only good «drunk food»). It looks like a tiny box but it’s filled with so many fries, gravy, and toppings that sometimes I can’t even finish it. My favorite is the country gravy with chicken, bacon, mushrooms, peas, and their delicious cheese and gravy. The owner, Danny, is really nice as well. I dream of this place often. like right now…

So as a drunk food: 5 stars — greasy huge quantities.
Otherwise, the execution was just off on all the flavors and the fries themselves just aren’t all that good. I know this place isn’t a serious restaurant, but when you are really only serving french fires with stuff on top, you would think the fries would be a highlight. Meh.

Best type of food to eat when you’re a drunky monkey.
My boyfriend and I came here after having shots of tequila and a fish bowl at Kip’s, so we had a huge appetite.
— HANGOVER SPECIAL* POUTINE (meal size — $ 8.99): first off, I want to say that I am unsure about the name; I was drunk when I ordered this, so this name comes from a foggy memory. Crap! Anyways, this Poutine dish was delicious. It had eggs, bacon, and maple syrup from what I remember. I remember thinking how great this dish was because I absolutely love breakfast, so if you’re a breakfast-​lover, you should definitely order this dish.
— CHICKEN FAJITA POUTINE (meal size — $ 8.99): my boyfriend devoured this. At first, it didn’t look appetizing to me whatsoever. However, it actually tasted delicious. The chicken was not dry, and the sauce was the perfect pairing.
Overall, I’ve been here before when I was sober and thought this place was just okay because I had really high hopes for it. However, the drunk version of me found these two dishes delicious, and it makes me want to go back for more.

«Clogging arteries since 2008» FOR FURE! It’s not a joke. And I can see the draw — when you’re drunk and wandering the streets of Berkeley at 2AM, why NOT get a good-​sized box of fries with gravy and toppings-​overload? My inner drunk fat person is bursting with joy at the thought.
But if you choose to go for dinner when you’re not drunk, you will wonder why you did this to yourself. It’s just SO fat, and I felt fat for hours after sharing two boxes with my boyfriend — I’m glad he was there to stop me from trying 3 boxes. Also, the toppings are TOPPINGS — so they’re conveniently on the top of your fries, which means halfway through your box, you’ll realize you only have soggy fries left with minimal toppings and that’s disappointing…
So it’s not bad like bad food quality — but it’s not good enough that I’d travel from SF to try this again, especially because there are so many options around that area in Berkeley.

$ 10 for some fries? Yup, that’s what I thought. But in the end, it was worth it. I came here on a weekend, hoping to snack around places in Berkeley and Smoke’s Poutinerie was the first stop. But after sharing with one other person a meal-​size portion of the Bulgoger, my stomach was telling me that it was content. The meal-​size is definitely way more than enough for one person.
The fries themselves were good. The bulgogi was good. I didn’t particularly care for the kimchi part actually. It wasn’t spicy enough and I didn’t like how it added a cold element to the fries, but that’s just me. I can totally imagine college kids pouring in here after their late night festivities, so I appreciate their late night open hours.
Docking a star because they took a while to make the fries. There was only one other order ahead of me, but I think it took like 10 min before I got my order.

So, I will admit. My first visit here was underwhelming. I ordered a snack size traditional poutine and it was meh, to say the least. I wasn’t feeling it. But then a month or so later, I had a mad craving for some poutine and no where else to go… Plus, it was late, and Smoke’s is open until 4am. I decided to give it another shot.
OMG, well now I’m in love! I tried the triple pork poutine (bacon, pulled pork and Italian sausage, plus the standard cheese curds and gravy) and demolished the whole box. I also tried a snack sized traditional and it was 100x better than the first time I tried it. Perhaps I caught em on a better day?
You can order online via Unilocal and it’ll be ready when you get there!

Most people like fries, gravy, and cheese, and I am no exception. I’m not gonna lie, this place is pretty good when it comes to offering super late night drunchies, but the food is really way too heavy and greasy for me. Their slogan «clogging arteries since…» cannot be any more fitting. The first few bites are nothing short of heavenly, but after the 8^th or 9^th bite, I start to feel groggy and immobile, and I basically revert to a blob.
I usually order the classic poutine which consists of gravy, cheese, and fries. I prefer when the cheese is evenly spread and melted, but sometimes, the cheese blocks are fully intact and cold which makes it hard to eat. The gravy tastes great, very hearty and not too salty. It makes the fries soggy, which I like. I mean, slathering any kind of sauce on fries makes it soggy, so if you don’t like soggy fries, maybe this isn’t the dish for you. Overall, the classic tastes great but the bottom half of the container usually doesn’t have any sauce or toppings, which makes it a little bland.
I’ve also tried the one with various meats, including sausage and bacon. It was yummy but again, the toppings weren’t very evenly distributed.
The décor and containers are all very cute and eye-​catching. I like that they have posted news articles of headlines of themselves in the store. It’s interesting to read when you’re waiting for your order. Whenever I do go to Smoke’s for a late night grub, I tend to sit at the bar facing outside, so I can people watch.
Overall, this place has solid food, but it’s definitely not something you can eat every day. I consider this gourmet snack food and I think it’s a little pricey. Additionally, I wish the toppings were more evenly distributed and the cheese would be more melty and hot.

SP takes poutine to a whole new level. My friend and I visited on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn’t crowded at all. As you enter, you are not only greeted by the lovely smell of gravy and fries, but really friendly staff members.
We read reviews that the meal size wasn’t enough for one, but that is not the truth! The meal size, in my opinion, would be perfect for two. My only complaint is that you can’t get the more creative poutines in a snack size. She got the kimchi and bulgogi; I got the original.
Everything from the fries to the toppings were great. We both appreciated how nicely the gravy was executed. It was flavorful and not overly salty. I was most excited about the cheese curds and that’s the main reason I will come back. Squeaky, salty, chewy, and creamy altogether, the cheese curds did not disappoint!

What fun!?! I was fortunate enough to go to one of the YEE here and it was fantastic. First, the concept is awesome. Its Canadian and pronounced: \pü-​tēn\
and delicious. Now that you have the basics, second, the place is popping. I walked in with my +1, ordered the chowder poutine and got a free drink just for checking in on Unilocal!Yay. I noticed that the cheesy, clammy, bacon-​ney, french fry full meal (snack if you eat ginormous amounts of food) came out pretty quickly. Within minutes I had my poutine, which was surprising because it was pretty busy there. Anyway, the meal is enough to eat as a meal — my opinion, of course. Its hearty and filling. It was really tasty, even if you get the traditional poutine — its packed with a sauce and its nice and moist. Next, you can eat at the establishment or you can take it to go, the poutine comes in a cardboard box. And as for drinks, they serve Jones soda. Yumm, since they are healthier and delicious. Finally, the owner was there and he was incredibly generous and fun loving. If you go, don’t forget to check out their wall of articles and mentions. Anyway, totally a fan and grateful for business owners who take value in getting to know their patrons and making them happy!

Smokes Poutinerie is a poutine shop in Berkeley, where the Tower Records used to be on Durant avenue. For those that don’t know, Poutine is a Canadian dish that has cheese curds and gravy over fries. These guys are taking poutine to a whole another level, they offer up to a dozen different combinations ranging from Korean to Mexican. You can customize whatever toppings you like on your poutine.
Danny, the owner, and Carlos the store manager are two top-​notch guys running the place. The food is amazing, the seasoning is all on point, and the staff treat you like your family! If you’re ever near Berkeley near campus, or just want to sober up a little after a few beers, stop by Smoke’s Poutinerie. You will not be disappointed, it’s like a little slice of heaven sprinkled on top of some fries!

Poutine goodness in Berkely.
Located a block away form the UC Berkeley campus, you’ll find this small joint that sells a plethora of Poutine concoctions. The restaurant is wrapped in a red and black plaid pattern with matching takeout boxes. There isn’t a lot of room inside, but there are a few seats outside as well.
The staff are all really nice. They are all really helpful in making sure that get to build the order of your dreams. I came here for a Unilocal Elite event and even got to meet one of the owners, Danny. He was really nice and inviting, getting us to try more items on the menu and keeping our drinks stocked up.
I tried the Bulgoger and Clam Chowder Poutines on my visit. The Bulgoger was their city exclusive flavor, but Danny told me that it was going to be a regular menu item between locations. This poutine has the base ingredients: fries, gravy and cheese curds, but this was topped with Korean Bulgogi Beef and Kimchi. Delicious! I would try it again! Because I love Bulgogi Beef, pretty much what I always order at KBBQ. I thought I found a fave, until I tried the Clam Chowder flavor! Same base ingredients, but with bacon, clams and clam chowder gravy. I was enjoying it, until I got an alarming crunch. When I looked into fries, I found a sizable piece of clam shell. I’m sure this was a simple mistake, but I hope it doesn’t happen in the future to anyone else, because aside from that, it was really good.
With the exception of a small error with the food, I really enjoyed my experience there, the combination of atmosphere, staff, and good food, I would definitely recommend this up and coming food item to anyone.

Are you in hurry and hungry? Stop here.
Looking for heavy hearty food or you next cheat meal? This is the place to be.
Still can’t get rid of that hangover from that party last night? This will fix it!
This restaurant offers French fries in a cool new way that I have never experienced. Since it’s a Canadian dish you should give it a try. The basics you need to know before coming is that it’s a French fry dish with cheese curds and toped with gravy. Sounds simple but this restaurant has taken this dish to a whole new level. Offering different flavors that range from chicken chili, bacon cheeseburger and Philly cheesesteak (just to name a few).
The food is defiantly hearty and will explode with flavor in your mouth so make sure to stop in and take a while to look at the menu because it is big.
Personally I tried the Bulgoger and the chicken bacon ranch and both were equally satisfying! I highly recommend you try either or because they were defiantly great!

Another Awesome elite event! Thanks Stephanie and the staff for putting on another great event! Always great to meet other elite Unilocalers! Love being part of this family!
The hosts /​owners of the establishment were amazing and fun. They were welcoming and explained in detail what poutines were.
After pursuing the menu — which consisted of many different selections of meats or veggie selections that come with the standard Canadian concoction of fries cheese curd and gravy with whatever your choice of meat or meatless desire is.
Wow! What a dish! Definitely a dish for late night after a night of partying when you’re absolutely famished!
Each bite is something new. Cheese curds meat (or veggies) fries gravy (mine also came with sour cream). I have never tried anything like it. If you haven’t either — you must.
Seats are set up against the wall with a bar like counter going around the restaurant so you can catch all the happenings going on in Berkeley — and there usually a lot. People watching is the absolute best here.
Come and bring your appetite!!!

For as much as I’ve been around Berkeley the past few years, I’ve always walked around and spotted places I would like to try. This restaurant was one of them. But the problem was, I had the intention of stopping by but never actually going in. It’s a bad cycle really. I basically give myself excuses about why I can’t stop in or not.
I’ve walked and driven past this place numerous times. IT’S SUCH A HAPPENING PLACE. Every time I see people upon people just eating here. I had no idea what they sold, but it most be good. Then, a classmate told me they sold fries and they were creative in their fries. SOLD. I’M A SUCKER FOR FIRES. But it’s not just fries, no, it’s poutine. POUTINE? A dish of fries with cheese curds and gravy. Super popular in Canada. WELP IF THEY LIKE I’M SURE I WILL.
By a strange fortune and coincidence, I was brought to this very place I have walked pass and told friends that I would like to try one day for an event with Unilocal Elites. I got a little lost on my way here. First of all, I wasn’t driving so my friend and I got a little out of the way from here just to find parking. We had to circle around or so just to finding the parking garage. It’s okay, street parking may be bad here, but what you can count on is the garages you can park into. It’s a plus that the walk from the garage to hear wasn’t long either. Took a minute or two max.
I’m astounding about the welcoming presence of the owner, the manager, and his employees. Their passion for what they make really got me so pumped about trying their food out. The owner definitely held so much positive energy about it like I felt that that alone would make the food taste fantastic. It’s really cool to see someone so involved in the product their putting out to the public.
It’s delightfully chic in this restaurant. The music is combination of underground and main stream. The walls are bright and decorated with things you keep looking at with inquiring ideas and questions. The menu — what can I say about the menu? SO MANY THINGS. SO EXTENSIVE. What do you choose? I would have gone mad if left to my own devices, but luckily, the owner was there to save the day. His suggestions were either their Bulgoger or there latest creation the Chow Down.
My friend had the Chow Down and she absolutely loved it. She was kind enough to let me try some and let me tell you that it was mouthwatering. I was hesitant that it would be too soggy and that the clam chowder wouldn’t taste right with the fries. I love being proven wrong. The clams weren’t too chewy, the bacon done right. It wasn’t too thin nor too thick. It moistened the fries, but it didn’t downright make the fries soggy beyond return. There was no need to add anything to it. By itself, it was a remarkable concoction of flavor.
My chosen dish was the bulgoger. See where can you go wrong with Sriracha mayo. Korean style cooked meat too? NOTHING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Thanks for proving me right! The meat seemed endless. Deeper and deeper I went into this meal sized box (Note: meal sized is a lot deeper and larger than it looks). The fries were like the fries in my friend’s box. The Sriracha mayo was the right amount of spicy. The cheese made the texture of the dish so good. Every bite was like an explosion of flavor. It settled into my stomach so calmly. Each bite I wanted more and more.
This is the spot. This is the place. Love fries? Come here. Want new and different things on your fries? Come here? This is the restaurant you got to try out. Can’t wait to come back again!

My first experience at Smoke’s could not be any more perfect. Thanks to East Bay CM, Steph, I was able to attend a YEE here. I was seriously impressed by the generosity of the owner who hosted several of these events in his restaurant.
First things first, the menu is staggering. So extensive, and so creative. It took poutine to a whole new level! Organized by types of meat, you find a lot of common crowd-​pleaser flavors like Nacho Grande, Philly cheesesteak, Bacon Cheeseburger. Etc, as well as a few other more unique flavors. The menu is accessible here:
My guy and I tried the Nacho Grande poutine, which actually tasted like nachos, and the Bulgoger which was sweet and beefy like bulgogi normally is! The cheese curds + french fries in both were barely noticeable, however, no complaints here as I’m sure they helped balanced out the poutine to make them as deliciously mouth-​watering as they were. Everything seems highly customizable since it seems like you can swap one protein for another if you find necessary. If nothing else, and you just want good old traditional poutine, that’s available too! (See restaurant wall for awards + fame)
For «heart-​attack-​in-​the-​box», this is still a 10/​10, would eat again sorta deal. Seriously. In addition, they have great hours, great ambiance, great service! Can’t wait to come back!

Today i got to be a plus one! with my Friend (who is an elite) event at Smokes Poutinerie. It was awesome experience and i loved it from beginning to end. When we checked in we recieved a drink of our choice, i chose the sesions because the bottle looked adorable.
As part of the event we tried a menu item and socialized with other Unilocalers who were elite and plus ones. Hope i become elite one day!
Anyways, I had the chicken bacon ranch fries that came in a snack size. The proportion for this particular size was a small and i felt that it could feed two people if you wanted a small snack. Once we recieved the order, the box was filled to the top inside a cute togo container. It smelled delicous and the fries were snoothered with so much flavor. The togo container is really nice if youre in a hurry or you can sit at one of the bar stools that over look the street.
So, if its your first time here, take your time looking around the menu, there is a lot to choose from. Starting with size, meat and flavor. The flavors were not limited an ranged from comfort food, Mexican, American, spicy and even Korean inspired which was a local favorite.

UPDATED TO 1 STAR based on the owner’s rude response.
If you do choose to come here, make sure you have low expectations. The poutine here just won’t be on the same level as the poutine in Canada. Sure, Smoke’s is a Canadian chain, but whatever they’re doing in this location just isn’t on par with the ones in Canada. This is exactly why various chain restaurants have different ratings on Unilocal,lol.
——
Not authentic according to my Canadian friends.
The place is good for late night eats because it’s open until 4 am, but the actual food leaves much to be desired.
The fries are soggy and the cheese curds aren’t melted enough. It’s too salty and soggy and the flavors don’t really mix in. Stay away from the traditional poutine.
I’ve tried their bulgogi and kimchi one, and it tastes much better.
Another thing to keep in mind: the Meal size is a lot to eat for just one person!

Fries fries fries baby!
Loaded yummy goodness. I remember seeing the sticker of the infamous founder of Smoke’s at one of the check-​in counters at SFO. My first thought was «Why is there a sticker of my coworker here?!» I even pointed it out to him & he laughed.
A short while later I saw my friend’s IG post of these delish looking loaded fries & I was like «Omfg where did you get this?!» That’s how I discovered Smoke’s.
Today I came to Berkeley with my sis for Cal game so since we’re in the area, we made sure to pay this place a visit before heading back home.
Friendly service, pretty neato looking place, and delish fries. what else can you ask for? :)

Literalmente: patatas fritas con queso. Algunos platos llevan extras, como cebolla o carne. En general muy, muy, muy grasiento. El local es bastante pequeño y faltan asientos. Aceptable como comida anti-​resaca.