Why is there... [General]
2011 Feb 2
What about places like DiRienzo Foods, Hintonburger, and Tennessy Willems?
At the risk of over-generalizing, Americans tend to embrace their preferences wholeheartedly without second guessing -- that's why religion and sports allegiances are so huge there. Where an American says, "This is THE sandwich place -- nothing else compares!" a Canadian will say, "They make a great sandwich." There's a fundamental difference there.
The American approach allows a business with a good product to become an icon that is passed down through generations. That's my explanation for why they have more fodder for food shows. Also, they have bigger cities and more people. ;-)
At the risk of over-generalizing, Americans tend to embrace their preferences wholeheartedly without second guessing -- that's why religion and sports allegiances are so huge there. Where an American says, "This is THE sandwich place -- nothing else compares!" a Canadian will say, "They make a great sandwich." There's a fundamental difference there.
The American approach allows a business with a good product to become an icon that is passed down through generations. That's my explanation for why they have more fodder for food shows. Also, they have bigger cities and more people. ;-)
2011 Feb 2
I also think portion size may have something to do with how the places on DD&D are selected. I'm not sure they would show anyplace that served modestly sized meals. In my travels in the states, I would say this is one of the biggest differences between the two countries. I knew a diner on I-75 that served a full pound of bacon on their BLT. It was ridiculous, obscene even, yet the place was hugely popular and all in attendance pronounced it delicious. For some people huge portions = a great meal experience. Arguably, this might be less the case in Canada, although I do know someone who recommended a local restaurant to me recently with the selling point that "they give you so much meat it's just floppin' over the side of the plate!"
I have had lots of great, cheap,fresh homemade food in Canada. Not sure why some of these places failed in the second generation, but I don't think any of them served sandwiches with a full pound of bacon.
I have had lots of great, cheap,fresh homemade food in Canada. Not sure why some of these places failed in the second generation, but I don't think any of them served sandwiches with a full pound of bacon.
2011 Feb 2
Blubarry
I've always believed that things like soul food and rich food in general had to have bigger portions. It's comfort food. I do think though some of the stuff on triple D is kinda over the line. I'm a big fan of this type of food though. I love American soul food and other more rich cuisine like Indian.
And FF, yes I was thinking of DiRienzo foods as I made that initial post.( i apologize intial post isn't very clear - have a bad headache)
I've always believed that things like soul food and rich food in general had to have bigger portions. It's comfort food. I do think though some of the stuff on triple D is kinda over the line. I'm a big fan of this type of food though. I love American soul food and other more rich cuisine like Indian.
And FF, yes I was thinking of DiRienzo foods as I made that initial post.( i apologize intial post isn't very clear - have a bad headache)
2011 Feb 2
I do agree with you FreshFoodie on your reasons. The USA is a very individualistic society so I don't think people allign as much with big chains. I think its for the same reasons that chefs are willing to take a risk and open up these really unique places (which are often risky) because the population as a whole seem open to it. It seems in Canada people just allign with the more well known places around..and the rest have it hard.
2011 Feb 2
I also watch that show and think how great the food looks. We are going to visit our son in Charlotte NC and I have made a note of some of the diners that were reviewed. Let you know how that works out.
On A and K grocery bag show, they made recipes from the 1st diners, drive ins cookbook, but did not give it a very good rating. They felt that the cookbook had been rushed, food not very flavourful.
Fresh Foodie, My Place is "the" place to go for good food in Smiths Falls. (It is a restaurant -not bragging about my cooking)
On A and K grocery bag show, they made recipes from the 1st diners, drive ins cookbook, but did not give it a very good rating. They felt that the cookbook had been rushed, food not very flavourful.
Fresh Foodie, My Place is "the" place to go for good food in Smiths Falls. (It is a restaurant -not bragging about my cooking)
2011 Feb 3
I love that show SO MUCH.
But i disagree that we're lacking this style of food place in O-Town.
Try:
Dirienzo for the sandwiches
Dick's for the burgers and rings
Hintonburger for the burgers
Yre's for the bird
Broadway's (i know, i know, but still...) for the brunch
Won Ton House for anything
that place on Somerset that makes the awesome vietnamese subs
and any La Belle Provence in Gatineau, just on principle.
But i disagree that we're lacking this style of food place in O-Town.
Try:
Dirienzo for the sandwiches
Dick's for the burgers and rings
Hintonburger for the burgers
Yre's for the bird
Broadway's (i know, i know, but still...) for the brunch
Won Ton House for anything
that place on Somerset that makes the awesome vietnamese subs
and any La Belle Provence in Gatineau, just on principle.
2011 Feb 3
For all the places you see on DDD - you gotta remember there are a lot of crap places/chains (Friendly's anyone?). There are a lot of people/restaurants in the states - look at a map of where they've actually filed the show (available on their web site) - I think you get lucky if you've got a great place near you, its not a given. The one other comment I've heard is once DDD visits, you won't be able to get a seat in the restaurant, they get overwhelled. If places like this were really common, they wouldn't be swamped once they were called out on DDD. I'll test this out, as I'm planning on visiting Ted Peters smoked fish in Tampa area during spring break.
2011 Feb 3
dsbbq.ca/
Recently discovered this gem of a place. They've only been open for 19months. They are off the beaten path but worth every km!!
The best ribs ever!...Awesome brisket and pulled pork sandwiches.
All homemade food!!
Clean.
Good selection for the kids' menu.
Delicious deserts.
Worth the drive!!!
Recently discovered this gem of a place. They've only been open for 19months. They are off the beaten path but worth every km!!
The best ribs ever!...Awesome brisket and pulled pork sandwiches.
All homemade food!!
Clean.
Good selection for the kids' menu.
Delicious deserts.
Worth the drive!!!
2011 Feb 3
Found a better map than the one on the DDD website. It is a Food TV map with many more shows (DDD included). I plan to use it when planning trips.
www.tvfoodmaps.com
www.tvfoodmaps.com
2011 Feb 3
Love DD&D...the guy really loves his food!
I think it also has alot to do with numbers. There's what 260 mil people in the US and 32 mil here.
There are many regional franchises in the pockets of areas in the US with 20-30 outlets that I've never heard of.
Plus the show is about such places, so they are going to stand out.
I think it also has alot to do with numbers. There's what 260 mil people in the US and 32 mil here.
There are many regional franchises in the pockets of areas in the US with 20-30 outlets that I've never heard of.
Plus the show is about such places, so they are going to stand out.
2011 Feb 4
Spud guy nails the key point - ten times the population.
Plus, don't forget a lot of the places he goes are in Bear's Ass North Dakota or whatever. It's not like he's going door to door in South Beach Miami every ep.
He also has a staff of people who go out and find these places and/or email him about them. And then he goes there and eats like a pig i hate him i HATE HIM SO MUCH. Okay, it's mostly envy but it's finished with a glaze of hate sauce.
Plus, don't forget a lot of the places he goes are in Bear's Ass North Dakota or whatever. It's not like he's going door to door in South Beach Miami every ep.
He also has a staff of people who go out and find these places and/or email him about them. And then he goes there and eats like a pig i hate him i HATE HIM SO MUCH. Okay, it's mostly envy but it's finished with a glaze of hate sauce.
2014 Jan 6
@live4food re "Found a better map ... www.tvfoodmaps.com"
...just spotted this post. Tried the site. Going to US soon. SO HAPPY!
...just spotted this post. Tried the site. Going to US soon. SO HAPPY!
2014 Jan 9
I went to reggies hot grill in Peterborough and caplanskys deli in Toronto based on watching episodes of you gotta eat here. Both were amazing. I try to work a spot or two off either DDD or you gotta eat here into every road trip I go on. Was shopping in Syracuse before Christmas and went to Pastabilities for dinner, Guy was bang on on this one as well. Haven't been to a DDD place yet that I didn't like.
iheartsamosa
Now if you've seen this show the diners, drive-ins, dives, in this show are like nothing I've seen in Canada. All this amazing food, freshly cooked. These places usually create most of the things from their menu from scratch, their sauces, cheeses, breads, etc Gourmet sandwiches that look amazing. Pizzas that are so unique. Major upgrades on simple foods.
As I watch this, I ask myself, Why are there no such places in Canada?