Inspired by this thread.
I’ve only had poutine once, at the ferry terminal in Tsawwassen. I wasn’t that impressed, but I assume that if I’d had it someplace where they took a modicum of pride in it that it would be a great snack.
But given the choice of poutine or chili-cheese fries, I’ve got to stick with my SoCal roots. 
I’m a Canadian. Poutine.
I also live somewhere where they can’t do poutine right. It makes me sad and desperate. You’d think it would be an easy concept- fries, good gravy, cheese curds. Nope. Processed fries, crappy gravy, shredded cheese. Aagh.
Oh definitely Chili-cheese fries.
To be fair, perhaps I’ve only had Poutine done wrong, since Lissla indicates there is a right way to do it.
American who has never had poutine, but I still choose it.
Chili as an ingredient never makes a food better. It’s best by itself.
They’re both good. Hmm… I think Aerison makes a good point. Chili in and of itself is a great food. When it’s mixed with fries I get the feeling that I’m mixing fries with my chili, or I’m mixing chili with my fries. When I’m eating poutine it’s a dish unto itself. So, poutine it is.
Poutine comes in a plethora of mixtures these days too. Take a look at the menu at this place.
Eating anything at the Tsawassen ferry terminal is iffy at best. I wouldn’t expect them to have decent poutine, and as a life-long west coaster, I’m sure the poutine I’ve had anywhere wasn’t as good as it might be more easterly.
Definitely poutine. Chili is awesome by itself or with cheese, but it doesn’t play too well with fries. Chili-cheese nachos are better than chili-cheese fries, IMO. I don’t think that chili-cheese nachos and poutine compare in as meaningful a way; it’s too dependent on what you’re in the mood for that day.
Poutine, for sure. The only place chili might belong (other than by itself) is on a hotdog (and even there cheese goes nicely with it).
Cheese (the meltier, the better) is also good on a hotdog, or on nachos.
Fries are a poor substitute for tortilla chips.
And Alan Bird is totally right regarding the Tsawassan ferry terminal.
Oh. My. God. I must go.
Oh, and poutine. Chili cheese fries are OK but messy, and I don’t think I’ve ever found a good batch (even though Ben’s Chili Bowl does 'em halfway decent).
I had to look it up on Wikipedia to find out what the hell “poutine” even is, so of course I’ve never had it and am unqualified to vote. I’ve had my share of horseshoes, though.
If the choice is between good poutine and good chili-cheese fries, I’m going with the poutine. A nice gravy and fresh curds? Hell, yeah; no contest.
Faced with mediocre poutine and mediocre chili-cheese fries, I’ll take the chili fries, they’re harder to make offensive. Fast-food chain style fries with that KFC-like instant gravy and mozzarella? I haven’t been drunk enough to try to choke that down since I was in my twenties.
Yeah, they just opened one in Ottawa I tried their Italian poutine. Pretty good.
How about chili-cheese fries with gravy and cheese curds?
This is an excellent point.
I have never had poutine, but I certainly do like all the stuff in it.
Gravy, man, gravy.
Chili-cheese fries. From The Hat!
I knew I could count on you, silenus! 
I just saw poutine on a menu outside a restaurant in downtown Seattle, but I forgot to make a note of where it was. I don’t suppose anybody knows…
Smith in Capitol Hill? They use melted cheese and not cheddar cheese curds and shouldn’t even be called poutine.
I am another person that does not get chili as a condiment. Poutine is interesting. I thought those stands and greasy terminal kiosks were where poutine was mainly offered. I don’t think I ever saw it served at a restaurant.