Welcome back to “Street Eats” where we discover some of the best, and worst, street foods from around the world. Today, we’re taking a trip to Canada’s capital city. Ottawa, a city whose name is actually derived from the Algonquin word adawe, meaning “to trade” takes a lot of flack when compared to the bigger, more “exciting” neighbouring cities of Toronto and Montreal. In truth however, Ottawa is a wonderful place to enjoy a weekend getaway or summer escape when visitors can enjoy one of the many festivals taking place throughout the year, a great selection of museums and historical monuments, a stroll through Byward Market, or a visit to Gatineau; just a hop, skip and a jump across the St.Lawrence River.
An international hub and home to many diplomats and parliamentarians, the city boasts exquisite cuisine, from fine dining to some of my favourite Canadian street foods. From the specialty cheese shops and fruit stands that clutter the market on the weekends, to restaurants like The Black Tomato or afternoon tea at the historic Fairmont Chateau Laurier, there really is something for every visitor to enjoy. That being said, when it comes to tasting typically Canadian cuisine, my vote goes to…
#1 Street Snack in Ottawa: Beaver Tails
I wanted to say poutine, I really did. But the fact is, it was up against a beaver tail for goodness sake. Seriously, does it get more Canadian than that?
What is it?
A Beaver Tail is not really a beaver’s tail – we’re not that barbaric (most of us). It is however, a delicious pastry somewhere in between a crepe and Hungarian Lángos. It’s fried and not at all healthy, but topped with your choice of sweet or savoury (cinnamon and sugar is by far the most popular) it’s the perfect way to end a skate on a winter’s day, or provide you with that extra boost of energy during summer months. Read more
