La Banquise first opened in May of 1968 as a dairy bar. Its founder, Mr. Pierre Barsalou, a neighbourhood fireman, did over the menu and in September the dairy bar became a snack bar that was open 24 hours. Back then you could eat excellent hot dogs and French fries. During the 1980's the first poutine was offered. There were two choices of poutine on the menu: the Classical and the Italian poutine.

In 1994, the daughters of Mr.Barsalou, Annie and Marie-Josée, took over the family business. Quickly, they realized the wonders of poutine! They increased the varieties of poutine being offered. The «Galvaude» (chicken and peas) and the «Duleton» (minced meat and sautéed onions) made their entry in the menu.

In 1999, Marc Latendresse took over Marie-Josée while the poutine market is still booming. You could now find 23 kinds of poutine that could be individually tailored to client's taste.

In the summer of 2006, la Banquise made important renovations and expanded considerably. Today, it's more then a simple «poutine place», it's a pretty outside terrace, beers from microbreweries and a complete menu of excellent breakfasts.