Canadian Comfort Food

[STEbbq]

I was in Toronto last week and hit up some favorites I hadn’t been to in decades.

Man, it was good stuff. I grew up with this food so I dare not recommend it because it could all be terrible, but I love it.

Harvey’s, Timmy’s (no pics) and Swiss Chalet. The holy trinity of Canadian comfort food. Watching them out my toppings on my burger and that greasy fry box is just great. Eating heavily-sauced ribs with the fries just like they tasted 30 years ago plus the little finger bowl. Good stuff. And even an adult maple whiskey sour to go with it all. Inhaled it all as fast as my jaw could open.

Although, like all good former Canadians, I will still never forgive Timmy’s for switching to frozen donuts from those delicious made in store donuts in the late 1990s. Curse them for that.

These Swiss Chalet ribs are what I wanted to smoke when I bought my PBC 10 years ago so credit due for inspiration for my smoking journey.

[STEbbq]

I am sure the ribs were overcooked because the meat just slid right off the bone but the sauce is just fantastic and I just didn’t care. It was delicious and yeah, I totally starved myself all day for this stuff when I was a kid.

[barelfly]

to be able to have the same feeling as when you were a kid eating that goodness….that’s what it’s all about! Thanks for sharing with us!

[DTro]

By the title, I thought you were going to pull out a plate of poutine. Sauced ribs and fries will surely suffice!

[Michael_in_TX]

Toronto is one of my favorite cities in which to have a conference....actually, all of Canada for that matter.

That country knows how to cook and sauce fries.

[HawkerXP]

HHhmmmmm good.

[LA Pork Butt]

Comfort food is comfort food! I grew up with red beans and rice, fried shrimp and oysters, stuffed crab, and gumbo. One of those would be my choice for a last meal. Oh. creole crawfish bisque wasn’t a regular but is awesome. I think the memories associated with food are often of what makes the food special.

[LA Pork Butt]

TripleB if you can get andouille sausage it will add something to the chicken/gumbo. Was it Cajun or Creole gumbo?

[TripleB]

LA Pork Butt Cajun gumbo. I like a deep, dark rich roux and no tomatoes. Also, no Okra. If I had grown up on Okra in my gumbo, I would probably like it. But I did not. I've heard that Okra does not go in Cajun gumbo, just Creole gumbo. But seen a lot of Cajun gumbo recipes with it.

I try to always use Andouille sausage in my gumbo. Sometimes when I get motivated, I make my own Andouille sausage.

I'd love to try your gumbo someday.

[LA Pork Butt]

TripleB Okra came to America from Africa with the slave trade. The African word for okra is gumbo, so technically no okra, no gumbo. LOL

[klflowers]

That's how I feel when I go back to Detroit. My first stop is at a Coney dog place. Usually Duly"s

[ssandy_561]

Growing up around Buffalo NY which is sorta Canada South, I enjoyed the establishments above in the late 80s and early 90s.

I’ll do the same whenever we go bag to western NY to visit family and friends. I’ll get some Mighty Taco, Ted’s Hotdogs and Anderson’s.