The dining room at Chic Resto Pop, in a former church in Hochelaga, has 250 seats. Last Wednesday, it was almost full.
There was still a queue 45 minutes following the beginning of the lunch service of this organization which offers, among other things, meals at low prices to those who need it.
To provide 300 meals, the kitchen was struggling to keep up. Temporarily, there was no more soup and vegetables at the counter.
“It will be ready in five or ten minutes,” said an attendant.
Customers resigned themselves to a BBQ chicken leg without a side while waiting for the next batch.
Louis-Philippe Messier
The $4.50 meal tray includes salad, bread, soup, main course, dessert, and, for $0.50, a carton of milk.
Why so many people at Mass? Answer: inflation.
New faces
“I’m pregnant, so I eat at a special price of $2.50, my three-year-old daughter eats free and my husband at the regular price of $4.50,” says Catherine Ouellette, a teacher.
She and her husband have been going to Chic Resto Pop for six months: “It helps us a lot to reduce the grocery bill”.
“Since October, we have noticed that people are coming from Montreal North and Rosemont,” says general manager Marc-André Simard.
Marc-Andre Simard
Marc-André Simard, general manager of the restaurant.
The number of meals served during the last quarter increased by 50.5% compared to the same period last year: 10,426 meals instead of 6,927.
“Our food budget of $200,000 for the last year will increase to $297,000 even if we don’t increase our prices. »
“The price of canola oil has tripled, meat donations have dropped and I’m blowing my emergency budget,” laments Clémentine Dunn, the kitchen manager.
Hearty and affordable
“It’s my first meal here and I’m thrilled, I’m here to save money,” says Maryse Choquette, a makeup technician.
“I am going to buy frozen meals for my mother and my sister. »
Ms. Choquette did not manage to finish her notoriously copious $4.50 meal tray: soup, salad, bread, dessert, plate with meat, starch and vegetables.