Pad Thai instead of poutine: Thai Express gives YUL a stir‑fry option
By the time you reach Thai Express at Montréal–Trudeau (YUL), you’ve probably walked past three places pushing burgers or slices. This is the quick‑service Asian stand‑in: familiar mall‑style pad thai, General Thai chicken, and stir‑fried noodles served in cardboard boxes. Price tier is firmly $ by airport standards, but expect a noticeable markup versus downtown Montréal locations, with mains landing in the CAD $14–$18 range instead of low teens.
Setup is standard Thai Express: order at the counter, watch the wok, wait a few minutes, then take your tray to shared seating nearby. One Google Maps review nails it: “exactly like in the malls – quick pad thai, lots of sauce, nothing fancy.” Portions run on the generous side for an airport, so a full box of pad thai or fried rice can easily carry you through a 3‑hour transatlantic leg.
Food quality tracks the brand: fast and predictable, but not subtle. Multiple reviews mention salty sauces and heavy seasoning, especially on pad thai and General Thai chicken; consider asking them to go easy on the sauce or choose a milder stir‑fry. Spice levels are adjustable from level 1 to 4, but in practice level 2 already feels fairly hot to many casual diners, so start low if you’ve got a 6‑hour flight ahead.
Pricing is the other recurring complaint. Expect at least a CAD $3–$5 bump compared with a Thai Express in the city, and note that soft drinks hover around CAD $4. If you just need something light before a 90‑minute hop to Toronto, splitting one main and adding a small spring roll order keeps the bill closer to CAD $20 for two people.
Practical tip: lines spike around the 17:00–20:00 Europe bank; if you have a 19:30 departure, grab your noodles by 18:30 or risk eating in a rush at the gate.