I’ve had poutine many, many times. Very common here in VT, and we go up to Montreal 2-3 times per year. Most restaurants serve it there. The worst poutine I’ve ever had, BY FAR, was at a casino restaurant in Ottawa. The fries were horribly mushy, the gravy flavorless, and the cheese looked more like grated cheese curds. Flavorless.
I couldn’t even take 3 bites and I was starving.