OK, a few of the small adjustments were easy, like learning that a grilled ham, egg and onion sammich is simply called a "western" for some reason (no cheese, please, and NO ketchup, thank you.)
Some are a little harder to take - like restaurants that close early if they're slow, well ahead of their posted closing time. Since we like to eat late, a couple of ruined date nights taught us to call ahead.
Some are baffling, like the ubiquitous Canadian chain, Boston Pizza. Can someone explain why a restaurant that started in Edmonton is named after a faraway US city known for seafood?
Fun Fact - though they have expanded into the US as "Boston's Gourmet Pizza, with locations across the country, guess which American city does not have any?
Right - If you're in Boston and hankering for "Boston Pizza," the nearest US location is near Philly, but the closest is actually in Quebec. Bring your passport.
If this all sounds like I'm being a typical ugly American - unfairly critical, dismissive, and looking for familiar US comforts while abroad, let me just end on this note:
Regular poutine - french fries topped with melty cheese curds and brown gravy - is freakin' great, even at food trucks or fast-food joints like Harvey's. However -
The 18-Hour Brisket Poutine at Beertown Public House in Waterloo - poutine topped with shredded house-smoked brisket and truffle aoili - is like someone went to heaven and brought back take-out. Paired with local craft-brewed KW Cider - perfection.
Terrific post. Funny and useful both. The poutine looks so itself - a big, fat MESS. Yummmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up, John. And how do I subscribe? I tried but was unsuccessful.
We miss you here in the US.
Thanks Lisa! I just tried the subscribe function, selecting the "atom" option from the drop down, and it worked fine - despite not giving me any kind of confirmation on-screen, it sent the blog posts to my email inbox immediately. Not sure about the other options - I can't edit that function, it's a blogger built-in 'gadget.'
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