If you are looking for a nice country drive and love cheese, I highly recommend making the trip out to St-Albert cheese factory. I enjoyed checking out the gift shop/grocery store on site. They had so many cool bbq sauces, dressings, spices and pickles. I scored a jar of Putters pickles. They are amazing deli style pickles that are so hard to find in Ottawa stores. Of course I had to pick up cheese, and lots of it! They also had a intriguing selection of candy in the shop, but I got sucked into the candy surprise bags that were by the cash. They were $2.25 for a small bag, or $3.99 for a large bag. The small bags were stuffed with a small thing of jujubes and a lollipop. Total bust. Next up to the cafeteria, where the hubby and I shared a family size poutine with extra curds on top. The gravy is amazing and on point. Ended things with a scoop of Kawarthas ice cream. Totally missed the stairs to get up to the second floor to view the production area. I totally see myself coming back. read more

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Poutine is a good size. cheese is very generous. However we got what ever was left for the bacon. It was very very crunchy and I like my bacon on the crispy side, this was burnt. With a lot of ketchup it was much better. This a hard review, and you might be into leftover bacon. I will be back but might recommend going at lunchtime. We can in the afternoon... read more

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If you are traveling between Ottawa and Montreal this is a must stop. It was great to see where the curds are made and how it is processed. A welcome stop off of the highway. The self guided tour is a nice touch since you can just come in and enjoy the entire facility. It is a cool spot with plenty to see inside and out, lots of seating and a very welcoming vibe. Good food, good ice cream, and a great market. The market was definitely my favorite spot with how many local goods they featured other than just their own dairy. The history of the place was fascinating and it was really great to actually watch the production floor putting out all of the delicious cheese. Of course, the highlight for our 4 year old daughter was the ice cream shop. Their service was super quick for food and ice cream. I wish we could have brought more back with us. read more

We came here on July 1st, just 15 minutes before closing time on our way to Ottawa so I cannot review the entire facility, my post will be based on the shop and quality of their cheeses. At first glance this new building is beautiful and modern, I love the exterior seating and open to the public concept with their restaurant and store. They have a selection of breakfast dishes served daily or poutines and burgers throughout the rest of the day. There is also an ice cream shop on site so you can enjoy everything dairy. The little store holds an abundance of cheeses, from the classic fresh of the day curds to aged cheddars, swiss, mozarella already grated for you or more unique flavors such as onion, jalapeno or salsa cheddars. The facility offers little tours where you can see the production and it is open 7 days a week, however on weekends both the store and restaurant close at 6pm which is rather early. I left with a 2 kilo bag of fresh curds for 30$ as well as some bars of aged cheddar, everything is delicious and top notch. I love that they have orange cheddar curds which I haven't seen elsewhere and make their own marbled two tone cheddar. The orange is colored naturally by the way, with annatto (plant extract) in case anyone is wondering. The St-Albert Cheese co-op hosts a cheese curd festival every summer so you can maximize on the cheese experience- their website is a great source of information with full list of events, product offerings and restaurant menu. This is a cheese lover's dream, a must visit if you are in the area or coming to Ottawa. I definitely will be back, earlier in the day this time to try the rest. read more

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The food here is very good value for a very big portion. The cheese curds are incredible and with samples everywhere you will get your fill. The poutine itself was average but the jerk chicken wrap was delicious. The grilled cheese was also very good. If I'm in the area I will definitely stop in again. read more

Fromagerie St-Albert - Cheese Shops Near Me - St-Albert, Ontario

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"Squeak, squeak, squeak"... what is that? A bunch of mice trying to get at the cheese? No! It's what a true traditional cheese curd should sound like when you chew on it! Located about 1/2 hr south east of Ottawa stands a true foodie destination. St. Albert's cheese is well known for making traditional cheeses that has been around for over a hundred plus years and was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 2013 but much like a phoenix, has risen from the ashes better then ever. Not only do that have a great retail part where they sell their amazing cheeses, but they also have a viewing area where you see cheeses being made. But the best part of all for us was the cafeteria and the best part of that cafeteria?? The poutine of course! Serving over 15 different types of poutines, you will be in poutine heaven! From a traditional Classique poutine to crazy ones like Mexicano Ole, the Himalayan, and Gangnam Style, I guarantee you this is one of the most enjoyable food experiences you will ever have. They are all served with traditional cheddar cheese curds. These cheese curds do not melt in the hot gravy.... the are very spongy and give a characteristic "squeak" when you chew. Best way to describe it is that it's like chewing on a sponge. Once you have these poutine you will have an epiphany and understand when someone says that real cheese curds "squeak". Fake ones don't. The portions are huge here and can feed two if you are small eaters but if you are a big eater, one is adequate... if you are not a local like me you will eat too much since you will not get poutine like this in the GTA! They also have burgers and even breakfast menus, but those freaking poutines is where it's at. As a tip because each poutine is made to order try to come during off hours as apparently they can get slammed. We got lucky and came around 2pm so not much of wait. "Squeak, Squeak"? More please! read more

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I'm a foodie who was on a mission to try various poutines on our trip to Ontario, and . . . It will be hard to find a better poutine than the ones at Fromagerie St-Albert Impossibly fresh squeaky curds, a flavorful gravy, and topping variations that will bring me back. Their Gangnam Style with kim chee and braised beef was easily the best poutine I've ever had, and one of the best dishes I've had in the past year. Their St-Alber style with ground beef, green pepper, and onion, was a Philly Beef in a bowl Add to that the view into the cheese factory, and a stellar expansive specialty items store, and the place can't be beat no matter where you put it on a map. Easily a place worth going out of your way for read more

What a lovely place! They have a mini supermarket on the ground floor with variety of cheeses and many other goodies. You can go upstairs to check how their cheeses are made which is always fun. My favorite thing about this place is the fact that you can order a poutine or one of their delicious ice creams and sit down and eat it at the place. Definitely a great idea to visit if you find yourself in Ontario near by. read more

Fromagerie St-Albert - Cheese Shops Near Me - St-Albert, Ontario

If you find yourself in Ontario Canada I highly recommend you get to St. Albert Cheese Factory. My favorite is their Cheese Curds which are the best Cheese Curds known to mankind. As a former resident of Monkland Ontario I can tell you that every time we went there we wold get 2 bags. 1 for cooking poutine at home and the other to eat on the way back home from the Cheese Factory. read more

Verdict: the classic poutine was phenomenal, except for the fact that it took 45 minutes to receive. We made a specific trip to this place to try it out, as we hadn't been there since it was rebuilt a couple years back. It was as busy as one would expect at lunch time, so we ordered a simple poutine each, took our number, and found a table. Then the wait, the length of which would have allowed me to read volumes A-F of encyclopedia britannica, commenced. Once the food arrived, it was great, however it was inhaled so fast I could barely taste it. If you're hungry and need a quick bite, go elsewhere (although I can't think of any other reasons to be in St Albert to begin with). However if you're simply looking for great poutine, this is the place to be. read more

Fromagerie St-Albert - Cheese Shops Near Me - St-Albert, Ontario

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Huge parking lot. Nice location. Lots of spots to eat outside on veranda in the summer. We got the St. Albert original poutine and the deep fried curds. Yum!!! Went on a Saturday in January, got our food within 5 minutes of ordering. Go upstairs and you can see the cheese making process. The storefront has tons of variety and Canadian souvenirs. You could easily stock up with a years supply of cheese when you stop here. Samples of curds in the storefront too. read more

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Cheese factory with ice cream and poutine that would stop a horse, in a good way. Excellent fancy grocery with a decent casse croute. The curd cheese squeaks when you eat it. Not fancy but very busy. Worth a stop in eastern ontario. read more

This is a great place to visit if you want to see a cheese factory and get some great cheese. On the first floor is a large restaurant and a store. Here you can eat/sample their products and take home a bunch. Upstairs is a viewing gallery with glass window walls looking down onto the cheese processing plant. There are lots of chairs where you can sit and watch, as well as posters on the walls explaining the history and processes. It is all handicap accessible and they have a large parking lot. read more

I tried their poutine yesterday and must say, was the worst poutine I ever had. Just awful. The sauce tasted nothing, the fries were no longer than an inch in length, just crumbs of overheated rubbery things. The only good thing about it was the cheese. My husband had the same and had the same comments. We had the pleasure of watching people sit down with their freshly ordered poutines and witness their first reactions after the first forkful of it. Yes, it was that bad. To top it off, the fountain ginger ale tasted nothing. Way too diluted. Nope, won't be heading there to eat anymore, only to buy cheese. read more

I love the cheese! The wide selection of products too! The restaurant food was great, except the fries. Sadly they had no taste and were slightly mushy. I would suggest using a different potato, perhaps? It is Poutine afterall! If they improve on their fries, they will have better success for sure! Otherwise, bravo! read more

Amazing cheese curds! simply the best. The factory just finished construction and is in the process of getting back to making cheese since it burned down a couple years ago. They sell ice cream, cheese and all kinds of goodies here. They are also in the process of opening up a restaurant! Worth the drive from Ottawa for the yearly cheese curd festival in August. read more

It has been a while since I've been to the Saint Albert cheese factory. They rebuilt a nice new building after the fire they had. We started by the upstairs viewing area where you can see the production of the cheese. There are also very informative plaques explaining the history of the factory and the different steps of cheese making. The store offers different kinds of cheeses made there and you can get cheddar and curds that were made that morning. They also have a restaurant but I didn't have a chance to try the food. read more

I went twice in a week. Once for two , and once for four. First time was awesome and the second was not so good. read more

I was born and raised in Curran and growing up we went to get our curds on Sundays. after moving out to BC 32 years ago, anytime I go back home, that is the first thing I want is the fresh curds. We are heading back home in a couple of days and you know what my first stop is. Fresh Curds !! :) I plan on bringing back to BC with me lots of cheese and the curled up cheese, which is a huge hit when people try it. I surely wish we were able to purchase this amazing cheese here. read more

Nice looking, good cheese and products from the store, but I do not recommend the restaurant. Food was overcooked, only thing good was the cheese curds on my poutine. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich, it wasn't made well, and my sons hamburger resembled a hockey puck. Great place to buy food from the store, or check out the factory, but not to eat at the restaurant. read more

Seniors from a residence visited on October 6th of course the cheese is always fantastic but all of us who took fries or poutine were very disappointed as our fries were dark dark brown, extremely dry. My poutine was so bad because of those dry fries I just took a few bite and had to throw the rest out. So, I decided to buy a salad to take home which when I decided to eat at home was I noticed the salad was mostly rusted again more food for garbage. Those who ordered chef specials lasagna they said was good. read more

I use to come here all the time as a kid since I was born and raised in the small town of St-albert. Anyone who ever even mentioned the word 'poutine' around me would be faced with my sales pitch telling them to come here for the best poutine around. Now I am ashamed to even tell them they serve poutine.... the only good thing was the curds. The gravy tasted burnt and was far too liquidy. The fact that they would even serve such an atrocity is shameful to the St-albert name. The first time I gave them a pass since they had just rebuilt and they were getting their things together. Years later I try again and nothing has changed. I no longer recommend this place for their poutine. Get bags of fresh curds or delicious gilato but for the love of God spare yourself the disapointment of eating a poutine here. Absolutely horrendous poutine. Everything else is fine. read more