Vote for the best poutine at 7 Rhode Island and Massachusetts eateries during competition

Attention all fans of poutine: It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Pick up your passport, no government agencies needed. Then travel to seven restaurants and food trucks during the month of March. See, and taste, what Rhode Island and nearby Southeastern Massachusetts have to offer in the world of poutine.

It was a pivot last year when the folks at the Museum of Work & Culture in Woonsocket came up with a way to celebrate the annual Poutine Indulgence without gathering a crowd in Woonsocket for an afternoon's tasting.

It was so successful, with 300 Poutine Passports sold, that they are doing it again as a month-long event. Buy a passport for $15 and head to the seven participating eateries to pick up their poutines.

Participants will have until April 1 at midnight to vote for their favorite poutine. The winner will be announced at the museum’s annual Salute to Spring event on Sunday, April 3.

Now in its sixth year, Poutine Indulgence celebrates the traditional Québécois dish of French fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds.

The Poutine Peddlers, Taunton, Mass.

The Poutine Peddlers food truck from Taunton, Massachusetts, is participating for the first time.

Owners Shelley Ring and Kristen Macedo specialize in the dish and offer a number of varieties. They include the "OG," their authentic Canadian poutine made with hand-cut fries, brown gravy, Wisconsin Cheddar cheese curds and scallions.

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But they also have other selections, such as a s'mores version, the Mac Attack with a burger and cheese sauce, and the Porky Pig, a Canadian BBQ fusion with pulled pork and spicy barbecue sauce.

Find them at 239 Broadway, Taunton, Massachusetts, (774) 494-9661, on Facebook, Tuesday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Red's Kitchen, Seekonk, Mass.

Also new this year is Red's Kitchen in Seekonk, Massachusetts. Their French fry game is strong, with an ethnic lineup that includes Portuguese, Greek, Parmesan and Chimichurri versions, plus their Red Hot with pepperoncini. They also have Bacon and Cheese fries. Cheesesteaks and fried chicken are additional menu items.

But you want to know about their poutine. Owner Max Reeves said you can find it at the restaurant at 1314 Fall River Ave., Seekonk, (508) 761-1280, redsri.com. Their hours are Thursday and Friday from 4:30 to 11 p.m.; Saturday from noon to 11 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.

Adeline's Speakeasy Kitchen Bar, Cumberland, RI

Returning for the fifth year is Adeline’s Speakeasy Kitchen Bar in Cumberland, which is eager to defend its title as four-time champion.

Owner Philip Giguere said the competition is a great way to bring people together to enjoy a dish that has deep roots in the community's culture.

"We’ve kept our approach to poutine consistent and have even added it as a regularly available menu item because of our success in this competition," he said.

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Everything for their poutine is made from scratch and includes house-made pork gravy and locally sourced cheese.

"Our poutine is so special because we cook it with extra love," he said.

Their restaurant is at 2352 Mendon Rd., Cumberland, (401) 405-0073, adelinesspeakeasy.com.

Friskie Fries, Providence and Johnston

Friskie Fries has two locations to enjoy their Disco Dottie Poutine, a proven winner. Find the restaurants at 751 Hartford Ave., Johnston, (401) 919-5489, and at 100 Washington St., Providence, (401) 228-2660, friskiefries.com.

KG Kitchen Bar, Providence

KG Kitchen Bar, 771 Hope St., Providence, (401) 331-4100, kgkitchenbar.com, has some creative poutine dishes from owner/chef Kevin Gaudreau.

Their Classic Poutine is topped with crispy bacon lardons, bourbon gravy and Cheddar curds.

Ming's Sando Bar, Pawtucket

There are new digs for Ming's Asian Street Food's Pho'Tine this year at Ming’s Sando Bar at Lorraine Mills, 560 Mineral Spring Ave., Pawtucket, mingsri.com. Their hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Pho'Tine is made with hand-cut potatoes topped with pho gravy, cheese curds, jalapeño, red onion, fried garlic, cilantro and lime.

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Owners Josh Burgoyne and Korn Suom call the competition a win-win "for generating proceeds for the R.I. Historical Society, generating lots of almost free poutine for you, and generating customers for small businesses during the hardest time of the year."

Ciro's Tavern, Woonsocket

Also participating is Ciro’s Tavern, 42 Cherry St. Woonsocket, (401) 769-3330.

Use code 2FOR25 to get a $5 discount on the purchase of two Poutine Passports at shopmowc.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI, MA restaurants participate in Woonsocket food competition