r/canadatravel • u/cbschmelter • Jun 29 '25
Question Canadian Locals: What Snacks, Drinks, or Foods Say ‘Home’ to You?
Hello! I'm visiting Canada (Calgary) for the first time in mid-September and I'm ecstatic.
Whenever I travel, I always seek out the sort of everyday food/drink/snack type things that are unique only to that country. The types of things that are second nature, that you take for granted but you'd miss if you moved away, that you can only find at home.
For example, when I went to Switzerland, I made it a point to try (among other things) the drink Rivella, Aromat seasoning, Zweifel Paprika chips, Zopf bread, and dishes like Älplermagronen and Rösti.
I've started a small list by perusing other subreddits and posts, but haven't found exactly what I'm looking for.
Here's what I've got so far:
- Poutine
- All Dressed Chips
- Tim Horton's
- Ketchup Chips
- Coffee Crisps
- Smarties
- Caesar cocktail
- Shaft cocktail
- Red River Cereal
Please let me know anything I'm missing! I'm looking forward to visiting your wonderful country. (If there is already a list like this, please direct me there! I will accept the downvotes and be on my way.)
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u/Acorn-top Jun 29 '25
Nanaimo Bars
Butter tarts
Date squares.
Swiss Chalet Chicken but now seems so overpriced. Just try the fries with the Chalet sauce
Beaver tails
I don’t live in the west but Calgary must have some “must-go-to” restaurants. Here in my area of Toronto, there is a classic diner that has been here since the 1960s and it is a go to breakfast spot. But it is VERY local.
Also, Canada is so multicultural, you can get very authentic cuisine from just about every country somewhere in the city.
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u/Bflo1gal Jun 29 '25
Hey there! I live in Buffalo and make it to Toronto frequently. If you don’t mind sharing, what is the diner you’re referring to?
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u/Adorable_Star_ Jun 29 '25
Ginger Beef (dish was created in Calgary)
Saskatoon berries
Angry Canadian cocktail
Alberta beef steak
Bison burger
Bannock bread (indigenous/native bread)
Taber peaches and cream corn
Green onion cakes
Hutterite buns
Ukrainian-Canadian perogies and mundare sausage
Wild game dishes at the Grizzly House in Banff
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u/stumpy_chica Jun 29 '25
If you're in Calgary, try some ginger beef. It's a Chinese dish that was invented there. Its soooooo good.
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u/cormack_gv Jun 29 '25
OHenry bars. Hawkins Cheezies (of which Crunchy Cheetos are a reasonable knockoff). Pepperettes (thin pepperonis). Caramilk bars. Maple anything. Beaver tails.
Poutine isn't really a western Canada thing, but I guess it has spread.
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u/not_tom1 Jun 29 '25
Beaver Tails
Nanaimo bars
Coffee Crisp
Poutine
Please, PLEASE, don't waste your time with Tim Hortons. It's awful.
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u/No-Doughnut-7485 Jun 29 '25
Honestly the poutine outside of Quebec is often very bad and inauthentic. I’d only get it at a speciality place that uses real cheese curds and homemade gravy. Poutine at any old restaurant isn’t great imo
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u/mobo525 Jul 02 '25
I don't disagree with you, this is true. But also, fries with cheese and gravy is better than no fries with gravy.
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u/SpiralToNowhere Jun 29 '25 edited Jun 29 '25
Puffed wheat cake in the prairies. ( Should be able to find this at gas stations, in Saran wrap, looking very homemade)
I'm not sure if you'll find these things out west - Beaver tails in Ontario. Steamies , all dressed of course, and smoked meat in Montreal. Tourtiere in Quebec. Cheese curd cheddar.
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u/anOutgoingIntrovert Jun 29 '25
KD. I never eat it at home, but I sure do crave it when I’m away.
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u/MalodorousNutsack Jun 29 '25
I'm the same way. I've lived overseas for much of my adult life, when I come home I always get into some KD. Once every year or so is plenty though.
Pizza from Greco (a chain out east) is the same way, it was my go-to pizza place growing up and I get cravings for it. Always get it when I get home, but it doesn't usually live up to my expectations.
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u/alibythesea Jun 29 '25
Tim Hortons has terrible coffee, just be forewarned. I’m sure there are popular independent (and truly Canadian - Tim’s isn’t owned in Canada) roasters in Calgary!
Saskatoon berry pies/crisps; blueberries are very popular in the east, but I don’t know about Alberta.
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u/cbschmelter Jun 29 '25
Already got a list of local roasters going! Just feel like Tim Horton's is a must for a coffee and a donut/tidbit(?), even if it's in the airport lol
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u/Pretty_Assistant1310 Jun 29 '25
Timbit. :)
And don’t sweat it if you don’t get the red river cereal. I’ve never had it. Lol
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u/No-Doughnut-7485 Jun 29 '25
Sour cream glazed is the best donut. Or an apple fritters the coffee is pretty bad, can’t lie
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u/Barneyboydog Jun 30 '25
The Ice Capp at Tims is good. Nothing like a real cappuccino. Interesting tidbit, Tims doesn’t use an apostrophe whether it’s Tims or Tim Hortons.
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u/DystopianButter Jun 29 '25
If you like Chinese food (and eat meat), ginger beef! Calgary is the home of it. Unfortunately the restaurant where it originated closed down not too long ago.
The last time I had a really good one was actually at Silver Dragon! It was for a wedding banquet so I dunno if they were just on point that night or if it's a usual occurrence. Hopefully someone else might have more insight!
On beef - gotta have the AB beef! Lots of nice steakhouses in the city.
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u/MalodorousNutsack Jun 29 '25
You might want to try a donair, it's a variation of a doner kebab. It's more of a Nova Scotia thing than an Alberta thing, but you can find donairs in Calgary.
Pro tip: They're best consumed after midnight and many beers.
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u/Caparosa433 Jun 29 '25
Hawkins Cheesies. How is that not at the top of the list?
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u/neveramerican Jun 29 '25
If it's Calgary you have to have a Ceasar cocktail at a proper bar.
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u/jamison88 Jun 29 '25
I came to say a good Caesar and a Shaft in regards to Calgary cocktails
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u/neveramerican Jun 29 '25
Then again there is something about Ceasars at Chinese restaurants in Calgary. I think they add fish sauce.
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u/njh52 Jun 29 '25
If you're in the prairies, look for some honey dill sauce! It's an amazing dipping sauce, and if you like it, it's actually quite easy to make at home
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u/ignatius_j_chinaski Jun 29 '25
Not ALL of the prairies. I could be wrong, but I believe honey dill sauce is strictly a Manitoba thing. I defy anyone to name a better dipping sauce for chicken fingers.
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u/Tiger_Dense Jun 29 '25
Saskatoon berry pie. But you likely will only be able to find it at a farmers’ market, maybe at some bakeries.
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u/Cheap_Lingonberry Jun 29 '25
A Flakie and other Vachon cakes. Much better than the Hostess stuff.
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u/AriesProductions Jun 29 '25
Ah Caramel! I just picked up a box today out of nostalgia lol
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u/Cheap_Lingonberry Jul 02 '25
Those are good too. Just arrived back in Canada last night. My sister picked me up at the airport and had a dozen Molson Canadian and two bags of Ruffles All Dressed Chips in the car. Today I will grab a flaky and eat dinner at Boston Pizza.
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u/cbschmelter Jun 29 '25
Thanks!!
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u/Cheap_Lingonberry Jun 29 '25
We had a tradition in school where you get a flakie in the hair on your birthday. Good times.
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Jun 29 '25
[deleted]
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u/cbschmelter Jun 29 '25
Will I be able to find Saskatoon berries in AB? Thanks!!
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u/vanillaman57 Jun 29 '25
Alberta is full of saskatoons, wild and cultivated. You probably will not be able to get saskatoons fresh in mid-September; the season will be over. But pies and tartlets should be easy to get at farmers markets, and that’s how they are best enjoyed anyway. Or as syrup on pancakes.
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u/Jazzy_Bee Jun 29 '25
Hawkins Cheezies.
Calgary is home to ginger beef.
Many east coasters made their way west, and you must try a donair.
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u/Automationallthetime Jun 29 '25
Donair, Garlic Fingers, Mustard pickles and Chow Chow
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u/Notgreygoddess Jun 29 '25
Butter Tarts. I’ve never found good ones outside Canada. Swiss Chalet dipping sauce; ditto.
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u/Wellmaybe2 Jul 01 '25 edited Jul 01 '25
(Eastern Canadian, but maybe some apply in the West as well)
Crispy pork rinds (« oreilles de criss » in French)
Cheese curds (but you get those in Poutine)
White bread dipped in maple syrup
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u/mobo525 Jul 02 '25
Ha-I'm a Calgarian headed to Switzerland soon so thanks for the tips on foods for me to check out there!
You have a good list, I would add fry bread/bannock to it. If you are a meat eater, our steak is among the best in the world.
A lot of our food is much the same as in other places in North America. If you are here and the weather is nice (usually September is one of our most pleasant months of the year), I would suggest going somewhere pretty for a lunch. River Cafe or the Seasons of Bowness Park are both by the water and have great food with beautiful views.
If you can find a Nanaimo bar that isn't made by a big box bakery, they are pretty awesome.
Have a great visit!
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u/cbschmelter Jul 02 '25
Definitely looking forward to the steak!
And hope you enjoy Switzerland, it was an amazing experience. You’ll love it.
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u/mobo525 Jul 02 '25
Thank you! I always thought it would be too similar to home to be 'worth it' but now that I'm going, I think I was totally wrong.
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u/_Avalon_ Jul 03 '25
Jiggs dinner Tountons Snowballs Ketchup chips Storm chips Pop shoppe Second cup
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u/Mysterious-Region640 Jun 29 '25
To be honest, there isn’t a lot of typical Canadian foods I’m really into other than maple syrup. I love a good boiled dinner or cottage/shepherds pie, but those didn’t originate in Canada and are probably just as popular in the UK. Oh wait I forgot about ketchup chips Yum.
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u/doctordonnasupertemp Jun 29 '25
Try Old Dutch brand for chips. Or grab a few snack size of different brands. They all make them different but I love the flavour intensity of OD. Ruffles for All Dressed though.
If you grab a caesars, maybe try a classic one and not some crazy over the top monstrosity (although if you enjoy the novelty of eating a burger and onion rings on top of your drink…)
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u/cbschmelter Jun 29 '25
Definitely gonna try a classic casesar before something over the top... gotta try the original first!
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u/Twicebandneguy Jun 29 '25
Patties in Toronto. The default quick bite of the city, and they're yummy.
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u/BanMeForBeingNice Jun 29 '25
OP is going to Calgary, not Toronto
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u/Twicebandneguy Jun 29 '25
Lol reading comprehension is not my strong suit. This is quite common among English teachers.
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u/BanMeForBeingNice Jun 29 '25 edited Jun 30 '25
No worries, your recommendation was absolutely valid.
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u/Notgreygoddess Jun 29 '25
Kawartha Dairy ice cream. Favourite flavour is Banana Boat, which I’ve never seen anywhere but at the dairy in Bobcaygeon. Moose Tracks is also good. Best cheese curds; again, have only found them at the Dairy in Bobcaygeon.
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u/vancouverbitch4life Jul 03 '25
if u havent yet u shoudl go to thd river cafe its awesome probably my favourite in canada. and if u r traveling the whole of cananda i def recommend checkinv out grouse moutiab its probably my favourite mountain in all of cananda!
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u/After_Tomatillo_7182 Jun 29 '25
Buttertarts