Canadians have the best food, eh?
Internationally, Canada’s reputation isn’t necessarily grounded in its cuisine. Often summed up as “similar to American”, this assumption masks the Great White North’s unique and unforgettable culinary innovations and traditions. Some Canadian specialties include the following:
A mound of fries, covered in cheese curds, melted by hot gravy. Sound good? It is. This fast food classic was created in the 1950s, and has evolved a wealth of delicious variations. If you plan on partying late, nothing hits the spot and starts the recovery process better. Greasy and grand.
A popular creation from the 1930’s, Nanaimo bars are three layers of heaven: a chocolate and coconut crumb base, a flavored custard middle, and a thick chocolate top. What’s not to love? Pull up your view of the sea or the mountains and dig in.
“Râpée” meaning “grated”, this savoury casserole is said to have originated in the 1700s, though its origins may lie in German Europe. Take chicken or pork broth, add meat and onions, and serve within layers of grated potatoes to warm your hungry heart. Home-cooked is the way to go, if possible.
General Canada
Some foods can be found Canada-wide. No matter where you land, you’re bound to find some of the following:
A light-testing soda like no other. Great on its own, but also mixes nicely with a Canadian rye (whiskey) Note to the British: Ginger Ale is NOT the same as Ginger Beer!
Liquid heaven. A staple for pancakes and waffles, it can be made and remade into a large variety of sugary treats. Place a popsicle stick in the snow, and pour hot maple syrup over it. Once the syrup cools and hardens around the stick, you’re good to go with a sweet popsicle treat.
Canada’s got some of the best meat in the world. Never mind the variety of game possibilities (including Caribou - yum!), but Canada’s beef quality is second to none. Sink your teeth into a friendly burger.
Hmmm Poutine sounds good but seems to be stodgy no?
Ah! How could you omit perogies from the list? While perhaps not distinctly Canadian, we sure do love the suckers…
- Beaver Tails (fried dough not the real thing)
- Montreal Bagels
- Back Bacon/Peameal Bacon (Canadian Bacon for the americans)
- Salt & Vinegar Chips (british maybe?)
- Funnel Cakes
- Smarties/Rountree Chocolate
- Butter Tarts
- French Onion Soup
Hodgepodge! It’s a vegetable chowder made when the first baby veggies are first harvested. I think it’s a Maritime thing…
Aren’t Bloody Caesars a Canadian drink?
Mennonite farmer’s sausage… mmmmmmmm.
“Beaver Tails” aren’t really Canadian- you’ll find them at just about any carnival with different names like “Elephant ears” or “Fried Dough Chunks.
Poutine is the best stuff on earth. It also will give you an instant heart attack.
Nanaimo bars are good- but most coffee-shop nanaimo bars aren’t made with custard, they’re made with .. some confusing and disgusting other substance. Bleh.
Don’t forget Ketchup-flavored (flavoured?) potato chips.
Oh my FSM, no donair? What kind of monster are you?!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_Donair
The BEST OF ALL……..MOOSE MILK!!!! The prefect Grey Cup beverage. I’d list the ingredients but, they are a closely guarded National Secret. You haven’t lived until you’ve had Moose Milk. Truly the nectar of the Gods.
Rappier is the most disgustingly awful crap I’ve ever had (and I’ve had lots of weird things around the world). It’s not potatoes, but potatoes from which everything but the starch has been removed, creating a glutenous, stomach quivering, gag inducing mess, that doesn’t have to be thrown up to look good.
At a recent wedding in NS, the party featured five different varieties of this crap.
But hey, poutine is great.
cod au gratin… soo soo good.
also toutons,
and fish ‘n brewis.
mac and cheese
tim hortons coffee
aqnd donuts
French Canadian sugar pie… Tarte a la Sucre… mmmmm
no wonder canadians are looking more and more like mid-western muhrikans
Blueberry Grunt. It’s like a soft tea biscuit with blueberries and whipped cream piled high. And c’mon - you HAVE to love the name
moui je les gouterai bien c’est belles huitres la
par contre la poutine ben heu arf trop lourd pour moi je préfère des french fries and ketchup tout bête
Ummm.. Hello! Ketchup Potato Chips!!!
I am shocked that Tim Hortons coffee didn’t make your list. The ones you did mention however are great! I like how you have included Canadian Dry. It’s shocking how hard it is to find a good quality ginger ale in the U.S. The best I’ve had down there was home made in an Italian restaurant in San Francisco.
Mmm… poutine.
Don’t forget that classic canadian beverage the Caesar!
What about just chips(fries) and vinegar?
Don’t forget tourtiere and sugar pie! Also there’s this fruit topping called “coolie” (in french) that’s kinda like a fruit syrup that you use in breakfast. Also blueberry pie.
Tourtiere
Cretons
dude toutons may be just fried breads but they are delicious.
A few more:
Fries and mayo!
Smoked salmon (Indian Candy variety)
Speaking of…. salmonberries!
Whales Tails mmmmmmmm
Some of the best ales on the planet
Seal Flipper Pie. (cough*gag*cough)
Donairs, best drunk food ever. Pretty rough the next day though
Canadian Cheddar - in particular Old Balderson (the older the better but the more expensive) - actually better than any Cheddar I have eaten in UK
Ginger Beef a great now classic chinese canadian dish… origin Calgary
Saskatoon Pie
I’ve eaten all over the world - trust me most of this stuff is really good!
Just don’t try pemmican…ick!
gotta love Canada eh?
for all living in Canada including me
How about Ketchup chips or kit kat bar?
Nanaimo Bars are so good, but they are not from Nanaimo,BC….but still so good!
from:the island
Seconding Jay’s comments - how could you forget Montreal bagels?
I’m canadian and our food sucks. Actually, most countries food do except France.
Hey there! Don’t forget this can be washed down with some Grasshopper wheat beer from Alberta or Blanche de Chambly from Québec. If wine is your will, try something from Mission BC, the Niagara bench or Rodrigues “berry” lovely wines from the Avalon in Newfounldand and Labrador.
Blueberry ice cream from Coaticook Dairy in Coaticook Quebec.
Blueberry ice cream from Coaticook Dairy in Coaticook Quebec.
and yes of course montreal bagels (St. Viateur).
Because all other bagels are really only “rolls with holes”.
How did I forget the Smoked Arctic Char from Iqaluit Enterprises in Iqaluit or Muskox Steaks and Burgers, the best tasting and red meat.
mmmm… candied salmon….
soupe aux gourganes!
Having a serious nanaimo bar craving over here!
Ketchup Chips are another Canadian delicacy…
Canada Dry is now owned by an American company (Cadbury-Schwepps). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Dry
Timbits not making the list? I know they tiny but C’mon gotta remember those! I do…
Go to King Slice on Bloor West near Dundas West metro around noon order a Pizza and you will know what a crafted pizza is. Looking around I found a really good variety of affordable food in friendly places. Food was delightful and authentic Canadian cookies with Maple Syrup is something I enjoyed and of course you need to develop a taste. Why am I forced to buy Beer in funny Govt. stores? This is ridiculous about Canada. I like bitters and ales and Canada has little or no choice now.If they allow Micro Breweries to make and sell it will be so popular that all canned and flat stuff will disappear from the market.
Junk Food:
Caramilk
Mr. Big
Coffe Crisp (although the true fan can find them in odd places in the states)
Hawkins Cheesies
Corn Pops are NOT the same in the states!
‘Dad’s’ cookies?
Taco Bell Fries Supreme
Red River
Fries and gravy
Thrills gum
Um, what about pea soup?
The Habitants of Quebec dined on this, did they not? Baked Beans?
Tarte a Sucre, as was mentioned before (sugar pie), What about fiddle head ferns, served on the East Coast with your lobster?
Canadians are the worst.
^^^^^Not hard to tell you are an arrogant American….
Whats up with no Donair on the list????
MY FAVORITE CANADIAN FOODS ARE COFFEE MILK, PUDING, AND KETCHUP & MAPLE CHICKEN FRICASEE. SO GOOD FOR SHOW.
COD AU GRATIN AND TOUSTOUS SOUND GOOD. I’M GOING TO MAKE ME SOME OF THOSE.
PEA SOUP? MY GRANDMOTHER MIGHT LIKE THAT. I’LL TELL HER TO MAKE SOME FOR MOI.
Try bacon with maple syrup.
Best. Breakfast. Ever.
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
Heyy Ya’lll I live in courtenay B.C. and i live about a 40 min drive away from were the nanimo bar originated ya go nanimo ….. Sup p-ville drafters ahahahahahahahahahahahah
Chicken Flavored Potato Chips, I saw on sale in Noofie department of Superstore in Ft Mac.. I heard they come from No-funds-land, like everything else up there. Ft Mac, Capital City of dat place..
what about saskatoon pie, or saskatoon syrup, or choke cherry syrup. (no i am not from sask, i’m from ab)
all that stuff looks disgusting….
are all the canadian vegetarians living in Halifax?