Ashton in Quebec City is one of the restaurant chains most closely associated with the region. The fast-food institution is known above all for poutine, but its history begins with a roadside fry stand.
For a visitor, Ashton is useful less as a claim to the “best” poutine than as a piece of local food culture that generations of residents recognize.
How Ashton began
According to the company’s official history, Ashton Leblond bought the Casse-Croûte Chez Laurette trailer in L’Ancienne-Lorette in 1969, when he was 21. He renamed it Ashton Snack Bar and sold the familiar snack-bar foods of the era: fresh fries, hamburgers, hot dogs and meat sandwiches.
Poutine appeared on the menu in 1972. In 1976, growing demand allowed Leblond to move across boulevard Hamel into a year-round restaurant with a dining room. A second location opened on boulevard Sainte-Anne in 1980, and the roast-beef sandwich was added there.
The chain expanded around the Quebec City region rather than trying to become a generic national brand. That regional concentration is a large part of why Ashton feels local even though it operates multiple restaurants.
Is it still called Chez Ashton?
Many residents still call the chain Chez Ashton, the name attached to it for decades. Émily Adam and Jean-Christophe Lirette acquired the 23-location business in 2022. The company introduced a new visual identity in 2023 using the shorter name Ashton.
Both names may therefore appear in conversation, older photographs and search results. If someone in Quebec City suggests Chez Ashton, they are referring to the same chain now branded Ashton.
What does Ashton serve?
Poutine is the signature item, with classic and topped versions. The broader menu includes burgers, hot dogs, fries, roast-beef sandwiches, chicken, salads and other quick-service items. The company also publishes current allergen information, which is worth checking directly because recipes can change.
This is fast food, not a formal survey of Quebec cuisine. The point is speed, familiarity and consistency. A roast-beef sandwich or hot dog may be as revealing of the chain’s identity as the poutine.
How many locations does Ashton have?
The official history records 23 locations in 2021 and describes the chain as having 23 locations when it changed owners in 2022. Store counts can change, so use Ashton’s current locations page rather than relying on an old number when choosing where to go.
Most locations are in the greater Quebec City region. Hours, delivery options and menu availability vary, especially on holidays, so check the specific restaurant before making a special trip.
Should a visitor try Ashton?
Try it if you want to understand a locally rooted chain that people in Quebec City have known for decades. It is an accessible first poutine, and the menu gives mixed groups plenty of alternatives.
Do not treat one chain as the final verdict on the dish. Independent casse-croûtes and neighborhood restaurants may use different fries, curds and gravies. Comparing styles is part of the fun, and a place with less name recognition may become your favorite.
Our Quebec City poutine guide covers local options and what to look for in the classic combination. If the cheese is your main concern, see why fresh cheddar curds matter.
What to order first
For a first visit, start with a classic poutine in a manageable size. Eat it promptly while the fries still have structure and the gravy is warm. Add a roast-beef sandwich if you want to sample another item tied to Ashton’s history.
The useful conclusion is simple: Ashton is not merely a roadside stop that became larger. It is a Quebec City chain whose growth, ownership change and updated branding reflect more than five decades of local fast-food history.
Discover more from Quebec City 101
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.