Patati Patata – Rachel Street at Saint-Laurent Boulevard, Montréal, Québec

"Patate" is what French fries are called in Québec. As the sign indicates, Patati Patata is a diner specializing in deluxe fries … and omelets, crepes, hamburgers, stir-fried tofu and veggies. It has only 13 seats, but the staff make up for the small size by adding lovely twists and extras to typically straightforward fast food and by welcoming you to partake in their open kitchen space, with the welcoming warmth of an old friend.

"Patati Patata" is also a French onomatopoeia (remember that word from high school English class?) which imitates a sound made by the clanking and clicking of machinery. It is often said of someone who speaks, but to whom no one cares to listen. Patati-patata is empty talk – or blah-blah-blah!