One of the main reasons I look forward to going out in Kingston is because I am rewarded with the foolproof excuse to eat everything and anything after leaving the club. One of the most exciting moments of the night is when your friend turns to you and says, “Wanna go get some food now?” Honestly, I plan what meal I’m going to eat afterwards more than what I’m going to wear that night. I’ve hit up quite a few of the pizza, fast food and poutine places in Kingston and I’m sure you have, too. So, here are some of my favourite fine Kingston establishments.
1) McDonald’s
You can literally never go wrong with McDonald’s. I am pretty sure there is something for everyone. The main argument against McDonald’s is obviously the health aspect, but at this point in the night, that concern is long gone. So, if you seriously want to indulge, go order that Big Mac, large fries and an Oreo McFlurry. You deserve it after being trampled on all night at Stages.
2) Smoke’s Poutinerie
I love a good poutine and every Canadian I know does, too. Coming from the United States really hindered my ability to eat as much poutine as possible so now I am making up for it. It’s pretty cool how many creative options for poutine Smoke’s has created. Don’t be afraid to go a little wild and switch it up every once in awhile and go for that triple pork poutine.
3) Pizza Pizza or Little Caesar’s
Pizza is quintessential drunk food. Now, I know that people have very polar opinions on these two pizza joints and who the winner is, but, personally, I see pizza as pizza. I don’t think I have ever been disappointed by a good slice. As long as I have a side of ranch I am always content. A perk of Pizza Pizza, though, is the great people watching windows.
4) Metro
What could be better than a 24-hour free-for-all of any food ever? Have a great time running around the aisles looking for all the chips, mashed potatoes, candy or even chicken breasts that your heart desires. Late night cravings can be weird and Metro really lets you embrace them.
5) Mr. Donair
This place is always jam packed on my walk home from the bars. It’s a good alternative to my usual diet of poutine and Big Macs. Their picture literally says, “We roll fat ones”. That sounds pretty promising to me.
6) Tommy’s
If you and your friends are interested in keeping the night going a little bit longer, sit down at Tommy’s. The diner environment is super fun and the huge menu will suit everyone’s appetites. They have some really interesting concoctions, like the Ninja poutine and the Drunken Trigger BLT. Also, you can get a stack of pancakes at two in the morning, so it’s a no-brainer on some nights.
7) Thai Express
When I told my friends I was writing this article they said it was mandatory that I add this to the list. Personally, I have never eaten here after a night out, but my friends are fairly frequent customers. One of them even has a devious strategy to avoid getting her drunk eats taken by other ravenous friends: order the extra spicy version.
BONUS: Bubba’s
This is hands down my most frequently visited place to eat after a night at Ale or Stages. I consider myself a very loyal customer and aspire to one day be on a first name basis with everyone that works there. I put this as a bonus purely because it is the thing I get the most hate for, 10/10 times I go out. People refuse to agree with me that the poutine at Bubba’s is better than at Smoke’s. You might agree with them. But I will stand by this forever. I could write a whole article on my love for Bubba’s poutine… but I’ll let you decide for yourself if you want to give it a try.