Food
Armenian Pizza at Arouch
This is the first part of a two-part write-up on my culinary adventures in that far-off land known as Laval. But don’t let the distance dissuade you from making the journey; the food that I got to sample there rivals most of the meals I’ve been served all over the island of Montreal.
The first food stop was Arouch, a small but modern building right off the busy Saint-Martin Ouest. Arouch dishes out Armenian pizza, also known as Armenian lahmajoun. What is exactly Armenian pizza? Pretty much the tastiest and most satisfying snack food I’ve had the pleasure of eating.
A meat topping consisting of minced beef, chopped onions, parsley and spices is spread on top of very thin circles of dough. These little pita-thin pizzas are then baked, the crust nice and crispy at the edges, malleable and soft in the middle. 
After squeezing some fresh lemon over the pizza, fold or roll it and these warm and slightly spicy pizzas are ready for eating. Made with what must be very lean beef, these are neither oily nor heavy, and with the thin crust, they make for a very light snack.
For about $10, you can bring home a box of twelve pizzas, and I’ve been shown a variety of ways to enjoy them. I like them straight out of the fridge, nice and cool, but they are also great toasted up and rolled around some halved pickles or tomato pieces, and even dipped in plain yogurt (to curb the spice).
Though Arouch’s main focus is on these pizzas, a Greek variation of feta and spinach is available, as well as a za’atar (thyme and sesame) and cheese variations. If a full course meal is more what you’re after, Arouch also sells salads, fantastic, unripened cheeses like halloumi, baladi, and akawi - deserving an article all their own! - and drinks (including a salty one that’s basically just yogurt, water, and salt). There are even piles of pastries to choose from for dessert, so all grounds are covered.
Make the trip for the pizza, all the rest is just bonus. If Laval is too far for you to travel to, there’s also an Arouch located on Rue de Liege Ouest. But what are a few kilometers for such refreshingly different, unique and delicious food?
Boulangerie Arouch
3467 Blvd. Saint -Martin Ouest (Laval)
450-686-1092
917 Rue de Liege Ouest (Montreal)
514-270-1092
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There's a baby that'll pop out of me in the next few days, but afterwards I think I'll definitely make the trip to get some of that good stuff you described!
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&;q=917+Rue+de+Liege+Ouest&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1+Ouest&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&z=14&iwloc=addr&om=1&ll=45.537678,-73.639126&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
Arouch also distributes daily to various grocery stores (like PA on Parc)- available the half douzen. Look in the refrigerated ethic section; toast folded in quarters in your toaster or lay flat in a toaster oven.
I must say that I was quite impressed. the food's good and CHEAP! I walked out with two pizzas and a drink for 5$ tax in! I tried the Armenian meat pizza and the Lebanese herb pizza. real nice.
Definitely puts the *shudddder* McDonald's lunch in perspective.
good luck arouch
and most nutritious food was brought by
immigrants which woke up the meat and potato eating locals on how to eat.
If it weren't for the immigrants these
white bread countries would have died of boredom. Respect the foreigners.
and fattening.
Of course it is heavy enough for a lunch but it is very tasteful and flavored compared to all the other Subways and Quiznoz and cie where you don't even recognize the taste of meat or anything !!
I absolutely LOVE Arouch sandwiches !! Could eat them for any entire week because they have now also so many different choices =D very unique and addictive !
I am from McGill also and I go to the one in Concordia =)) definitely worths the one metro-station travel eh !!