LaRuelle: Villeray’s new Colombian-inspired counter

Parc Jarry has a new neighbour since September 24th, the épicerie LaRuelle. A fusion of Canadian and Colombian gastronomy, this small épicerie and café is a great destination for Latin-influenced comfort food.

Jorge Vergara, owner and chef of LaRuelle, has embarked on a project that is less common in Montreal. According to him, his beloved neighbourhood of Villeray lacked diversity in its gastronomic offerings. The neighbourhood was ready for something new, in this case a Latin grocery store. 

LaRuelle wears many hats: small grocery store, café, counter, and sandwich shop. It’s a place where you’re sure to find something to satisfy your taste buds. Inside, you’ll find an amalgam of unique products that are hard to find anywhere else in town. What’s more, Jorge and his team prepare homemade products to bring home or to enjoy across the street in Jarry Park. 

Local inspiration

As Jorge explains, in Montreal, our alleys are like extensions of our homes, which is where the inspiration for the name came from. In fact, LaRuelle is an affordable place that was developed with the families of its neighbourhood and community to offer them fresh, local food. As for the warm atmosphere, we owe it to Jorge himself and Momo Design who created the decor we are lucky enough to enjoy.

His Latin influences, particularly Colombian and Mexican, are well felt, but Quebecois gastronomy also has a place of choice in the kitchen. For LaRuelle’s menu, Jorge was inspired by the different culinary experiences he has had in his career as a chef. A master of sandwiches, his briskets are well-stocked and the areperas are faithful to those savoured in South America. On Sundays, Jorge sometimes gets carried away with his creativity to offer unique burgers. You’ll also be pleased to know that the Philly Cheese Steak is also on the menu, a dish that is hard to find in Montreal. LaRuelle has a nice rhythm with comforting heart-warming food and a focus on local ingredients.

LaRuelle plans to include some microbrewery beers in the near future to broaden its offer and to accompany their dishes. A good craft beer will certainly be a nice addition to complement Jorge’s homemade dishes. 

Once again, Villeray has added a gourmet address to its growing directory!

Written by Britanny Clarke
Photography by Alison Slattery — 

Last update: September 14, 2022

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