With successful locations already operating in Chatham and Blenheim, the local expansion marks the third spot for the growing Ontario-based poutinerie—and it’s a welcome addition to the city’s food scene. Open daily from 11am to 9pm, Craves offers an impressive menu that goes far beyond your standard fries, curds, and gravy. In fact, their flavour […]
With successful locations already operating in Chatham and Blenheim, the local expansion marks the third spot for the growing Ontario-based poutinerie—and it’s a welcome addition to the city’s food scene.
Open daily from 11am to 9pm, Craves offers an impressive menu that goes far beyond your standard fries, curds, and gravy. In fact, their flavour combinations range from classic to wildly creative. Some are comfort food staples, while others lean into pure culinary experimentation.
I started with their classic poutine—a solid benchmark for any poutinerie—and I was not disappointed. The beef gravy was rich and salty in all the right ways; I didn’t need to reach for the salt shaker once. The fries held up well, the portion was generous, and the cheese curds had that perfect squeaky-fresh texture that true poutine lovers crave. It was everything a traditional poutine should be—comforting, savoury, and satisfying. If you’re unsure where to start, this is the one.
On the more adventurous end of the menu, I tried the lobster poutine—definitely not a flavour combo I ever thought I’d see on fries in Sarnia. It came with chunks of lobster meat, lemon sauce, sweet peppers, and green onions. The ingredients were fresh and you can tell the quality is there, but for me, the combination just didn’t work. I was expecting something more saucy—maybe a lobster butter sauce or even a lobster bisque—but this wasn’t it. The raw sweet peppers felt out of place with the lobster. All of the toppings are served cold, which seemed strange for a hot poutine. That said, I can absolutely see why it’s a popular choice—lobster is eye-catching on any menu—but this one just wasn’t for me.
Craves also serves handhelds, and I gave the lamb gyro a try. It came wrapped in soft, pillowy pita bread, filled with fresh ingredients and well-seasoned lamb. Though the meat appeared to be pre-packaged rather than shaved from a spit, it was still tasty and satisfying. It’s a quick, affordable option for anyone on the go, and I’d gladly order it again.
The service was excellent, and the staff was friendly and efficient. They also carry ice cream from the London Ice Cream Company—a nice bonus for those with a sweet tooth and a great addition to the area.
Overall, Craves Poutinerie is a great new spot in Sarnia for comfort food with a twist. Whether you’re sticking with the classic or branching out to try one of their wild creations, there’s something here for everyone. The quality is consistent (this is my second visit), the creativity is high, and it’s clear the team is passionate about what they’re serving. I’m looking forward to seeing how their menu evolves as they settle into the neighbourhood.
Address: 1403 Michigan Ave, Sarnia, ON N7S 0C4
Phone: (519) 491-5993
Sarnia Nibbles is a long-time downtown resident of Sarnia, with an insatiable love for food. They came to life on Instagram as a delicious extension of a personal love affair with food, drink, and the vibrant local community. The creator aims to capture the essence of Sarnia’s food scene, showcasing hidden gems, time-honoured favourites, and stories behind the dishes that make this city a gastronomic treasure trove.
For more, follow Sarnia Nibbles on Instagram.
