LAist: Canadian Cafe, Eh?

Ell

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:25:42 -0800

I actually thought about poutine every day the last time I was in LA, and proudly told everyone about it. They were pretty disgusted, which I guess is fair. I heard about two places that would have it (this and Dusty's), but unfortunately did not get a chance to go. I didn't know that all we ate up here was diner food, though. And in regards to Canadian cultural identity....I love my Timmy Ho's and Hockey Night in Canada, I say "eh", I read my Coupland, and I think my hybrid Ontario/California accent is kind of hot. Want me to mail you some ketchup chips, Lindsay?

Jon

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:24:49 -0800

Wait, you had poutine from McDonalds and based your opinion on that? That's a tragedy man... you really should try some proper poutine before you pass judgment! It's fattastic!

tess

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:03:52 -0800

I've learned so much about my own culture by leaving it. I don't say ABOOT, but I do say ROOF and HOOF instead of RUFF and HUFF. What about beaver tails? And Tim Horton's Coffee? Pets de Soeurs!? ps. French Canadian culture is a huge part of Canadian culture, just as much, if not more, than the rest of our colonizers. Our differences from one coast to the other, combined with our constant questioning of identity from a subjective and objective point of view are an inherent part of Canadian identity and culture. And whether we like to admit it or not, separatism is a large part of that. Your comment is not racist - just opinionated. It merely highlights a huge part of Canadian identity and the politics surrounding it.

Elise

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 19:19:50 -0800

I have a great recipe for butter tarts...maybe we will have to do a regular Canadian column, Lindsay???

catlipswe

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:04:17 -0800

MARMITE

lindsay william-ross

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:51:00 -0800

my grandmother once wrapped and mailed me a box of Shreddies as a Christmas gift. you are not alone in the insanity.

wskrz

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:29:26 -0800

I'll add Coffee Crisp chocolate bars, ice wine, dulse, butter tarts and Jos Louis' to your list there, elise. I'd be there in a heartbeat! That's definitely gravy in that picture. Stephie's right - way too thick and not red enough, not to mention there aren't any little flecks of spice in there that make Swiss Chalet sauce so delectable. Of course, give it a couple more months and the US dollar will be on par with the Canadian loonie. It's almost there already ($0.94 the other day) I just came back home from a trip to Canada loaded to the brim with Ketchup chips, Coffee Crisp bars (thank the gods for Costco!), Kraft Dinner, Shreddies and Habitant Pea Soup. US Customs thinks I'm nuts!

catlipswe

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:02:37 -0800

omg, or what about penguins!!? (the chocolate bar, not the animal) frozen penguins....mmm

lori

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:54:33 -0800

for the sentimental value alone, it might be worth a visit. Swiss Chalet sauce brings back vivid memories of my childhood! I'd love some Fudgeos right now!

BigTex

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:39:51 -0800

Last time I checked people from Quebec were not their own race. I don't like ignorant people (not a race either). Canadian cultural identity is something most Canadians grapple with. Those stereotypes are only reinforced as many grab hold of them because they want to grab hold of something, anything. But many stereotypes are there for a reason and many of the ones concerning Canada ring true- very proud of the beer, hockey, and...poutine. Stereo types work both ways, try being an American in Canada!

lindsay william-ross

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:18:58 -0800

In a restaurant review, yes, I will leave my opinion about the Quebecois' separatist movement aside. In fact, I said nothing about the Quebecois people, except that I will say nothing about them, regardless of my personal stance. Which you still don't know. Because I didn't say it. I fear your concern is both heavy-handed and misplaced. Racist? Je ne pense pas, mon ami.

A concerned quebecois reader

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:06:40 -0800

"I will leave my feelings about Jewish people in general aside" "I will leave my feelings about Black people in general aside" "I will leave my feelings about Arab people in general aside" Sounds racist? That's exactly what you said about the quebecois people. Why would it be ok for you to say this about the quebecois? It makes you seem very narrow-minded and racist.

sam

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:56:51 -0800

tim hortons?

lindsay william-ross

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:18:07 -0800

Canadian/British chocolate bars (like Smarties, Aero, Crunchie, and my fave--Coffee Crisp) can be found at most British food shops, like the one next to the Robin Hood Pub. Oh man, HICKORY STICKS!!!! But my ABSOLUTE top pick: Ketchup Potato Chips. Drool!

stephie

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:55:53 -0800

Ugh, that is NOT Chalet Sauce! That looks like gravy or pudding or something... Chalet Sauce is supposed to be watery, like delicious brown broth. You should have someone send you powdered Chalet Sauce from the grocery store. And St. Hubert gravy, 3-packs of Reese's cups, and (if they're still impossible to find down there) Hickory Sticks & Ringolos.

Elise

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:16:07 -0800

The "upscale" grocery on Franklin (I get them all mixed up - they are all like Gelson's to me) has Fieulle d' erables! Most candy (and Lyle's golden syrup...forgot that one - on Indian fry bread) is at Cost Plus or the Irish Shop.

Adam

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:11:42 -0800

I wonder if I can pay the bill in Canadian Tire dollars.

Carrie

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:00:22 -0800

Poutine! I've been dying to try that.

catlipswe

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:56:54 -0800

if they serve coffee crisp and crunchie bars, i'm in

Raul

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:56:17 -0800

I've been there. Their poutine is quite good, but really there's not a lot of difference between American and Canadian food.

lindsay william-ross

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:49:39 -0800

i think i will have to make a batch of nanaimo bars...man those are good. i would totally eat at your canadian restaurant, especially for the tourtiere, which we make/eat on christmas eve annually. it's killer reheated christmas morning with some scrambled eggs and HP sauce. mmmm feuille d'erables! good call, elise.

elise

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:39:26 -0800

No beer? They cannot be real Canadians. They are faking you out. Did you ask them to pronounce "ABOUT" to verify citizenship? The menu when I open my Canadian Restaurant: High Test Beer Waffles and Back Bacon Tortierre Moose Stew Alberta Angus Choke cherry jelly Saskatoon Pie Nanaimo Bars Feulle d' Erables Ruffles Cookies, Orange Smarties, McKintosh Toffee, Rothmann's cigarettes, Old English Vinegar chips and C&Cs.