If you’ve ever driven to Quebec City and come back raving about a poutine place that puts your usual Montreal spots to shame, you were probably talking about Ashton.
Now you won’t have to make the drive from MTL.
Ashton is opening its first-ever location on the island of Montreal this summer. The spot is the food court at Complexe Desjardins, right downtown.
What we know so far
The new Ashton location is expected to open in late June or early July 2026, according to Journal Métro. It’s a franchise operation, and the first of what Ashton hopes will be several Montreal locations in the years ahead.
Their full classic menu — and they are more than just poutine — is coming with it. Every poutine variation the chain is known for, from the standard to the loaded options that built its reputation in Quebec City, particularly after a night of clubbing. Online ordering and delivery will also be available, even outside regular food court hours.
This isn’t a pop-up or a limited run. They’re here to stay!
Why this matters in a city full of poutine
Montreal doesn’t lack for poutine. Between La Banquise, Patati Patata, and dozens of casse-croûtes that have been doing it for generations, nobody’s going hungry here.
But Ashton is different. In Quebec City, it’s where you go after a night out on Grande Allée. It’s what tourists get told to eat before anything else. Locals defend it the way Montrealers defend their bagel shops.
The fact that it’s taken this long to get here is part of the story. Montrealers have been asking for an Ashton on the island for years, and when the company confirmed the news in February, the reaction was pretty loud.
Why Complexe Desjardins?
Not the flashiest address in Montreal, but a smart first move. Downtown, high foot traffic, and a food court location keep the overhead manageable while the brand tests the market.
It also helps that Complexe Desjardins sits right next to Place des Arts and the Quartier des Spectacles. Festival season, concert nights, office lunch rush. The location is actually a no brainer when you think about it.
If this one takes off (and why wouldn’t it?), more are expected to follow. Ashton has said publicly that the franchise model is how they plan to grow across the island, and this first spot is the test case.
The poutine rivalry no one asked for (but everyone wants)
Poutine in Quebec is personal. Quebec City and Montreal have always had their own scenes, and a Quebec City chain walking into Montreal’s backyard is going to stir things up. It might not be Habs-Nords level, but the poutine will be better embraced, ha ha.
Will Ashton convert the La Banquise loyalists? Probably not. But it doesn’t have to. Montreal is big enough for both, and the real winners are people who just want another solid poutine option downtown.
The debate is already happening online. It’ll only get louder once the doors actually open.
What to expect when it opens
If you’ve never had Ashton, the short version: classic Quebec poutine done consistently well, at fast food speed, without cutting corners. Fresh-cut fries, real cheese curds, and a gravy that Quebec City locals swear by.
The menu goes past basic poutine. Loaded versions with smoked meat, hot dogs, and other Québécois comfort food staples. Don’t get confused. It’s not trying to be anything fancy. Just the best version of what it already does well.
There will be lines when it opens, no doubt. There will be opinions. Montrealers are going to have very strong feelings about whether it lives up to years of hype.
In a city where poutine loyalty runs deep, a new player walking in from Quebec City is the kind of food story that actually gets people talking. And with thousands of Canadian restaurants expected to close this year, a brand betting on Montreal right now says something.
Keep your eyes on Complexe Desjardins this summer!
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