As readers of my restaurant stories know very well, the Rôtisserie St-Hubert chain has always been high on my list of dining experiences.
St-Hubert was first established back on September 25, 1951, when Hélène and René Léger opened the debut location at 6355 Saint-Hubert Street in rented space with second-hand equipment and 78 seats. There are now 126 locations across Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick.
My “go-to” spot has long been on Côte des Neiges Road. But four years ago the land where the restaurant sat was repurposed for a residential high-rise building. St-Hubert had to conclude its lease, with a promise to return again at the same location. It took four long years for that to happen, with the official reopening occurring in August 2023. In order to retain a presence in the neighbourhood, a take-out and delivery operation was set up down the street next to the Harvey’s.
Company President Richard Scofield was on hand for an official opening, which included the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon. The latter was most unique, including half a dozen rotisserie chickens on a spit. “We waited impatiently to reopen,” he said. “Every restaurant represents another chapter in the evolution of St-Hubert.”
See my interview with Scofield.
Myléne Vallee is the new manager and she gave me a tour of the facility. It is smaller than the former location, with about 116 seats inside and 32 on the seasonal patio. There is a bar and six flatscreen TVs. A new feature is Le Marché, where you can make an order to go, either at the cash or via an electronic board. There is also a freezer with some St-Hubert products- poutine and tourtiere or braised beef pot pie.
I was happy to drop by for lunch on a warm late August summer day, seated on the patio. Our server Loïc, who came to Montreal to study via Abitibi, helped go over the menu with us. It is important to be aware that this is not the same St-Hubert we grew up with. There are so many choices beyond chicken and ribs.
Loïc started us off with St-Hubert’s trademark coleslaw. My friend enjoyed a garden salad and I opted for the cream of chicken soup.
For the main courses, we went way off the typical St-Hubert map. I had an Angus steak, medium rare, with the classic French fries. It was an excellent piece of meat; not something I would have ever expected to eat at St-Hubert. Myléne told us about the pizza that is cooked on the grill and my friend was intrigued This was another surprise; thin crust and crispy. I was so jealous that I ordered an appetizer version and took it to the office for lunch the following day. It was surprisingly good.
Now St-Hubert never disappoints when it comes to desserts. I went for the sweet desire, the new name given to their beyond-delicious sugar pie. My friend thoroughly enjoyed the millefeuille.
Welcome back to Côte des Neiges St-Hubert! As I told Scofield, it would be terrific to see a restaurant return to the NDG area. They did operate for many years on Sherbrooke Street West, near Cavendish Blvd., where a Pharmaprix now sits.
St-Hubert is owned by Recipe Unlimited Corporation.
The newly reopened St-Hubert is located at 5235, Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges. For more information call 514-394-9352 for the restaurant and 514-385-5555 for delivery. Log on to https://www.st-hubert.com
Of interest: Origin of St-Hubert BBQ Restaurant Rooster Mascot