Cheap Eats Montreal! Le Cheese

Mac & Cheese and Tater Tots. Photo by Ken Gaucher Mac & Cheese and Tater Tots. Photo by Ken Gaucher

There is no shortage of great food or great eating places in Montreal. That is no secret! Our city is renowned across North America for it’s wonderful restaurants. But with these tough times, and as the saying goes, “You get what you pay for,” we are all trying to get the most bang for our buck. So here is the challenge — let me help you find the best food Montreal has to offer, for under $15! You’re going to be surprised with what we come up with.

The Joint

So, let’s begin! Bring on the cheese!

Le Cheese Food Truck! Photo by Le Cheese

Le Cheese Food Truck! Photo by Le Cheese

In the summer of 2013, three high school friends decided they were going to get into the restaurant business. Armed with Mom’s Mac & Cheese recipe (with three kinds of cheddar, and grilled not baked, this is one of the very best you are likely to taste in Montreal), these three young men built their inspiration and menu around cheese. Then, they built a totally cool food truck and called it Le Cheese. Business was good, of course! Who doesn’t like cheese? Plus they offered “Free High Fives!” Winter came and consequently the food truck closed for the season. Le Cheese became a pop-up restaurant on Sherbrooke Street and used Cosmos on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights so cheese addicts could get their cheese fix until 3am in the morning.

The Le Cheese truck was back on the road in the spring of 2014. Serving up a heaped helping of cheesy goodness, Le Cheese also won the MTL Best Food Truck award.

Le Cheese, Monkland Ave. Photo by Ken Gaucher

Le Cheese, Monkland Ave. Photo by Ken Gaucher

Last July, the boys opened a shop on Monkland Avenue in NDG (5976 Monkland Avenue). A second spot to enjoy these unique cheese dishes! If you’re looking for an informal spot to enjoy something that really sticks to your ribs, this is the place to go. Simple, hearty food and a funky atmosphere, “Le Cheese” really has got it together.

The Menu

Cheese and lots of it! “Mac & Cheese with Green Peas”, “Tater Tots”, “Le Philly Cheese Steak”, “Le Grilled Cheese Classique” (bet you didn’t see that one coming!) and on top of this, they have a weekly special. And let me tell you, they gladly cram just about everything you can imagine into a grilled cheese sandwich. And in case you’re wondering, it tastes awesome. And of course they also have a ‘Tomato Soup with Parmesan.” Because, let’s face it, what would a grilled cheese be without tomato soup!?

Le Cheese, Monkland Ave. Photo by Ken Gaucher

Le Cheese, Monkland Ave. Photo by Ken Gaucher

The Service:

Bright and quick. A little slower at the truck, but hey, they are working in a truck. In the Monkland Ave restaurant it’s a little quicker. Servers are friendly and helpful so it makes up for any waiting time.

Special Notes:

An important thing to remember: credit cards and cash only, no bank cards. If you would rather eat at the truck you can track it down using the “Le Cheese” site which you can find here!
And stay in touch with the Le Cheese boys on Facebook here!
Fridays and Saturdays the Monkland restaurant is open until 4am.
Tuesdays bring the kids! Free grilled cheese for kids under 8 years with the folks’ order.

Le Cheese Menu Board! Photo by Ken Gaucher

Le Cheese Menu Board! Photo by Ken Gaucher

And, did you know… The Le Cheese truck was on Amazing Race Canada.
And another fun fact, Le Cheese uses about 50 kilos of cheese a week! That’s 110 pounds!

So I urge you to check outLe Cheese for an inexpensive yet rich Montreal dining experience.

And if you have a favourite eating spot for less than $15, I’d love to hear about it! Send me a message at [email protected]

Le Cheese is located at 5976 Monkland Avenue, NDG. It is open Tuesday to Thursday, 12 p.m. – 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12 p.m. – 4 a.m.(!) and Sunday 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. The food truck location can be found on the website, here.

About Ken Gaucher

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