‘This mathematically works’: Montreal restaurant offers monthly subscription for unlimited pasta

La Popessa – a downtown Montreal restaurant at the Palais des congrès – offers a monthly subscriptions at reduced prices amid growing food insecurity struggles.

Owner Abrar Mahmud Alvalla and his wife Naba Ahsan Alvalla say this initiative is meant to help those who struggle with access to food as costs continue to rise.

“This is an opportunity to have a net positive result on your wallet, I’m not trying to add to your restaurant bill I’m actually trying to take away from your grocery bill,” said Abrar. “This mathematically works, so Montreal the missing variable is you.”

He added that the subscription based system is an excellent business model though saying the X factor is he needs the community to believe in it as well.

The average monthly grocery cost for a single Montrealer is between $350-500 with the restaurants unlimited pasta pass for adults being just a fraction of that at $200.

Subscription prices vary and are available for adults, students, seniors, and at family rates — with many residents and homeless people of the surrounding area coming and paying their membership to ensure a full month of food security.

“It’s really useful for those who are making a true effort to stay off the street because one less thing to worry about,” said Naba.

“They can guarantee themselves food for 30 days that’s substantial and $200 a month for them it goes a long way,” added Abrar.

They note more and more Montrealers are resorting to food banks – In 2024, food banks in Montreal said more than 15 per cent of the population in the city were suffering from food insecurity.

“It’s a lower price for students because we understand that students are on more of a budget, the hope is to get students into the restaurant so that you don’t have to worry about where your food is coming from,” explained Naba.

Some recurring customers often come from the old brewery mission down the street.

“I can’t provide a roof over their heads but at least I can provide some sort of warmth that comes from within,” Abrar said.

Located just steps away from metro station Place D’Armes, Abrar says they want to build a sense of community by offering events almost daily.

‘Pop-Maison’ is a space for Montrealers to connect and organize events ranging from public speaking sessions, board game nights, and their French-language program ‘Pâtes & Parle’ which they say has over 750 members.

“It’s a wonderful community,” Abrar said. “People who buy this monthly plan come to that meeting, they meet new people and they get the pasta.”

“The number one feedback we had when we introduced the [subscription] plans in May was that this place is too far. I said alright if it’s too far let’s make this place worth coming to,” he explained.

Speaking with their first customer of the day Charlotte Poitras — she notes that this cost effective plan is hugely beneficial for her lifestyle and others struggling with rising food costs.

“Since I live alone it costs a lot to get groceries so it’s pretty important for me to get pastas for a cheaper price,” she said. “I’ve been here every day since since Wednesday so it’s like my fifth time here and all of the pastas I have so many options on the menu.”

Abrar and Naba said they hope to one day expand the franchise across Canada and in multiple locations across the city of Montreal. As of now they have 10 recurring subscribers with their first goal aiming to reach 35 per month.

“It’s really good for me to come here every day,” said Poitras.

“Who could say no to unlimited pastas?”