Everybody loves burgers and fries.
That thought led Glenn Lajeunesse and Sylvie Gagne to open Mattagami River Fries at the Mountjoy Farmers Market this year. So far the statement holds true.
“Burgers and fries, that’s what people want in Timmins,” said Gagne.
Having a traditional menu of burgers, fresh-cut fries, and poutine made sense to the couple.
“I dug into a lot of research on it,” said Lajeunesse. “I kept plugging away and then Sylvie said jump. Go for it.”
The restaurant sits just at the entrance to the Mountjoy Farmers’ Market at 537 Pavillion Dr. While they had a few early bumps in the road with their homemade gravy, things have been looking up.
“We had this homemade gravy and some really liked it, some said it was horrible,” said Gagne. “Eventually, we said, you know what, why don’t we bring in the brown gravy as well.”
They put up a poll on Facebook, and the results were not clear-cut.
“It came back almost 50/50,” said Gagne. “So now we have both and those who don’t know, and we ask what kind of gravy, there is some confusion.”
They offer samples for those who want to try both gravy options.
The chip hut is putting down roots and experimenting with its offerings.
The menu includes dill pickle and cheeseburger poutine, for example.
Lajeunesse credits the shop’s staff for a lot of the creativity that has gone into the menu.
“Our staff is awesome at creating new dishes for us,” he said. “I give them an A plus on all their fine work here. We have a great team here!”
The homemade corn dogs have been a big hit with their younger customers too.
“Even kids who don’t eat hot dogs will eat the corn dogs,” said Gagne. “Go figure!”
Lajeunesse said it was a priority to have seasonal food on the Mountjoy side of the river.
“There’s not a lot of seasonal vendors like us out there like us here in Timmins,” he said. “Especially on this side of the bridge.”
The shop will be open until October, and their sights are set on the next season.
With a bump from Chris Mask’s Off the Chip Wagon show in the works for this winter, Lajeunesse and Gagne are looking forward to another busy summer.
“We’re always adding to the menu,” said Gagne. “The season is winding down.”
The shop is opened Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m.
