Swiss Chalet operator bought St. Hubert

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
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This will mean nothing to a lot of you, but Cara Operations that runs Swiss Chalet bought St. Hubert. Only ever had St. Hubert once in Montreal but it was amazing, price wasn't bad either. Hope this means they'll be as common as Swiss Chalet in Ontario.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/cara-st-hubert-purchase-1.3513922

American translation: Swiss Chalet is a big chain restaurant in Canada that mainly serves roasted chicken. It's not Swiss. St. Hubert is similar but mainly in Quebec.
 

Denly

Golden Member
May 14, 2011
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The quality of Swiss Chalet went down the drain the last few year, you can't even pay me to eat there. Their chicken pot pie used to be bake to order, now it looks like scope the filler into a bowl and put a pre made pie crust on top of it. chicken taste like salt, fries was way better few years ago, salad used to fresh cut not come in bags.

I had St. Hubert regularly back in the day in North York and they're miles better than Swiss Chalet, sad to see it go.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,837
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Some Quebecois were bitching that their national brand is now being sold to Canada...
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,837
17,311
126
The quality of Swiss Chalet went down the drain the last few year, you can't even pay me to eat there. Their chicken pot pie used to be bake to order, now it looks like scope the filler into a bowl and put a pre made pie crust on top of it. chicken taste like salt, fries was way better few years ago, salad used to fresh cut not come in bags.

I had St. Hubert regularly back in the day in North York and they're miles better than Swiss Chalet, sad to see it go.

Try last twenty.
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
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There's a St. Hubert in the GTA? I heard there were a few outside Quebec, never seen one.
 

Michael

Elite member
Nov 19, 1999
5,435
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It's the end of the world as we know it ...

I always make sure to eat at a St Hubert when I make it back home to Montreal.

Michael
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
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There's a St. Hubert in the GTA? I heard there were a few outside Quebec, never seen one.

I have seen a few. I remember one on Yonge north of Steeles, one somewhere in North York and another I dont remember where.
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
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I have seen a few. I remember one on Yonge north of Steeles, one somewhere in North York and another I dont remember where.

There's my problem... I only know of one Jack Astor's in my area, but there are tons of those, Milestones, and Moxies the second you get out to the burbs.
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
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thanks for the translation to American. I really thought the OP was talking about some dude who owned a hotel in the swiss alps buying a mountain...
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,637
6,202
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Only ate at Swiss Chalet once back in 1985ish. It was ok. Kinda think about it once in awhile, might eat again there some day.
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
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Only ate at Swiss Chalet once back in 1985ish. It was ok. Kinda think about it once in awhile, might eat again there some day.

Do you not have many of these in BC? It's like the go-to place for work birthdays/going aways/Christmas. Relatively cheap yet sit-down. Price makes for good takeout for more "formal" affairs too.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,637
6,202
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Do you not have many of these in BC? It's like the go-to place for work birthdays/going aways/Christmas. Relatively cheap yet sit-down. Price makes for good takeout for more "formal" affairs too.

Ya, we have a few. I think there's one near me in fact. The one I ate at was in Victoria. It's just not a big thing here. Saw some advertising on Sportsnet recently, which is why I was reminded of it.

When I want restaurant food, Roast Chicken just never crosses my mind. :D It's usually, Indian, Chinese, Italian, Greek, Burgers, or Ribs.(not in that order)
 

KMFJD

Lifer
Aug 11, 2005
31,606
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I've never been to St. Hubert's before, i'm heading through Quebec this summer so i'll put it on my to do list...
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
106
Ya, we have a few. I think there's one near me in fact. The one I ate at was in Victoria. It's just not a big thing here. Saw some advertising on Sportsnet recently, which is why I was reminded of it.

When I want restaurant food, Roast Chicken just never crosses my mind. :D It's usually, Indian, Chinese, Italian, Greek, Burgers, or Ribs.(not in that order)

FYI, Swiss does ribs, pasta, fish and chips, and I think even burgers now.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
69,735
13,351
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www.betteroff.ca
Oh wow I remember St. Hubert, we used to have one here. Was decent food if I recall. Can't remember why they closed down as I think it was decently popular. Probably been over 20 years now... crazy how I can still picture the sign on top. Now the same place is a Wacky Wings, but it was like several other places before that too. The other names escape me.

We also used to have a Harvey's / Swish Chalet. It was practically a tradition to go there every Sunday after church. I used to always take the chicken fingers and load up the fries with vinegar. There was something about those fries that made them awesome with vinegar. I usually just put ketchup on mine.

Actually one way to put it, St. Hubert is basically the French Canadian version of Los Pollos from Breaking Bad. :p
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,837
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There's my problem... I only know of one Jack Astor's in my area, but there are tons of those, Milestones, and Moxies the second you get out to the burbs.

I have seen those downtown as well. You should leave your baswnt once in a blue moon :awe:
 

KMFJD

Lifer
Aug 11, 2005
31,606
49,544
136
Oh wow I remember St. Hubert, we used to have one here. Was decent food if I recall. Can't remember why they closed down as I think it was decently popular. Probably been over 20 years now... crazy how I can still picture the sign on top. Now the same place is a Wacky Wings, but it was like several other places before that too. The other names escape me.

We also used to have a Harvey's / Swish Chalet. It was practically a tradition to go there every Sunday after church. I used to always take the chicken fingers and load up the fries with vinegar. There was something about those fries that made them awesome with vinegar. I usually just put ketchup on mine.

Actually one way to put it, St. Hubert is basically the French Canadian version of Los Pollos from Breaking Bad. :p

Swiss Chalet's main clientele is old people, the food is average...Los Pollos would be a huge step down though, it's more of a fast food place, not a sit down restaurant like St Huberts
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,837
17,311
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Not Canadian but I'm thinking the Swish Chalet has to be an entirely different thing altogether. :)

He's in Timmins. Swiss Chalet didn't bother to setup shop so some local guys setup a knock off and called it Swish Chalet :biggrin:
 

Feneant2

Golden Member
May 26, 2004
1,418
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As long as they keep them separate I'll be happy... I think if they were to re-brand under 1 name I think it would hurt both chains.

St. Hubert has the best sauce, chicken fillets (basically chicken fingers), waffle fries, unlimited coleslaw and great desserts.

Swiss Chalet has much better fries, great ribs and way better specials.

We're lucky in NB as we've always had one in Moncton and Bathurst too for the northern french population.