What to Eat in Canada: The Canuck Cuisine

The longer I’m a Canadian expat, the longer my list grows when people ask me: What is Canadian food? One example, I often share, is the strange concoction of celery, peanut butter, and raisins, a common kindergarten snack which most Canadian children are familiar with. It’s called it “Ants on a log”, for reasons you may guess. And rest assured, it’s more delicious than it sounds. 

When discussing Canadian cuisine at large, it is important to note that Canada is an extremely big country. Therefore, it’s probably easier to think of Canada as three or four countries combined. What Canadians eat in French Canada (Quebec), for example, can be vastly different than what west-coast Canadians eat —or those in the prairies, or even the Maritimes (east coast). And northern Canada? I couldn’t tell you. I don’t know any of it. Literally Nunavut.

This article will attempt to describe some of the uniquely Canadian items that visitors should try and try to find. Bear in mind, however, that the typical diet of most Canadians consist of other national dishes, including Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Ethiopian, and of course, American items. I will do my best to represent the cuisine that is uniquely Canadian.

Poutine 

Right off the bat, the most suggested Canadian meal is poutine. Poutine is the marriage of French fries, gravy, and fatty cheese-curds. Nowadays, there are many versions –far beyond its original trifecta. It’s delicious, fatty, and even more mouthwatering with a beer in hand. When traveling the world, poutine is often the lone soldier that is meant to represent all Canadian food and culture. God bless it.

Maple Syrup

The other obvious item that epitomizes Canadian cuisine is maple syrup. This lip-smacking condiment always accompanies a Canadian breakfast table when there are pancakes, waffles, or French toast. If ever I’m abroad eating pancakes and someone presents corn syrup, instead of maple syrup, my soul cries and a Canadian angel in heaven loses its wings. It’s not ok. There is no substitute than real maple syrup from Quebec. Tell Aunt Jemima to go f@$k herself.

Even if it’s not breakfast time, maple syrup is a great way to sweeten coffee, bacon, ice cream, granola, or add to recipes, such as cookies or muffins. You can also stir it with butter and make your own jar of “maple butter”, to be used like butter. There is also a variety of hard candies made almost entirely of maple syrup. Unless you want to purchase pretty looking souvenirs for gifts, I suggest buying maple syrup from a large department store, such as Safeway or Walmart, where it is far less expensive. 

Montreal Bagel

Once poutine and Maple Syrup have been given their rightful recommendations, even many Canadians draw a blank as to what to suggest next. If you’re in Montreal, however, you will certainly be led towards a Montreal bagel. It’s a wood-fire baked testament of Quebec’s Jewish presence. Eventually it spread throughout Canada.

Tim Horton’s Restaurant (a.k.a. Timmy’s)

No matter where you are in Canada, however, you are never far away from a Tim Hortons. Named after a retired hockey player, this franchise transformed itself from what used to feel like a smokey, rather dim truck-stop type “diner” to the neon-lit commercial institution that it is today. Whereas in the States, there is a cultural boundary between Democrats and Republicans, in Canada the cultural divide is between Starbucks drinkers —and Timmy patrons. It is generally agreed upon that Timmy’s food is much better and affordable than Starbucks. Typical items include donuts, bagels (look out for a Montreal bagel!), and muffins, while the menu is always expanding. The American equivalent is probably Krispy Kreme, but given how much Canadians genuinely love Timmy’s, I bet there are any American franchises that command the brand-loyalty than Tim Horton’s enjoys in Canada.

A&W’s (or “A&Dubs”)

Similarly, the Canadian equivalent of McDonalds is A&W’s. Originally an American franchise (until 1972), this burger-joint has been embedded into the Canadian fabric like both Wayne Gretzky and Terry Fox. Named after the surnames of its two founders (Allen and Wright), A&W’s became primarily known for its Root Beer floats (ice cream soda). Nowadays, A&W’s is marketed as an ethical business, which purports to sell animal products from healthy, qualities sources. That aside, it’s damn delicious. Should I mention A&W’s sells poutine?

Nanaimo Bars

Named after the west coastal city, this familiar dessert is a piece of Harbor City heaven. These little dessert “sandwiches” are often associated with Christmas candy, but they are available all year-round. Nanaimo bars are identified by the layer of bright colored frosting (usually yellow) sandwiched between an upper crust of chocolate, which sits on a sexy foundation of hardened graham cracker crumbs and/or coconut and/or nuts. They are extremely sugary, but the volcanic surge of insulin is worth it!

In a similar vein, look out for butter tarts, which are often sold in the same areas as Nanaimo bars.

Apple Pie

Readers of Innernational Travel should know what apple pie is. If not, shame on you. What isn’t commonly known, however, is that apple pie is Canadian —in contrast to the popular phrase: “It’s as American as apple pie!” Take that, Trump.

Bannock and First Nation Foods

An article about Canadian cuisine would be remiss if it didn’t acknowledge some First Nation staples. As mentioned in the Calgary article, though Canada’s indigenous population may call themselves “Indians” and are sometimes branded “Aboriginals” or “Natives”, the current politically correct term is First Nations.

When discussing First Nations food, the first item that often comes to mind is bannock: a type of fried, fluffy bread. Though technically, bannock originated in Scotland —adopted by Canada’s Métis population, the association with bannock and First Nations continues. Unfortunately, it is unlikely you will see them in stores or restaurants.

Nowadays, the typical diet of First Nations is similar to everyone else in Canada, that is, a hodgepodge of international dishes. Exceptions may be found within the First Nation “reserve” settlement areas, where many traditional customs are preserved. Still, if you are lucky, you may stumble upon Three Sister Soup in a cafe, which traditionally consists of corn, beans, and squash. 

Canadian Candy and Snacks

This section is for those who want to make a strategic search for all candies and snacks that are specifically Canadian. If your keen towards chocolate bars, look out for Skor, Bounty, Crispy Crunch, Mr. Big, and Coffee Crisp. In terms of potato chips, keep an eye out for Old Dutch (the most iconically Canadian company), and Kettle chips. Lay’s, an American-based company, remains one of Canada’s favorite brands. 

Brands aside, there is an interesting variety of potato chip flavors that Canadians uniquely enjoy. Many companies, for instance, offer chips with poutine flavor. What is more surprising, however, is the uniquely Canadian obsession of Ketchup-flavored chips —which never took off in the States. Similarly, Canadians have also embraced “all-dressed” and “dill pickle” flavors with near religious fervor, to the bafflement of the southern neighbours below. 

Caesar Cocktail

Let’s conclude with an alcoholic drink. When you ask a Canadian (especially a Calgarian) about Canadian beverages, they are quick to say the world-famous Caesar cocktail. Basically, a Caesar is a Bloody Mary —with Clamato (clam) instead of tomato juice. If you aren’t familiar with either drink, a Caesar is a red alcoholic beverage, decorated with various vegetables, such as celery, cherry tomatoes or asparagus. The rim of the glass is often dipped in celery salt, hanging with a slice of lime. For good measure, there is also vodka, Worcestershire, and even hot sauce. 

As legend goes, a bartender at Calgary’s Caesar restaurant, had run out of tomato juice and famously experimented with Clamato, instead. Other historians claim that it was the Italian-Canadian owner of the Caesar restaurant, who introduced the drink as a way to honor the restaurant’s Italian cuisine. In either case, May 24 (long weekend) has officially been dubbed as Canada’s National Caesar Day. Hail Caesar!