Review #75 - Enfield Big Stop

Enfield Big Stop
Variety: Diner
Address: 6757 Highway 2
Date Visited: Saturday, December 10, 2016
Orders: Chicken Finger Poutine

Taste: 6 + 6 = 12/20
Portion Size: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Presentation: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Value: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Service: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Bonus: 1
Minus: 2
Final Grade: 73% (Good)

(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)

Notes: Apparently, the thing to do in Enfield is to visit the Big Stop. Everyone was there, and the lineup was huge. However, this well-oiled machine was incredibly efficient at getting people in and out, and we only had to wait a couple of minutes.

The old Big Stop was torn down a few years ago when this new version was built. It looks like a cavernous wood cabin attached to a gas station, but feels surprisingly like home inside. They also had a lanky teenager playing holiday classics on a keyboard, which added to the vibe. So, bonus point for atmosphere.

T has fond, nostalgic feelings about the Big Stop poutine, but heading in, also had a craving for chicken fingers. Lo and behold, the special of the day was Chicken Finger Poutine, so we both ordered it - although J was tempted by the Club Sandwich.

Despite the size of the crowd, the food was served quickly. We received large piles of crinkle cut fries, which tasted as though they came right out of the deep freezer. The gravy was tasty, but instead of cheese curds, it was covered in shredded mozzarella. So, it wasn't a "real" poutine, but it was ok and there was a lot of it. The chicken fingers, however, were very small and overcooked - hence the lower score on the "portion size" and the minus points - chicken fingers shouldn't crunch or taste like that.

Because there were so many fries, we were too full at the end to order pie, which is a Big Stop specialty, and we were kicking ourselves a short while later. Truthfully, some of the day's shortcomings would have been forgotten had we topped it off with a nice slice of lemon meringue.

Final Verdict: It's usually pretty good, so pass on the Chicken Finger Poutine and try something else.