Tagged : Fast Food

in Travel
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Schwartz’s Deli Montreal

Smoked meat lovers rejoice! Schwartz’s Deli on Boulevard St. Laurent in Montreal is a local institution. The dingy diner style deli achingly in need of a makeover is the real deal. The sandwiches are delicious, and the whole experience is a throwback to another time. The fact that this place thrives on a street that has been transformed from once humble roots, to a street of boutiques, swanky restaurants, and big brand names is a testament to the idea that content is king. Authenticity trumps all else. A good product always wins.

Schwartz’s has been around for over 80 years and is a must on the Montreal eating circuit. Tourists and foodies alike will find appreciation in the simplicity of the great Montreal Smoked Meat. C’est tres bon!

in Travel

La Banquise Montreal

Best Poutine in Montreal

Poutine Hot Dog from La Banquise

La Banquise seems to be the de facto poutine standard from most people I talk to in Montreal. Equal parts tourist attraction and local poutine haunt, this is the place to go with over 25 different types of poutine on their menu. They also serve a good selection of local beer to complement your poutine experience.

In the summer months there’s a nice terrace out back to enjoy the eating.

Open 24 hours, this place is usually fairly busy, so you may want to avoid peak dining hours like 6pm. At odd times it’s easy to get a seat, but at peak times the line can be out the door.

If you’re looking for the best poutine in Montreal definitely check out La Banquise and also read The Great Montreal Poutine Diary which chronicles my adventures in poutinism.

in Travel

The Great Montreal Poutine Diary

In the Spring of 2008 I went to the highly recommended poutine establishment La Banquise in Montréal — supposedly the best poutine in Montréal. A delicious first round left me daydreaming of a place where I could eat poutine to my heart’s content without any cares to the potential health issues. What ensued was a personal challenge to eat/mange my way through the 25 different types of poutine, one at a time, on every subsequent trip to Montréal. Surely these trips would be well spaced enough to allow my poor body time to recuperate. The following is an account of my artery clogging journey.

 

Poutine #1 - Classic Poutine - Spring 2008

Poutine #1 - Classic Poutine - Spring 2008

Poutine #2 - Hot Dog Poutine - Fall 2008

Poutine #2 - Hot Dog Poutine - Fall 2008

Poutine #3 - Veggie Poutine (take-out) - Later Fall 2008

Poutine #3 - Poutine Rachel/Veggie Poutine (take-out) - Later Fall 2008

Update: September 13, 2010
So in between my last trip and now La Banquise has actually added 3 new kinds of poutine bringing the grand total to 28. I need to come here more often. This kind of negative progress is disenchanting! On another note, I’ve also decided not to follow a completely linear order, but instead skip around the menu a bit. You know…keep life interesting.

Poutine #4 - Poutine Bacon - September 2010

Poutine #5 - Poutine Matty - September 2010

Poutine #6 - Poutine T-Rex - September 2010

The La Banquise Poutine Menu / My Poutine Checklist as of September 13, 2010

in Misc Bin

Human Centered Design and Self Serve Lids

This post isn’t meant to be a rant, but more to show how poorly designed or thought out many things that we interact with on a regular basis are. The coffee shop I go to nearly every morning when in my hometown has unintentionally labeled their coffee cream canisters for left handed people, so any right handed person is constantly re-arranging the containers to see the label, but then turning them back around to pour. The obvious solution would be to label both sides.

The photo above is from a Quizno’s sandwich shop where the staff dutifully refilled the disposable soda lids and filled the container to capacity. The staff should be commended for their diligence, but in practicality by filling up the container with lids right to the edge it is nearly impossible to get one lid out without removing all of them.

In this case I think neither the staff, nor the company designing the container had given much thought to user interface. What is interesting is that I am willing to bet that this lid container exists in many other Quizno’s shops. Mass production of things that don’t work.

User interface is not just for gadgets and computer software. It is also for basic tools and implements, and should actually be emphasized for basic things that we interact with in our daily lives.

in Wine & Food
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Burger 55 The Best Burger in Penticton

Burger 55 is without a doubt the best burger in Penticton, and very possibly one of the best burgers in the Okanagan. The place is an eclectic transformation of an old back-lot tire shack into a gourmet burger shop, and makes for a great lunch or dinner stop.

The menu is a full custom order sheet where you choose everything from bun to meat to condiments and offers burger customization beyond anything I have ever seen.

On this particular occasion (my second trip to Burger 55), I walk into the burger chefs making patties from a stack of freshly ground beef balls. This is a good sign! Not too many people make the patty from scratch like this.

The “Burger of the Month” is a lamb patty which I proceed to dress with goat cheese, apple caramel bbq sauce, grainy dijon mustard, tomato, spinach, dill pickle and a good old fashioned white sesame bun. The selection of all condiments is unparalleled and almost dizzying, but if stuck for ideas I’m sure the friendly staff can help you.

The Burger 55 appears from the outside to be a glorified concession stand, but don’t be fooled. This is serious foodie goodness.

Burger 55 is located at 85 Westminster Avenue East in Penticton, BC (Click for Map)

in Snapshots, Wine & Food
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Holy Crêpe

The start of the Farmers Market in Penticton is always exciting as it marks the beginning of the good eating season. After a winter of eating pale flavourless vegetables we can go back to the glory of eating from the garden. Waking up and going straight to Carol’s crêpe cart for breakfast is also quickly becoming one of the highlights of Saturday morning. Ahh food. It’s so great. And even greater served with a French accent. Bon appetit!