Carny Food at the Ottawa Bluesfest [Events]
Here is the food line on Saturday afternoon.
Jul 6
I did not buy any food on Saturday, but peole let me take pictures of their food, when I asked nicely.
They asked; "Why did I want a picture of their food?". I responded with; "It's for a website called 'Ottawa Foodies'".
One person even wrote down the URL. (Hello New Person !!)
I think the dish in this picture was Pad Thai.
Jul 6
Eating at the BluesFest is like eating at a Church picnic.
Always a balancing act and with a napkin clutched between the fingers.
Butter Chicken.
Does anyone recognize this dish ?
Jul 6
Ahhh yes ... For the Standard Blues lover .... you have the Standard Hamburger and fries.
Not a bad looking bun, for carny food.
Jul 6
The guy that had this smoked meat sandwich was just woofing it down.
He said it was pretty good.
Jul 6
And for those not into carny food and since strawberries are in season ....
And you look like you're off to a Strawberry Social, then stawberries it is !!
Food line at night.
Jul 6
I had the burger and fries pictured above, from Friday's Organic by the River stage (not the main food area). It was very good and the fries were killer. At $9 it's pretty much the average price for a full meal.
There was too much music to catch last night so food wasn't a priority and I settled for a veggie slice from Pizza Pizza. Blech.
Beer-wise the options are dire, with nasty draft Canadian, Rickards Red and Coors Light at most beer tents for $5.50. If you can find the martini lounge tent (near the cancer charity booth) you'll discover that they sell tallboy cans of Creemore for $7. But they usually run out around 8pm.
There was too much music to catch last night so food wasn't a priority and I settled for a veggie slice from Pizza Pizza. Blech.
Beer-wise the options are dire, with nasty draft Canadian, Rickards Red and Coors Light at most beer tents for $5.50. If you can find the martini lounge tent (near the cancer charity booth) you'll discover that they sell tallboy cans of Creemore for $7. But they usually run out around 8pm.
Jul 6
Then you need one of these to avoid the lineups & nasty portapotties: www.stadiumpal.com/
(go here www.youtube.com to watch David Sedaris read his essay on male fashion & the Stadium Pal - hilarious)
(go here www.youtube.com to watch David Sedaris read his essay on male fashion & the Stadium Pal - hilarious)
Jul 6
The BeerBelly and the Stadium Pal ... two great products I wish I had in my university daze .... (yes, I mean daze).
Unfortunately I already have a sizable beerbelly, so I have to stick to my "Pocket Pal" ... Mr. Flaskey . He keeps the booze flowin' at the Boozefest without having to empty the wallet.
Boy those coolers (with lots of ice) taste soooo much better with a shot (or two) of extra vodka. Or for a change up, it's rum and coke or rye and ginger. Mixed on site.
Now I'm off to pack my picnic lunch .... a Mid East Mezze (مَزة,) today ... complete with makanek and soujouk sasauges, Bulgarian feta cheese, Macedonian pinjur (quite similar to ajvar food 397), fresh baby cucumbers, homemade babaganouj and hummus, fresh (yesterday) pita, pistashios, peanuts from the Sudan, dates, and some sweets from may fave Mid East store (Al-Kalaa Mini Market vendor 1517)).
Maybe I should have some Arak in Mr. Flaskey today.
Jul 6
The second indian picture is the pakoras at Roses Cafe. I had the butter chicken and the sauce was watered down and the rice wasn't fully cooked. I can make better at home myself!
I had the Chicken Devine, which is pretty good value. It's challenge to try to eat it without making a mess. Mr. Nanookie had a shawarma which he said was pretty good.
As for the beer/alcohol, please send them an email. I'm already going to comment on the wine situation. For an Ontario festival that prides itself on promoting local/Canadian talent, the wine list is pretty sad. All imports. :(
I had the Chicken Devine, which is pretty good value. It's challenge to try to eat it without making a mess. Mr. Nanookie had a shawarma which he said was pretty good.
As for the beer/alcohol, please send them an email. I'm already going to comment on the wine situation. For an Ontario festival that prides itself on promoting local/Canadian talent, the wine list is pretty sad. All imports. :(
Jul 7
I had the smoked meat combo last night (sandwich and fries) for $9.50. It was pretty damn good. My girlfriend had a vegetarian dish from Roses and she liked it too. No real complaints about the food but they ran out of Creemore by 6pm!
Jul 9
I too had the burger and fries at the organic station by the River stage. I had the veggie burger and fries and it was $10 not $9!! I guess I got ripped....
The burger was a soy burger, tasty but just OK. The bun was whole wheat which was nice and yes, the fries were wicked! The complaint though was they had a 9ish year old kid taking orders and it was mayhem. Could have gotten away without paying, he wasn't taking money...he was pretty overwhelmed with all the orders! My friend had the organic beef burger and said it was really good.
Another night I had the vegetarian spring rolls from the main food area. RIP OFF!! I mean I was expecting it to be expensive but 5 little bite size rolls with a small dipping (either plum or sweet n' sour) for $6.50!! C'mon!
The burger was a soy burger, tasty but just OK. The bun was whole wheat which was nice and yes, the fries were wicked! The complaint though was they had a 9ish year old kid taking orders and it was mayhem. Could have gotten away without paying, he wasn't taking money...he was pretty overwhelmed with all the orders! My friend had the organic beef burger and said it was really good.
Another night I had the vegetarian spring rolls from the main food area. RIP OFF!! I mean I was expecting it to be expensive but 5 little bite size rolls with a small dipping (either plum or sweet n' sour) for $6.50!! C'mon!
Jul 9
Foodlover, you didn't get ripped off on the veggie burger combo, it does cost a dollar more. I agree with you about the chaos at the cash. I was overcharged twice until I finally got it sorted out.
Jul 10
The only food item (assuming beer doesn't count) I have had at Bluesfest has been a lemonade. Personally, it was a bitter experience (sorry!) at $3.75 for a watered down lemonade.
We did notice that the café in the War Museum (open until 10pmish) serves food, including a variety of healthy choices, coffee and BEER, for signficantly cheaper than outside. Plus it's air conditioned and has lots of tables should you need a break.
We did notice that the café in the War Museum (open until 10pmish) serves food, including a variety of healthy choices, coffee and BEER, for signficantly cheaper than outside. Plus it's air conditioned and has lots of tables should you need a break.
Captain Caper
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Saw that the food vendors were all lined up in the main 'arena' area. It looked worse than a Mall Food Court, but then again it was quite "Carny" ....(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carny)
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Ok Lets fill this thread with:
1) Your favorite picks of all the Blues-Fest food
2) The best deals and the total ripoffs
3) The "I tried _____ and I reccomend that the rest of the foodies to stay away from _____" warnings
4) The carny foods from past Blues-Fests that are truly missed
5) Pictures, Pictures, Pictures (You all know how the Captain loves pics)
6) AND Forget all that carny food. .... What do Ottawa Foodies like to bring in their picnic baskets ?