One of Quebec City’s best-known fast-food institutions has officially arrived in Montreal.
On Monday, August 10, 2026, Ashton opened its first restaurant on the Island of Montreal inside the food court at Complexe Desjardins in the heart of downtown.
Montrealers showed up for the highly anticipated opening. During the busy lunch hour, a large crowd gathered around the new location, along with members of the media covering Ashton’s long-awaited arrival in the city.
Ashton’s famous poutine arrives in Montreal
For many Quebecers, the Ashton name is closely connected to poutine.
French fries, cheese curds, gravy and a variety of toppings have helped build the restaurant’s reputation throughout the Quebec City region.
Montrealers can now experience those classics without leaving the island.
On opening day, customers lined up to get their hands on the chain’s famous poutine and explore the rest of the Ashton menu.
Roast beef sandwiches make their Montreal debut
Poutine isn’t the only Ashton specialty getting attention.
The chain’s roast beef sandwiches, another longtime menu staple, are now available for the first time from an Ashton restaurant located on the Island of Montreal.
For Montrealers who previously knew Ashton mainly by reputation or from visits to the Quebec City area, the Complexe Desjardins opening offers the opportunity to discover much more of the menu.
A packed opening day
Ashton’s arrival clearly caught the attention of Montrealers from its first hours of operation.
During the lunch rush, MTL TIMES observed a significant crowd of customers and media gathering at Complexe Desjardins.
Some already knew Ashton well, some came specifically for the poutine and others were discovering the Quebec chain for the first time.
The atmosphere made the opening feel more like an event than the launch of another food court restaurant.
Why Complexe Desjardins?
The new restaurant is located inside the Complexe Desjardins food court in the heart of Montreal’s Quartier des spectacles.
The location puts Ashton within walking distance of several major downtown destinations:
- Place des Arts
- Place des Festivals
- Quartier des spectacles
- Sainte-Catherine Street
- Complexe Desjardins
The location gives Ashton direct access to downtown workers, students, tourists and the thousands of visitors who pass through the Quartier des spectacles during Montreal’s major festivals and events.
Ashton continues its expansion
The Montreal opening marks another important step in the Quebec company’s expansion.
After building its reputation primarily in the Quebec City region and expanding to Mirabel on the North Shore, Ashton has now crossed a symbolic milestone by opening directly on the Island of Montreal.
The new restaurant introduces the brand to a much larger audience while bringing one of Quebec City’s most recognizable fast-food names into the Montreal market.
Quick information
- Restaurant: Ashton
- Opening date: August 10, 2026
- Location: Complexe Desjardins
- Area: Quartier des spectacles, Montreal
- Style: Quebec fast food
- What to try: poutine, roast beef sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs and other Ashton classics
MTL TIMES was there
MTL TIMES visited Complexe Desjardins for Ashton’s first day in Montreal.
During the lunch hour, one thing was already clear: Montrealers were curious to finally experience this Quebec City institution for themselves.
The big question now is simple: can Ashton win over Montreal with its famous poutine?
Judging by the attention surrounding its first day, the restaurant has already succeeded in getting Montreal talking.
Follow MTL TIMES for our coverage of the opening and more Montreal food discoveries.
