Thanks to Pickle Planet Moncton for inspiring this delicious dose of family fun!
Pickle Planet is your one-stop spot for information and inspiration about family living in Greater Moncton. Be sure to follow for more info about local events, family activity ideas, and parenting adventures!
I’m starting a new movement: Poutine Parenting. Finding connection over a classic dish, using the lure of fresh fries and squeaky cheese to entice your tweens and teens into creating one of those core memories the internet tells us we should have. And what better way to boost us all into action than Greater Moncton’s Poutine Week?!
If you’re lucky, you can convince the kid(s) to gather ‘round the kitchen table and pour over the options together. There are nearly 40 unique poutines you can enjoy March 27-April 13, so even the pickiest eaters should be able to find something that excites them! Need to make the decision on your own? I suggest a family outing to GG Bistro for the Tot 2 Me poutine.
If you’re not familiar yet with GG Bistro, it’s a fantastic hidden gem at 928 Champlain Street in Dieppe. They have several tables with big screen TVs that link to game consoles; yes, you can play PS5 or Nintendo games while you wait for the meal! (Not all tables have the game option; we recommend calling ahead to book a spot so you don’t promise games and arrive to find the place full.) The service is top notch and the menu is filled with foodie-fueled options like seafood cakes and a wonton tower alongside half-a-dozen signature burgers, fries, wings, and more.
I brought the kids (ages 12, 12, & 13) while Papa Pickle was out of town. We ordered the Tot 2 Me, their regular Chicken Bacon Poutine, and some extra sides of house cut fries — just in case for the picky ones at the table. Then we fired up Mario Party Superstars, which is a perfect option if you’re looking for a video game that’s good for all skill levels. Each player has a chance to move on their own around a board, then there are mini games that sometimes pit one player against the others or have you work as a team together. We got a few rounds and laughs in before the food arrived – and boy, was it good!
The Tot 2 Me features house cut fries, tater tots, cheese curds, bacon, gravy, tortilla crusted chicken, smoked cheese sauce, honey dill, and red onion. I was a huge fan of the smoked cheese sauce, while the tortilla crusted chicken was the stand out for the teen. The thin red onion slices were easy to avoid for those who aren’t a fan, and the tots are a fun twist.
The Chicken Bacon Poutine was a big hit, too – and the extra fries ended up being dipped into the poutine plates, of course!
And while the meal was great, the laughs, time spent together, and the fact Mom & Big Sister won over the tweens who game for hours will be the memories we keep from our #PoutineParenting outing!
Love the idea but not on board with all the fries and gravy? Check out Gâteries JR’s Treats at the Dieppe Market on Saturday morning. They’re featuring two versions of an Apple Poutine – one where the local Honeycrisp slices are smothered in caramel, Skor bits, and cream cheese icing, and another with yogurt, maple syrup, almonds, flax, and cinnamon!
Don’t stop at just a restaurant outing. Here are a few other ways you can practice #PoutineParenting!
Host your own tasting party at home! Order up a selection of poutines and invite some friends, too. It’s hard to make it through 37 poutines (unless you’re managing two a day this festival!) but a tasting party gives you a great head start on filling your Poutingo Card (yes, that’s a real thing!) and the chance to spend time together. Our pick for this: the take-out restaurants that make up ECRG have an awesome list of options including the Put A Ring On It with Ringolos, the GF Chicken & Waffles Poutine, the Pulled Pork French Onion Poutine, and the dessert Churro Trifecta poutine.
Poutingo: We are LOVING this feature of Poutine Week 2025! It’s a four-corners type of game. Grab your Poutingo Card from any of the participating restaurants, eat at one restaurant in each of the four quadrants, then submit your receipts to show you hit all four blocks. You’ll be in the draw for gift cards and awesome FEAST Atlantic merch!
Whether you’re bonding over a shared love of Canadian comfort food or sneaking in some laughs between Mario Party rounds, #PoutineParenting is all about creating joyful, low-pressure moments with your kids — no lectures, just gravy. Greater Moncton Poutine Week is the perfect excuse to slow down, connect, and create those core memories in the most delicious way possible. So grab your Poutingo Card, rally the fam, and dig in — because sometimes, the best parenting happens with cheese curds and a side of fun!
